Foreign Travelers Need Visas to Visit Australia
Country Allows Lengthy Application Form to be Filed Online
Sep 7, 2009
Australia covers all its bases when it comes to visas for travelers. There are visas for tourists, students, visitors seeking health care, workers and retirees as well as those moving to the country to become citizens.
Tourist Visas to Australia
Most people will be concerned with tourist visas, which are good for up to three months. There are essentially two kinds of visas: ETA and tourist visa, both of which can be applied for online, at the embassy or a consulate, visa service, travel agent or airline. ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authority. Australia does not put a visa stamp in passports, but rather maintains this information electronically.
U.S. Citizens Eligible for ETA Visas
Embassy websites maintain a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for ETA visas. The United States is one of those countries. The application form for ETA visas, as well as all other visas, can be found on the Australian Embassy’s U.S. website. Instructions and the application form are 11 pages long. The ETA visa application can be completed and submitted online with the necessary documentation submitted as attachments. Citizens of some countries can also apply for a tourist visa online.
Documentation required by the Australian includes:
- Passport. A certified copy of the main page with biographical information and visa pages is acceptable. Travelers who require a visa label in the passport cannot do the online application and must submit the actual passport.
- A recent passport photograph.
- Service fee, which can be paid by credit card for those applying online. Australia does not charge a visa fee, but does levy a $20AUD (less than $17US) to process ETA visa applications.
Australia Puts Limits on Tourist Visas
A visitor on an ETA visa is not permitted to work, though the embassy says volunteer work might be allowed in certain instances. Studying up to three months is permitted; otherwise the traveler will need a student visa.
All visas must be applied for before entering Australia. The ETA visa cannot be renewed inside the country. Travelers who want to stay longer will be required to apply for another type of visa.
Regular Tourist Visa Can Be Renewed Inside Australia
U.S. citizens can also apply for a tourist visa. The embassy recommends this type of visa for travelers who have a criminal conviction, as visitors with criminal records who have ETA visas can be denied entry into the country. The tourist visa can be renewed inside Australia.
The government recommends that passports be good for a minimum of six months before the application is made.
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