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Australia ETA or Visa: Which One Do You Need?
iVisa
8 min read
Updated on Feb 16, 2024

Imagine the sun setting over the majestic Sydney Opera House or exploring the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. These are just a snippet of what awaits in Australia, but before the adventure begins, selecting the right visa is essential.

Understanding whether an Australia ETA or a Visitor Visa suits your needs can be perplexing. We’re dedicated to assisting travelers like you in this process. We focus on making the visa application experience more manageable and less overwhelming. Our team takes on the detailed work of visa applications, allowing you to concentrate on the exciting aspects of your Australian trip.

Start your Australian journey with us. We’re committed to guiding you through the visa process quickly and accurately, so you can eagerly anticipate your time exploring the wonders of Australia. Ready to set off on your adventure? Let's get your journey underway!

Australia view waterfront

What is an Australia Visa?

A visa is essentially your entry ticket to a foreign nation. It's an official document or a stamp in your passport that proves you meet the criteria to visit a specific country. Now, let's talk about the Australia visa.

An Australia visa is a formal permit allowing travelers to enter, stay, and travel within Australia for a specified period. With an Australian visa, you can engage in activities like longer-term tourism, business meetings, or academic conferences. Some types of Australian visas also permit you to study or work in the country, depending on the visa subclass you obtain.

However, there are limitations. An Australia visa doesn’t allow indefinite stay; each visa type has a set duration. Additionally, working or studying is generally restricted unless explicitly permitted by the specific visa subclass you hold.

Australia visa options: A detailed guide for every traveler

Australia offers a diverse range of visa options to suit different travel purposes.

  1. Visitor Visas: Ideal for tourists, business visitors, or family visits. These are short-term visas allowing for travel, leisure activities, or short business trips.

  2. Student Visas: For those seeking education in Australia, including vocational training and higher education. Applicants must be enrolled in a course of study.

  3. Family and Partner Visas: For joining a spouse, de facto partner, or family members in Australia. Requires a family relationship with an Australian resident or citizen. This category includes partner, parent, and child visas.

  4. Working and Skilled Visas: For skilled workers, both temporary and permanent options, based on employment offers or skills assessments.

  5. Humanitarian and Refugee Visas: For asylum seekers and refugees needing protection. Applicants must meet Australia's protection obligations.

  6. Working Holiday Visas: For young adults (18-30) to travel and work for up to a year. Requires a passport from an eligible country.

  7. Transit Visas: For travelers passing through Australia for up to 72 hours. Ideal for those connecting to other international flights.

  8. Resident Return Visas: For former Australian permanent residents or citizens to maintain or regain their status.

  9. Bridging Visas: Issued during the processing of another visa application to maintain legal status in Australia.

  10. Medical Treatment Visas: For those seeking medical treatment or consultations. Requires proof of treatment plans and financial means.

  11. Protection and Refugee Visas: For individuals in Australia who fear persecution in their home country.

Each category has its own eligibility criteria and application requirements, tailored to the purpose of your travel. It's important to choose the visa that aligns with your reasons for visiting Australia to ensure compliance with immigration policies.

Australia ETA vs Visitor Visa: Differences between both

An Australia ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is an electronic visa for tourism or short-term business visits, available to nationals from certain visa-exempt countries. It's digitally linked to your passport and allows multiple entries into Australia, each stay can be up to three months within a twelve-month validity period.

EVERYTHING you need to know about the Australia ETA.

The Australia Visitor Visa is a more traditional visa that offers greater flexibility in terms of stay duration and activities. It includes various streams like tourist, business, sponsored family, or frequent traveler, catering to a broader range of nationalities. The Australia Visitor Visa can allow stays ranging from three months up to one year, depending on the specific stream.

EVERYTHING you need to know about the Australia Visitor Visa.

The Australia eVisitor Visa is specifically designed for EU citizens. Similar to the ETA, it's an electronic visa for short-term tourism or business purposes, permitting multiple entries with each stay up to three months over a 12-month period. The main difference between the eVisitor Visa and the Visitor Visa lies in the applicant's nationality and the simplicity of the application process, with the eVisitor Visa offering a more streamlined approach for EU citizens.

EVERYTHING you need to know about the Australia eVisitor Visa.

Here’s an easier way to understand the difference between the three visa types.

Criteria Australia ETA Australia Visitor Visa Australia eVisitor Visa
Definition Electronic visa for tourism or business Traditional visa for tourism, business, or family visits Electronic visa for EU citizens for tourism or business
Duration 12 months, multiple entries Varies (up to 12 months), multiple entries 12 months, multiple entries
Eligibility Visa-exempt countries Broader range of nationalities EU citizens only
Activities Permitted Tourism, business visits Tourism, business visits, family visits Tourism, business visits
Restrictions No work/study over 3 months Restrictions vary by stream No work/study over 3 months
Application Process Online Online, may require more documentation and biometrics appointment Online
Stay Duration Up to 3 months per visit Up to 3, 6, 9, or 12 months per visit Up to 3 months per visit

When to choose ETA vs. Visitor Visa: Decision-making factors

When deciding between an Australia ETA and a Visa, several factors need to be considered to determine which is the best fit for your travel needs.

