Thinking of visiting Australia for tourism, to see loved ones, or to engage in business activities? Your adventure starts with understanding the eVisitor (subclass 651) visa!
This electronic visa streamlines the process – no need for physical stamps or labels in your passport.
In this comprehensive guide, we unveil everything you need to know about the eVisitor 651 visa – from eligibility criteria to requirements, processing times, costs, and the significance of having travel insurance.
Let’s get to it and turn your plan for an Australian adventure into reality!
What is an eVisitor visa for Australia?
The eVisitor (subclass 651) visa is an electronic, short-term visa that allows you to visit Australia for purposes such as tourism, visiting family and friends, or engaging in business activities.
The visa is electronic meaning that the application process for this visa is online, and there is no need for a physical visa stamp in your passport.
The eVisitor visa typically allows stays in Australia for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period.
While on this visa, you shouldn’t:
Be employed by or provide services to a company or organization based in Australia
Sell goods or services directly to the public
Read:
Australian eVisitor Visa, Visitor Visa And ETA – What Is The Difference
Eligible Countries
Australia is available to passport holders from the following eligible countries:
What are the requirements for the Australian eVisitor visa?
General requirements for obtaining an Australian eVisitor visa include:
Having an eligible passport.
You must hold an eligible passport. Although most European passports are eligible, you can find a more comprehensive list above.
Visiting for the correct purpose.
The 651 visa is for tourism or business purposes only.
So you can either apply for this type of visa to explore Australia or travel to spend time with friends and family.
Alternatively, you can apply for this visa to attend business conferences, seminars, or meetings, or to negotiate and discuss contracts related to business.
However, you cannot engage in any form of employment or work activities.
Meeting the health and character requirements.
In order to apply for eVisitor visa Australia, you must meet health and character requirements. If you cannot meet them, you will have to apply for an Australian Tourist 600 visa.
This visa could involve a health examination and providing police certificates.
Whether or not you will need health examinations will depend on factors like your health history and which country you are coming from.
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs outlines the visa character requirements.
Having sufficient funds to sustain yourself.
You may need to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
The specific amount required can depend on factors such as the duration of your stay, your planned activities, and personal circumstances.
While there is no set amount specified by the Australian government for the eVisitor visa, it’s recommended to have enough money to cover accommodation, meals, transportation, and any other personal expenses.
You must be outside of Australia when applying for your eVisitor visa.
You must apply and submit your Australian eVisitor visa application while you are located outside of there.
It’s only once the visa has been granted that you can then travel to Australia.
Intention to leave.
You must have a genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily and leave before your visa expires.
Otherwise, overstaying your visa can have serious consequences, such as potential fines, deportation, and restrictions on future travel to Australia.
Read also:
Top 5 Most Popular Australian Visas
Australia eVisitor Visa Processing time
The processing time can vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications, individual circumstances, and the completeness of the application.
Typically, the eVisitor visa is processed relatively quickly, often within a few days to a couple of weeks.
If everything goes smoothly, the visa can be processed within three working days.
Australia 651 Visa Cost
When applying for the eVisitor 651 visa with Visa First, the cost starts from €90.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for the Australian eVisitor (subclass 651) visa, however, it’s highly recommended.
Although the Australia eVisitor visa is primarily designed for short-term visits for tourism or business purposes, it’s important to consider unforeseen events, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost baggage that can occur while you’re travelling.
Having travel insurance may cover things like medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen belongings, and other unexpected events.
So it’s a wise decision to obtain travel insurance to ensure a smoother and more secure travel experience.
Can I extend my eVisitor 651 visa?
The 651 visa does not typically allow for extensions.
However, you can apply for a Visitor Visa from inside the country while you are there on an eVisitor visa.
Wish to stay longer in Australia?
If your eVisitor 651 visa is expiring, and you wish to stay in Australia for a longer period, you’ll need to explore other visa options.
The specific visa you can apply for will depend on your intended purpose for staying in Australia and your circumstances.
A great option to continue exploring Australia while earning some money is the Working Holiday Visa.
There are two different Working Holiday Visa:
Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)
The Working Holiday Visa you can apply for will depend on your factors like:
Age
Country of citizenship
Education
Note that you cannot apply for a First Working Holiday Visa or a First Work and Holiday Visa while in Australia.
Read:
Australian Working Holiday Visa vs. Work & Holiday Visa – What’s the difference?
Need help applying for your visa?
You can simplify the process of your visa application by applying with Visa First!
Our experienced team will guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free application.
We can take the stress and complexity out of the application process, leaving you with more time to plan your Aussie travel adventure!
Why choose Visa First?
With over 10,000 visas processed annually, rest assured you’re in expert hands!
Ensure application accuracy and increase your visa approval success rate
You can rely on our experienced team to guide you through every step of the visa application process
How can I apply with Visa First?
The process is simple and it’s as follows:
Start by creating an account on our website
Complete our online application form
Pay for the service
Upload your documents
Then if your visa is approved, you download your visa grant notice (VGN) as soon as it is available
Ready for your Australian adventure?
Apply for your eVisitor 651 visa today!
The post eVisitor Visa Australia: The Complete 651 Visa Guide appeared first on Welcome to the official Visa First blog!.
