Australia eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651)
The eVisitor visa (subclass 651) is a free online visa for eligible passport holders who want to visit Australia for tourism or permitted business visitor activities. It allows multiple visits during a 12-month period, with a stay of up to three months each time you enter. Your visa grant notice confirms the conditions that apply to you.
eVisitor 651 at a glance
- CostThere is no visa application charge.
- Where to applyYou must be outside Australia when you apply and when the Department decides the application.
- TravelVisit Australia as often as permitted during the 12-month visa period.
- StayUp to three months on each visit.
- PurposeTourism, visiting family or friends, and permitted business visitor activities.
- WorkYou cannot work in Australia on an eVisitor visa.
Who can apply?
You must hold an eligible passport and apply using that passport. Eligibility is based on the passport you hold, not simply where you live. Check the current passport list on the Department of Home Affairs eVisitor page before applying.
You must also:
- be a genuine visitor who intends to stay temporarily and comply with all visa conditions;
- meet the health and character requirements;
- have enough money to support yourself and leave Australia at the end of your visit;
- have paid, or arranged to pay, any debt owed to the Australian Government; and
- satisfy the best-interests requirement for any applicant under 18.
Home Affairs states that a person with a criminal conviction in any country should apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead. Do not assume that a minor or old conviction is irrelevant.
What can you do in Australia?
Permitted visitor activities
An eVisitor can be used for a holiday, a cruise, visiting family or friends, or permitted business visitor activities such as attending a conference, trade fair or business meeting. You may study or train for up to three months in some circumstances, although a student visa may be more appropriate when study is the main reason for travelling.
Work is not permitted
You cannot work for, or provide services to, a business or organisation in Australia and you cannot sell goods or services directly to the public. Business visitor activity is not the same as employment.
Multiple entry, stay periods and longer visits
The eVisitor generally permits multiple entries during a 12-month period and a stay of up to three months each time. It does not give a continuous 12-month stay. Border officers may still ask about your purpose of travel, funds and plans when you arrive.
Subclass 651 cannot be extended. If you need a longer stay, you must identify and qualify for another suitable visa. Do not rely on “visa renewal” as a way to remain in Australia, and check your grant notice for any condition that could restrict a further application.
Separate applications for family members
Each traveller needs their own visa application, including children and other family members travelling on the same itinerary. Every applicant must meet the relevant passport, health, character and genuine-visitor requirements.
How to apply for an eVisitor visa
- Confirm that the passport you will travel on is eligible.
- Apply online while you are outside Australia through ImmiAccount.
- Answer every question accurately and attach any documents requested for your circumstances.
- Submit the application. The eVisitor application itself is free.
- Monitor ImmiAccount and your email for requests and the written decision.
- Remain outside Australia until the application is decided.
Processing times change. Use the Department’s visa processing time guide for current guidance rather than relying on a fixed number of days. The published time is a guide based on recently decided applications and is not a guarantee for an individual case.
eVisitor 651 vs ETA 601 vs Visitor 600
| Visa | Usually suited to | Cost and stay overview |
|---|---|---|
| eVisitor 651 | Eligible European passport holders visiting for tourism or business visitor activity | Free application; multiple visits in 12 months; up to three months each visit |
| ETA 601 | Eligible ETA passport holders using the Australian ETA app | No visa application charge, but an app service fee applies; generally short visits |
| Visitor 600 | Other passport holders or circumstances needing a different visitor stream, including some criminal-history cases | A visa application charge applies; available streams and possible stay periods vary |
The cheapest or fastest-looking option is not necessarily the correct visa. Passport, location, travel purpose, immigration history, character issues and intended stay all matter.
When professional advice may help
A straightforward eligible applicant can usually lodge the free eVisitor application directly through ImmiAccount. Professional advice is more useful when you are unsure whether subclass 651, ETA 601 or Visitor 600 is correct, or where there is a previous refusal, criminal history, health issue, complicated travel purpose or need for a longer stay.
The above list is not exhaustive. It should not be construed as immigration advice, but as general information only.
Contact us if you would like to know more about this visa or need immigration advice.
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