Electronic Travel Authority
Encyclopedia
Electronic visas are issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to some foreign nationals for entry into Australia
. Unlike ordinary visas, when electronic visas are issued, no stamp or other documentation is affixed inside the traveller's passport; instead, the computer-based system links the passport number to the electronic visa and is accessible by immigration officials and airline carriers.
Holders of 44 different passports are eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and/or eVisitor, which is a subset of the ETA for European nations: Most New Zealand citizens entering Australia are granted a Special Category Visa
on arrival, permitting an unlimited length of stay as well as work, and do not need to apply for electronic visas in advance.
As of June 2007, more than 23 million people had been granted ETAs and ETAs accounted for almost 80% of all Australian tourist and short-term business visas granted worldwide.
available to holders of certain passport
s. Established in 1996 to remove the need for some people to apply for full visas
, they can be applied for over the Internet
, through travel agents and through airline
s. Unless there is some problem with the application, the ETA is granted immediately.
ETAs are issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship in three different types:
The short validity tourist and business entrant ETAs are each valid for 1 year or until the date of expiry of the passport (whichever is sooner). The long validity business entrant ETA is valid for the life of the holder's passport. All three types allow entry as often as desired during the validity of the ETA for stays of up to three months (and for a stay up to three months beyond the expiration of the ETA provided entry is during the validity period).
All ETAs permit the holder to study or engage in training in Australia for up to 3 months. Holders of the short validity tourist ETA (subclass 976) are not allowed to work, although limited volunteer work is acceptable. Holders of the short validity and long validity business entrant ETA (subclasses 977 and 956 respectively) are generally not allowed to work, although they are allowed to engage in limited work if, for example, it is highly specialised and not ongoing (generally less than 6 weeks).
At the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia, all holders of an ETA (regardless of which subclass) must be free from tuberculosis and must not have any criminal convictions for which the sentence or sentences (whether served or not) total 12 months or more.
An application for the short validity ETAs (subclasses 976 and 977) attracts a service charge of AU$20. An application for a long validity business ETA (subclass 956) has an application fee of AU$105.
} Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders
} British National (Overseas) passport
holders (cannot apply online and must apply in person) South Korea
Republic of China
(Taiwan
) (must be resident in Taiwan)
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
British National (Overseas)
passports cannot apply for an eVisitor, however they can apply for an ETA (see above). They are subject to additional requirements (they cannot apply online and must apply in person at a travel agent or consulate). Holders of British Subject
, British Overseas Territories Citizen
, British Overseas Citizen
and British Protected Person
passports are not eligible for any electronic visas and must apply for an ordinary tourist visa.
The holder of an e676 visa can study or engage in training in Australia for up to 3 months. Whilst an e676 visa does not permit work in Australia, its holder can do genuine unpaid voluntary work as long as the main purpose of visiting Australia is for tourism (and volunteering is incidental to this) and it would not otherwise have been done, in return for wages, by an Australian resident. The holder is permitted to be provided meals and accommodation or reimbursement for out-of-pocket living expenses connected to the voluntary work.
, have no criminal convictions, have no untreated tuberculosis
and have not been deported, excluded or removed from any country. Qualifying New Zealand citizens are issued with a Special Category Visa
on arrival in Australia, unless they already hold another type of Australian visa, and do not need to apply for any of the above electronic visas prior to travel.
, for example, offers their Visa Waiver Program
to Australian passport-holders, and one of the conditions for joining this scheme is that "Governments provide reciprocal visa-free travel for U.S. citizens for 90 days for tourism or business purposes)". Japan has also granted visa-free access to Australians. United States require from January 2009 similar ETA from citizens of Australia and some more countries. This system is not called visa, but Electronic System for Travel Authorization
, therefore the USA still allows visa-free travel for Australians.
Whilst all countries in the European Union
have access to the ETA system, not all of them regard it as being visa-free travel. As a matter of EU policy
, however, none of them impose reciprocal requirements on Australian nationals for short-term stays. (The United Kingdom
and Ireland
are exempt from this particular EU policy, but still do not impose any short-term visa requirements on Australians.)
