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Australia: Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| British | Yes | No | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | No | Yes |
| Other EU | Yes | No | Yes |
| USA | Yes | No | Yes |
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Passports:
To enter Australia, a valid passport is required by the nationals referred to in chart above. For a working holiday visa, passports must have at least one year remaining before renewal.
Visas:
Visas for Australia are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except those continuing their journey to a third country (who hold confirmation of booking and documentation to enter country) within eight hours of arriving in Australia. Be aware that not all airports remain open all night; travellers should check with the airline.
Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship at the high commission or embassy to check visa requirements for Australia.
Visa note:
Australian visa regulations (including visa application charges) change from time to time. The information provided here is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check this information is still current by visiting the Department of Immigration and Citizenship online (www.immi.gov.au) or by calling the Europe Service Centre (tel: (020) 7420 3690, in the UK; lines open 0900-1600).
Most tourists staying for three months or less will require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia for tourism, short-term business or elective study purposes, that allows multiple entries for stays of up to three months for people from certain countries (see below). The ETA is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, or for the life of the passport if it is less than 12 months. An ETA is invisible and therefore will not show up in your passport.
All nationals referred to in the chart above are currently eligible for an ETA except: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Visitors not eligible for an ETA, or seeking a longer stay than an ETA offers, may apply for a visitor or eVisitor visa.
There are also working holiday visas, student visas, employers' visas for overseas workers and long-term visas for parents of Australian citizens; enquire at the high commission or embassy.
Types and cost:
Transit: free; ETA: free (but a A$20 service charge applies); eVisitor visa: free; visitor visa: A$115.
Note: In 2013, the visitor visa replaced the tourist visa, sponsored family visitor visa, business (short stay) visa and sponsored business visitor (short stay) visa.
Visa fees are generally adjusted on 1 July each year.
Validity:
ETA/eVisitor: 12 months from the date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) and permits multiple entries into Australia for a stay of up to three months on each visit.
Visitor visa: varies according to individual circumstances and will be stated on the visa label in your passport.
Transit:
Citizens of the countries listed in the chart above do not need a transit visa if they have onward flights within eight hours of arriving and remain in the transit lounge. Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above may require a transit visa and should check with the high commission or embassy. Transit visas are free of charge.
Application to:
ETA: Authorised travel agents or airlines or the nearest Australian High Commission or Embassy; some nationals may apply online through the main Department of Immigration and Citizenship (www.eta.immi.gov.au).
eVisitor visa: apply online (www.immi.gov.au).
Visitor visa: Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates.
Temporary residence:
A range of temporary work visas are available for applicants meeting specific requirements; contact the embassy/high commission for further information.
Working days:
ETA applications are usually processed immediately. If you apply for an eVisitor visa, allow two to 10 days. The processing time for visitor visas varies according to the nationality of the applicant and can take anything from one day to a month.
Sufficient funds:
Those entering Australia on a working holiday visa are expected to bring sufficient funds to support their initial stay in the country.
Entry documents:
A passport and relevant visa will be required.
Extension of stay:
Anyone looking to extend their stay will need to apply for a new visa which, if successfully granted, will immediately cancel any other visa held. Those on student visas with a ‘No Further Stay’ condition cannot extend their stay.
Entry with children:
All travellers, regardless of age, require an ETA to visit Australia. If your children have their own passport, you should apply for a separate ETA for each child entering all the details from their passports. If a child is on a parent’s passport, you still need a separate ETA, but should apply using the parent’s passport details as well as the child’s name, date of birth etc, as they appear on the passport.
Entry restrictions:
You must be free of any disease or condition that could pose danger to the community. You must also declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival, to ensure they are free from pests and diseases.
Entry with pets:
All cats and dogs being imported to Australia, whether it be for the first time or returning, must meet strict import conditions set by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (www.daff.gov.au/aqis).
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