Since the last few decades, Australia has been a paradise for tourists, a gold mine for deserving job seekers and a fine place to live for its residents. Many thousands of people are willing to relocate to Australia, and there are thousands of others who love holidaying there. So if you have also marked the place as your next destination, then it is practical to learn about the visa rules.
The Advantage Factor
Is your country included in the Electronic Tourist Visa Eligible Passport list? Then the Australian government gives you the convenience of applying for your visa online and getting it granted within minutes! It will be electronically linked with your passport. The system is known as Eta Australia. ETA or Electronic Travel Authority is an approval to enter an Australian territory. If you are eligible for it, then you can directly after check-in to your Australia-bound flight. After arriving, the immigration officer will do everything needful. However, the arrangement is meant for short-stays. This means ETA allows you to stay in the land for 3 months to the maximum. And it is valid for tourists or business visits only. This is not a work visa. Again, if you need to stay there for a longer time, say, about 12 months, then you might want to apply for the Long-Stay Visitor Visa.
Applying Online
You can apply online for an ETA if you hold a passport from certain nations. They include South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Brunei – Darussalam, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and the U.S.A. You can also apply for ETA if you belong to the European Union (EU) member countries, or some other European nations that have been made eligible for it. You can check the internet to find the names of countries entitled for Electronic Travel Authority application. Even if you do not hold a passport from any of those countries, you can request for ETA. But in that case, you will have to apply through a certified travel agent, or through your airline, or directly through the Australian Visa office. However, different types of electronic visitor visas are available. You can opt for any of them as per your convenience.
What Visa Do You Need?
The government of Australia offers you five different types of visas. Eta Australia gives you the flexibility to go in and out of the country as many times as you want. This is valid for up to 3 months at a time. The Visitor Visa, under subclass 600, allows you to enjoy a holiday or family/friends visit in the country. It also allows you to go for a business trip, or study here for up to 3 months. However, it does not allow you to work, or sell anything to the public. Those not eligible for applying for ETA can consider eVisitor, under subclass 651. It is valid for tourists, or visitors having relations in Australia, as well as for businessmen who need to attend a conference, negotiate business proposals or explore business opportunities. The Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) allows you to undergo treatment or seek medical consultations. However, it is not allowed to those undergoing treatment for surrogate maternity. Finally, the Special Category visa (subclass 444) if for New Zealand citizens that allows them to tour, study, stay and work.
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