Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visas
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All visitors to Australia need a visa - only New Zealand nationals are exempt, and even
they receive a 'special category' visa on arrival. Visa application forms are available from
Australian diplomatic missions overseas, travel agents or the website of the
Department
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Citizens of European Union member countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are eligible for an eVisitor, which is free
and allows visitors to stay in Australia for up to three months. These must be applied for
online, and they are electronically stored and linked to individual passport numbers, so no
stamp in your passport is required. It's advisable to apply at least 14 days prior to the pro-
posed date of travel to Australia. Applications are made on the Department of Immigra-
tion & Citizenship website.
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An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows visitors to enter Australia any time within
a 12-month period and stay for up to three months at a time (unlike eVisitor, multiple
entries are permitted). Travellers from qualifying countries can get an ETA through any
International Air Transport Association (IATA)-registered travel agent or overseas airline.
They make the application for you when you buy a ticket and they issue the ETA, which
replaces the usual visa stamped in your passport. It's common practice for travel agents to
charge a fee for issuing an ETA (in the vicinity of US$25). This system is available to
passport holders of some 33 countries, including all of the countries that are eligible for
eVisitor.
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The eight countries that are eligible for ETA but not eVisitor can make their application
Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the USA.
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If you are from a country not covered by eVisitor or ETA, or you want to stay longer
than three months, you'll need to apply for a visa. Tourist visas cost $110 and allow single
or multiple entry for stays of three, six or 12 months and are valid for use within 12
months of issue.
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Visitors are allowed a maximum stay of 12 months, including extensions. Visa exten-
sions are made through the Department of Immigration & Citizenship, and it's best to ap-
ply at least two or three weeks before your visa expires. The application fee is $290 - it's
nonrefundable, even if your application is rejected.
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Young (aged 18 to 30) visitors from Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Fin-
land, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, the Netherlands,
Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK are eligible for a Working Holiday Maker (WHM)