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Unlike ordinary visas, when electronic visas are issued, no stamp or other documentation is affixed inside the traveller's passport; instead, the computer-based system links the passport number to the electronic visa and is accessible by immigration officials and airline carriers.
Holders of 44 different passports are eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and/or eVisitor, which is a subset of the ETA for European nations: Most New Zealand citizens entering Australia are granted a Special Category Visa
Special Category Visa
A Special Category Visa is a type of Australian visa granted to most New Zealand citizens on arrival in Australia. New Zealand Citizens may then reside in Australia indefinitely under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.- History :...
on arrival, permitting an unlimited length of stay as well as work, and do not need to apply for electronic visas in advance.
As of June 2007, more than 23 million people had been granted ETAs and ETAs accounted for almost 80% of all Australian tourist and short-term business visas granted worldwide.
Electronic Travel Authority
An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an authorisation for entry to AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
available to holders of certain passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
s. Established in 1996 to remove the need for some people to apply for full visas
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
, they can be applied for over the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, through travel agents and through airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
s. Unless there is some problem with the application, the ETA is granted immediately.
ETAs are issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship in three different types:
- short validity tourist ETA (subclass 976)
- short validity business entrant ETA (subclass 977)
- long validity business entrant ETA (subclass 956) - this can only be obtained through a travel agent, airline, specialist service provider or an Australian visa office outside Australia, not online
The short validity tourist and business entrant ETAs are each valid for 1 year or until the date of expiry of the passport (whichever is sooner). The long validity business entrant ETA is valid for the life of the holder's passport. All three types allow entry as often as desired during the validity of the ETA for stays of up to three months (and for a stay up to three months beyond the expiration of the ETA provided entry is during the validity period).
All ETAs permit the holder to study or engage in training in Australia for up to 3 months. Holders of the short validity tourist ETA (subclass 976) are not allowed to work, although limited volunteer work is acceptable. Holders of the short validity and long validity business entrant ETA (subclasses 977 and 956 respectively) are generally not allowed to work, although they are allowed to engage in limited work if, for example, it is highly specialised and not ongoing (generally less than 6 weeks).
At the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia, all holders of an ETA (regardless of which subclass) must be free from tuberculosis and must not have any criminal convictions for which the sentence or sentences (whether served or not) total 12 months or more.
An application for the short validity ETAs (subclasses 976 and 977) attracts a service charge of AU$20. An application for a long validity business ETA (subclass 956) has an application fee of AU$105.
Eligible passports
Special Administrative RegionSpecial administrative region
A special administrative region, or SAR may be:People's Republic of China* Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, self-governing country subdivision in Hong Kong and Macau...
} Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders
} British National (Overseas) passport
British National (Overseas) passport
The British National passport is a British passport for the holders of the nationality British National . It is mainly held by residents of Hong Kong from 1987.-Physical appearance:...
holders (cannot apply online and must apply in person) South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
) (must be resident in Taiwan)
eVisitor (subclass 651)
The eVisitor (a subset of ETA for European nationals) is free of charge.Eligible passports
:- European Free Trade AssociationEuropean Free Trade AssociationThe European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European Union . EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to,...
:
}
}
}
}
- European microstatesEuropean microstatesThe European microstates or ministates are a set of very small states in Europe. While Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City are usually included, Luxembourg and Cyprus share certain features as well...
:
}
}
}
}
Exceptions
Holders of British National (Overseas)British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
passports cannot apply for an eVisitor, however they can apply for an ETA (see above). They are subject to additional requirements (they cannot apply online and must apply in person at a travel agent or consulate). Holders of
British SubjectBritish subject
In British nationality law, the term British subject has at different times had different meanings. The current definition of the term British subject is contained in the British Nationality Act 1981.- Prior to 1949 :...
, British Overseas Territories Citizen
British Overseas Territories citizen
The status of British Overseas Territories citizen relates to persons holding British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.-British Nationality Act 1981:...
, British Overseas Citizen
British Overseas citizen
In British nationality law, the status of British Overseas citizen is one of several categories of British national. A British Overseas citizen does not have an automatic right to live in the United Kingdom.-British Nationality Act 1981:...
and British Protected Person
British protected person
A British protected person is a member of class of certain persons under the British Nationality Act 1981 associated with former protected states, protectorates, mandated and trust territories under British control...
passports are not eligible for any electronic visas and must apply for an ordinary tourist visa.
