If you are from South Africa and you are planning a trip to Australia, you need to know something about the Australian visa for South African citizens. Citizens of countries, who are eligible for applying eTA can enter Australia without getting a regular visa from the embassy. At the same time, an electronic visa (eTA) is an obligatory and a required document if you travel to Australia by plane.

NOTE: South African citizens can apply for an eTA only when they have a nationality of some country, which is eligible for applying for eTA. If not, you can apply for a subclass 600 visa.

eTA – is an electronic travel authorization system, which allows all citizens who are eligible for applying eTA to enter Australia when traveling in business or touristic purposes. How to apply for eTA for South African citizens? And what do you need to fill the application form? The article will describe what exactly an eTA is and how to obtain it.

Why do South African citizens need an eTA?

In 1996, the Australian government introduced an Electronic Travel Authority Australia (eTA) for all nationalities which are eligible to enter Australia without getting a regular visa from the embassy. At the same time, it is obligatory for those, who travel to Austalia by plane for tourist or business reasons. Electronic Travel Authorization is an official authorization, which is automatically linking to a passport.

However eTA is not a regular visa, you how to obtain a visa for Australia in the Local Department of Immigration as well as through online application. Applying for eTA online is more simple and comfortable – you will also have all your information provided on your email address.

Requirements for an Australian visa for South African citizens

South African citizens can apply for an eTA only when they have a nationality of some country, which is eligible for applying for Australian eta visas. If not, they can apply for a subclass 600 visa. In case if you are from South Africa but you have a nationality of one of the countries which are eligible for eTA, requirements for South African citizens are quite simple.

• First of all, you must have a valid passport. When you applying for an eTA, it must be valid for at least 6 months. ETA for Australia is automatically connected with your passport, that’s why, when your passport will expire during your trip, you need to apply for another eTA.
• You will also need a valid e-mail address, to which the visa will be sent, and a credit or debit card which allows you to pay for your eTA.
• You must not have any criminal record, which will prevent you from entering the country.

ETA to Australia is valid for a year from the date of the approving ETA Australia visa. During this period you can enter Australia as many times as you want, but each visit should be no longer than 90 days.

How to apply online for an Australian visa for South Africa Citizens

If you ask yourself how do I apply for an Australian visa – you can make an online application in a few minutes. In the online form, you have to put your all required details – the reason for traveling and passport information. When you confirm the application, you will be redirected to the payment process through a credit card or PayPal.

How to fill the application step by step?

It is important to fill the application form when you are outside of Australia. There is not possible for South African citizens to fill the application after they enter the country. Before starting the process you will have to prepare a valid passport, credit or debit card and a valid email address.

Step1: When you want to start the process of your visa application, you have to visit a website: etaaustraliaonline.com and find the section “Apply for an eTA”.

Step 2: Choose your eTA type, for which you want to apply, whether it is a business or touristic reason. Remember, that for South African citizens, in most cases there is obligatory to have both nationalities when you want to apply for eTA. You need to select a territory of your birth.

Step 3: Fill out your personal data and all passport details. Remember, that it is very important to provide correct data; otherwise, your application can take longer.

Step 4: Fill out your valid email address and the necessary contact details.

Step 5: Choose your payment method – credit or debit card, read and accept terms and conditions and click “Apply”.

Once you will get it, you will receive on your email address verification and information when the application process will be finished.

ETA Australia is valid for one year from the date of approving; during this period you can enter Australia multiple times. However, one stay in Australia has to be no longer than 3 months.
Before starting your application, it is recommended that your passport have to be valid at least 6 months. When your passport will expire during your stay or eTA validity, you will have to apply for a new eTA (with a new password number).

Payment for eTA for South African citizens

The payment for eTA Australia for South African Citizens (when they have other nationalities) is 49 Euro. The application cost covers all application procedures, confirming your application and all additional services, like checking and providing information at what stage is your application if it is necessary.

We accept the payment through JCB, Diners Club, American Express, Visa or Mastercard.

Conditions when applying for Australian eTA for South African Citizens

If you are approved, your eTA will be sent to your valid email address within 72 hours. But before make sure that all your provided valid and correct data.

1. Make sure that you provide correct passport information when you apply for an eTA. If the information will be wrong or incorrect, the eTA process can take longer
2. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months when you will get an e-visa.
3. The same, when your passport will expire during the validity of your visa – in this case, you will have to apply for a new eTA
4. If for any reason, your eTA application will be rejected, you will, of course, get a refund of your money.
5. In the situation, when for some reason you would like to cancel your process after you will already submit your application, your money may not be refunded.

Conclusion:

Applying for eTA is obligatory for every citizen who is eligible to enter Australia without getting a regular visa from the embassy. Applying for eTA online is very easy and hassle-free. When your eTA will be ready, it will be sent to your email address. ETA is automatically and electrically connected with your passport. For this reason, you don’t need to print additional documents – on arrival, you must just show your passport to the security officer. If you have any questions about e-visas, don’t hesitate to contact us.