Tourist/Visitor Visa for travel to Australia

Duration and Conditions

An ETA will allow you to remain in Australia for up to 3 months at a time. It is possible to apply for a vistior/tourist visa with initial validity of either 3 months or 6 months. It is possible to apply for a tourist visa extension from within Australia in some circumstances, and it can also be possible to apply for another type of visa from within Australia to extend your stay here - please contact us if you need further information.

Whilst on a tourist or visitor visa, you will not be permitted to work unless you apply for a new visa in a different category (such as a Business Sponsorship Visa or Partner Visa). If you wish to engage in business activities in Australia for a short time, you should apply for a business visitor visa. If you are aged between 18 and 30, then you may qualify for a 12-month working holiday visa which would allow you to work in Australia.

On a tourist or visitor visa, you are able to engage in a short course of study (under 3 months) if you wish. If you want to study a longer course, you should apply for a student visa.

Do I Apply in Australia or Overseas?

If you hold a passport from an ETA country, you can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through your airline, travel agent or over the internet. It is not possible to apply for an ETA from within Australia.

If you do not hold a passport from an ETA country, you would need to make a formal application for a visitor visa at the nearest DIMIA post.

Criteria

If you wish to enter Australia on a tourist/visitor visa, you must be a genuine visitor on entering Australia. That is, you must enter Australia for one of the following purposes:
- To engage in tourist activities; or
- To visit close relatives in Australia (eg parents, children or a spouse)

If you are from a high risk country, you will need to provide evidence of your commitments in your home country which mean that you will return to Australia after your stay in Australia.

In the case of an ETA, there is no need to provide any information on your financial status. However, if you apply for a tourist/visitor visa through a DIMIA post, then you will need to establish that you have at least A$1,000 per month of intended stay in Australia, plus return airfare.

Sponsored Visitor Visas

If you are from a high risk country or have been refused a visitor visa previously and have relatives living in Australia, then you might consider applying for a sponsored visitor visa. This would in most cases require the payment of a bond by your relatives in Australia, and you would need to return within 3 months of arrival in Australia or the bond would be forfeited. Please contact us if you would like more information on this visa category.