Key points
- Both the eVisitor (subclass 651) and the ETA (subclass 601) are electronic authorizations for short tourism and business trips to Australia.
- Which one you apply for is decided by your nationality, not by your itinerary.
- European passport holders use the eVisitor; US, Canadian, Japanese, Singaporean and other eligible nationals use the ETA.
- Both are valid for 12 months, allow multiple entries, and cap each stay at three months.
- The Australian government charges no application fee for the eVisitor and a small fee for the ETA; iVisa's service fee is separate.
Planning a trip to Australia starts with understanding which travel document you need. Most visitors apply for a standard Visitor Visa, but citizens of certain countries can use a streamlined electronic option instead: either the ETA or the eVisitor. Both cover short stays, and which one applies to you comes down to your nationality.
What is an Australia eVisitor visa?
The eVisitor (subclass 651) is an electronic visa for European passport holders travelling for short-term tourism or business. It is valid for twelve months from the date of issue and allows multiple entries, with each stay capped at three months.
It covers tourism, business meetings and short training. It does not allow employment, and any study is limited to three months.
What is an Australia ETA?
The ETA (subclass 601) works in much the same way but for a broader group of nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan and Singapore, among others. Like the eVisitor, it is valid for twelve months, allows multiple entries and limits each stay to three months.
It covers tourism, business activities and short-term events. Employment and extended study are not permitted.
Which visa do you need?
Your nationality decides which document you apply for. European passport holders apply for the eVisitor, while eligible North American and Asian nationals apply for the ETA. The two share the same benefits and validity period, so nationality alone determines the choice.
On cost, the two differ. The Australian government charges no application fee for the eVisitor, while the ETA has no visa application charge, only a small government service charge. If you apply through iVisa, an iVisa service fee applies on top of any government charge, and it covers the assisted online application and support.
This is general guidance rather than legal advice. For the definitive eligibility and fee details, check the official Australian Department of Home Affairs information.
How to apply
- Enter your personal information and travel details through the iVisa website or app.
- Review your information, choose a processing option and complete payment.
- Submit your application and upload any required documents. You will receive your approval notification by email.
Why apply with iVisa
iVisa is a private travel-document service, not a government website. When you apply through the platform you get:
- A guided online application with no face scanning
- Application support in multiple languages
- The ability to pause and resume your application
- Around-the-clock human customer service
- Document upload without needing an NFC-enabled phone
- Several payment options, including PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay, Apple Pay and major cards
Questions?
If you have questions about your application or about the visa requirements, iVisa’s customer support is available through WhatsApp or online chat.
