Australia eVisitor Subclass 651 Explained

An Australia eVisitor is a legal authority given to foreigners from eligible countries to travel to Australia for a holiday or to take up business trips that do not exceed 90 days at a time. International travelers are required to apply for this visa from outside Australia before their journey. They can apply online through the official website of Australian immigration. Read on to know more about the Australia eVisitor visa.

Keep in mind the ETA for Australia is the easiest of visas to get, but it’s only eligible for certain nationalities.

What is the Australia eVisitor?

This is an Australian visa granted to citizens of select nations for visiting the country temporarily. The stay is limited to three months per visit.  The visa will be digitally linked to the passport and hence officials at the port of entry will not stamp or label the passport.  

What Is It Used For?

Foreigners can enter the country as a tourist on an Australia eVisitor visa. They can explore various tourist destinations that the country is known for and take up training programs or a course of study for three months. 

This is restricted to courses in sectors other than the healthcare industry. To attend training in this industry, the applicants need to undergo extensive medical evaluation in hospitals approved by the Australian foreign affairs ministry and apply for an Australia visitor visa (subclass 600).

Also, if the main purpose of their visit is to study, they should opt for a student visa. To enter Australia on a cruise, visitors need a visa and an Australia eVisitor grants the authorization required for entering through a seaport. Travelers are advised to check with the tour operation whether the cruise is a round trip with multiple stops along the coast of Australia. 

In such cases, the time spent on the cruise will also be considered part of the legal stay period in the country. The total duration of such a round-trip cruise must not exceed 90 days. Foreign businesspersons can visit the country for a short term using the eVisitor to Australia. They can attend meetings, business conferences, and negotiations when they come on this visa. However, they cannot engage in activities that will earn them money. They cannot trade their products and services with Australians.  

If they want to fund their trip by working in Australia, they can apply for a temporary working visa.    

Who is Eligible for an Australia eVisitor?

International travelers who hold a legal passport issued by the following nations can get this temporary visa: 

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Republic of San Marino
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom – British Citizen
• Vatican City

Note that foreigners who have non-citizen passports, identity certificates or any other authorized travel documents from the above nations cannot apply for the Australian eVisitor. The same goes for travelers with a British Overseas Citizen passport and similar travel documents issued by the UK government.    

What is Needed to Get This Visa

To receive this visa, foreigners from entitled nations have to fulfill certain conditions.  

Australian ETA VS eVisitor

Australia has two types of visa waivers for a few eligible foreign countries for short-term stays up to 90 days. The Australian electronic travel authority allows citizens of select nations to apply for a visa using the official mobile application. In most cases, the visa will be delivered in a few hours. 

The Australian eVisitor allows travelers from eligible countries to apply for a visa online using an ImmiAccount. This facility is mainly granted to nations in Europe. The major difference between the two visa types is the countries that are eligible and the processing fee. 

Health Requirements

Applicants and their family members need to undergo health examinations in medical facilities approved by the Australian government. 

The test results will be verified by a medical officer of the commonwealth and if they have any condition that threatens Australia’s public healthcare system, they may be denied their Australian visa. Tourists are encouraged to have medical insurance before planning their trip as they will be solely liable for bearing the expenses of health emergencies during the stay.  

Character Requirements

Foreigners with criminal convictions cannot visit the country with an Australia eVisitor visa. They have to apply for an Australia visitor visa subclass 600. Such applicants have to submit police verification certificates from all the countries that they have been to.  

Visitors arriving on an eVisitor visa will be refused entry at the airports or seaports in Australia if they are criminally inadmissible. An Australian eVisitor visa is issued exclusively for short-term visits for tourism and commerce. Applicants should be genuine visitors and should leave Australia when the permitted visiting time comes to an end. 

They are also required to comply with all the visa conditions. They should also bear their travel, medical, and accommodation expenses while in Australia, as they are not allowed to work.   

How to Apply?

Foreigners can apply for an Australian eVisitor online. They have to create an ImmiAccount on the official website of Australian Immigration and fill out the online application form.  

Be sincere while submitting identity and other information. If they provide wrong details or upload bogus documents, they will be denied a visa and will be banned from applying for an Australian visa for up to 10 years. In most cases, the Australian immigration authorities inform the applicants of the status of their application via the registered email address within 12 hours of the application. They can also check the status of their ImmiAccount.  

Based on the type of visa or the country of their nationality, the applicants may be asked to give their biometric details. For this, they have to physically visit the Australian biometrics collection center at the visa application center in their respective countries. 

Validity of An Australian eVisitor

The Australian government issues this visa for a period of 12 months. This is a temporary visa with multiple entries. Visa holders can visit the country many times and remain in the country for a maximum of three months at a time.  

The visa cannot be extended and if its validity ends, travelers need to apply for a new visa from outside Australia. The validity of an eVisitor starts on the day it is issued. 

The processing time for the visa is one day. However, in some cases, it can go up to six days.  

After Applying for the eVisitor for Australia

After applying for the Australia eVisitor, applicants can expect to receive a response within a few business days, typically delivered via email. The eVisitor visa, once granted, is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport, meaning there is no need for a physical visa label or stamp. Travelers must ensure that they use the same passport for entering Australia as the one linked to their eVisitor visa. Upon arrival at an Australian border, immigration officials will verify the eVisitor visa through the traveler’s passport. It is also advisable to keep a copy of the visa grant email handy for reference during the journey.

Rejection Reasons for eVisitor

Common rejection reasons for the Australia eVisitor subclass 651 visa often revolve around inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the application, as well as issues related to an applicant’s background. Incomplete or incorrect personal information, such as passport details or travel history, can lead to a visa refusal. Additionally, failure to provide necessary supporting documents may result in rejection. Applicants with a criminal history or those who pose a security risk might also face denial, as the Australian government prioritizes the safety of its citizens and visitors. Furthermore, health concerns could impact the outcome of a visa application, especially if an applicant has a significant medical condition that could pose a risk to public health or place an undue burden on Australia’s healthcare system. Lastly, if the immigration authorities suspect that an applicant may not genuinely intend to comply with the visa conditions or has a history of visa non-compliance, the eVisitor visa application may be rejected.

Conclusion

The Australia eVisitor visa offers a convenient and efficient way for eligible foreign nationals to visit Australia for short-term tourism or business purposes. By adhering to the application guidelines, providing accurate information, and understanding the eligibility requirements, travelers can enjoy a smooth process and explore the wonders of Australia. Despite being one of the easiest visas to obtain for certain nationalities, applicants should remain vigilant about common rejection reasons and ensure they meet all necessary health and character requirements.