The most significant factor is your nationality. The ETA is currently only available to citizens of 33 countries. In contrast, the Visitor Visa is open to a broader range of nationalities, and the eVisitor Visa is specifically for European Union citizens.

The purpose of your visit and your intended duration of stay are two other factors that will determine which visa type to choose. Both the ETA and eVisitor visas are intended for tourists or short-term business visits, allowing for multiple entries within a 12-month period, with each stay not exceeding three months.

The Visitor Visa, however, offers more flexibility, with options for longer stays depending on the visa stream, making it suitable for longer-term tourism, business, sponsored family visits, and other specific purposes.

Application process for Australia ETA

Applying for an ETA with iVisa offers a unique approach, ensuring that your visa application process is comfortable and effective. We focus on customer satisfaction, making sure every step is easy to follow and supportive.

Here's how you can easily apply with us:

  • Step 1: Enter your personal and travel details on our website or via the iVisa app.

  • Step 2: Verify that all the information you’ve provided is accurate, and choose your preferred processing time. Pay the fees with a credit or debit card, PayPal, or Venmo.

  • Step 3: Complete the rest of the application form, upload the required documents, and submit it.

Once you’re done, our team will take care of all the necessary steps to ensure your application is successful. You can rest easy knowing that professionals are handling your application. When your ETA is processed, you’ll receive it directly via email.

Apply now for your ETA!

Application process for Australia Visitor Visa

Applying for an Australia Visitor Visa through us means choosing a service that understands the importance of your travel plans and dedicates itself to facilitating a positive application experience.

Here’s the easy step-by-step process for applying:

  • Step 1: Enter your personal and travel details on our website or via the iVisa app.

  • Step 2: Verify that all the information you’ve provided is accurate and pay the fees with a credit or debit card, PayPal, or Venmo. For the eVisitor Visa application, choose your preferred processing time before making the payment.

  • Step 3: Complete the rest of the application form, upload the required documents, and submit it.

  • Step 4: If a visa appointment is necessary for your Visitor Visa application, we’ll book one on your behalf at the nearest Australian embassy, consulate, or visa application center.

Apply now for your Visitor Visa!

Cost comparison: Fees and charges

The visa fee for an Australia ETA is approximately $13, while that of a Visitor Visa is approximately $126. The eVisitor Visa is free.

Choosing to apply through us comes at an additional cost. This fee is a worthwhile investment for applicants seeking a more streamlined and supportive visa application process. It includes professional review and application assistance, ensuring you get extra help and ease throughout the process.

To find out the precise cost of the Australia ETA and Australia Visitor Visa in your currency, click here:

Processing time comparison: ETA vs. Visitor Visa

Our processing times vary based on the type of visa you apply for.

  • For the Australia ETA, there are two processing speeds: Standard, which takes about 5 days, and Rush, taking roughly 3 days.

  • The Australia Visitor Visa usually has a standard processing time of up to 30 days.

  • For the Australia eVisitor Visa, we provide three options: Standard processing (24 hours), Rush processing (16 hours), and Super Rush processing (12 hours).

Remember, these durations only reflect the processing time with iVisa. They don't include the time the Australian authorities need to review and decide on your application. So, it's wise to apply well before your intended travel date to allow for any unforeseen delays.

Australia tourism views

Conditions and restrictions: What to consider when choosing an Australia Visa

When planning a trip to Australia, it's crucial to understand the specific conditions and restrictions associated with the visa you're applying for. The ETA and eVisitor Visas are designed mainly for short-term tourism or business visits. They permit multiple entries, but each stay must not exceed three months within a 12-month period. Additionally, these visas do not allow holders to work or study for longer than three months.

On the other hand, the Visitor Visa offers more flexibility. It caters to a variety of purposes, including longer tourist stays, business visits, and family reunions. However, the exact conditions, such as work and study limitations, will depend on the specific subclass of the visa.

Choosing an Australia Visa based on your travel needs

Picking the right Australian visa is all about matching your travel goals to the right option. Think about why you're going (like sightseeing or business), how long you want to stay, and where you're from (your home country). Each visa type has its own rules about what you can do and for how long.

We can help make picking and applying for a visa less confusing. We guide you through picking the right visa and handling the paperwork, making the process less stressful for you.

Got questions?

For more information about the ETA or eVisitor Visa, Australia entry requirements, or the other types of Australian visas, you can get in touch with our customer support team. Please send us a message on our live chat or at [email protected].

Disclaimer
  • iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

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