Electronic Tourist Visa (subclass e676)
An Electronic Tourist Visa (e676) application attracts a fee of AU$110, except for foreign government representatives, who have their fee waived.The holder of an e676 visa can study or engage in training in Australia for up to 3 months. Whilst an e676 visa does not permit work in Australia, its holder can do genuine unpaid voluntary work as long as the main purpose of visiting Australia is for tourism (and volunteering is incidental to this) and it would not otherwise have been done, in return for wages, by an Australian resident. The holder is permitted to be provided meals and accommodation or reimbursement for out-of-pocket living expenses connected to the voluntary work.
New Zealand citizens
Citizens of can enter Australia without giving any notice and can live and work in Australia indefinitely if they present a valid New Zealand passportNew Zealand passport
New Zealand passports are issued to New Zealand citizens for the purpose of international travel. The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for issuing New Zealand passports.-History:...
, have no criminal convictions, have no untreated tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and have not been deported, excluded or removed from any country. Qualifying New Zealand citizens are issued with a Special Category Visa
Special Category Visa
A Special Category Visa is a type of Australian visa granted to most New Zealand citizens on arrival in Australia. New Zealand Citizens may then reside in Australia indefinitely under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.- History :...
on arrival in Australia, unless they already hold another type of Australian visa, and do not need to apply for any of the above electronic visas prior to travel.
Reciprocity
Some countries regard the ETA as being equivalent to visa-free travel when deciding whether to grant the same to Australians wishing to enter their territory. The United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, for example, offers their Visa Waiver Program
Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program is a program of the United States Government which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to the 50 U.S. states as well as the U.S...
to Australian passport-holders, and one of the conditions for joining this scheme is that "Governments provide reciprocal visa-free travel for U.S. citizens for 90 days for tourism or business purposes)". Japan has also granted visa-free access to Australians. United States require from January 2009 similar ETA from citizens of Australia and some more countries. This system is not called visa, but Electronic System for Travel Authorization
Electronic System for Travel Authorization
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is a United States government requirement for participating travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries arriving by air or sea to complete online the I-94W form in...
, therefore the USA still allows visa-free travel for Australians.
Whilst all countries in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
have access to the ETA system, not all of them regard it as being visa-free travel. As a matter of EU policy
Amsterdam Treaty
The Amsterdam Treaty, officially the Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty of the European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts, was signed on 2 October 1997, and entered into force on 1 May 1999; it made substantial changes to the Maastricht Treaty,...
, however, none of them impose reciprocal requirements on Australian nationals for short-term stays. (The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
are exempt from this particular EU policy, but still do not impose any short-term visa requirements on Australians.)
See also
- ImmigrationImmigrationImmigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
- Immigration to AustraliaImmigration to AustraliaImmigration to Australia is estimated to have begun around 51,000 years ago when the ancestors of Australian Aborigines arrived on the continent via the islands of the Malay Archipelago and New Guinea. Europeans first landed in the 17th and 18th Centuries, but colonisation only started in 1788. The...
- Tourism in AustraliaTourism in AustraliaTourism is an important industry for the Australian economy. In the financial year 2009/10, the tourism industry represented 2.6% of Australia's GDP at a value of approximately A$34 billion to the national economy. Domestic tourism is a significant part of the tourism industry, and was...
- Australian passportAustralian PassportAustralian passports are issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Australia and overseas. Since 1984, Australian passports are issued only to citizens of Australia.- History :...
- Special purpose visaSpecial purpose visaA special purpose visa is a visa given by operation of law to certain non-citizens in Australia to whom standard visa and immigration clearance arrangements do not apply....
- Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visaPermanent Resident of Norfolk Island visaA Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa is a type of Australian immigration visa granted on arrival in Australia to a non-citizen who is a permanent resident of Norfolk Island....
- Electronic System for Travel AuthorizationElectronic System for Travel AuthorizationThe Electronic System for Travel Authorization is a United States government requirement for participating travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries arriving by air or sea to complete online the I-94W form in...