If you are a tourist planning to travel to Australia soon, you should know that different visa options are available. Keep on reading to find out what visa type is the most appropriate for you and what may be the processing time for Australian tourist visa. This way, you will be able to prepare for your trip and ensure all the formalities are handled on time.
Types of Australian tourist visas
Electronic visas
Australia offers two options for electronic visas that are perfect for tourism-related purposes. These visas differ only in terms of the countries that may apply for them. The available visa types include:
ETA (subclass 601)
Australia ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is a multiple-entry visa issued for one year; ETA can be used for numerous entries to Australia, while a single stay can last up to 90 days each time.
The countries eligible for ETA include Brunei, Canada, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, and the USA.
eVisitor visa (subclass 651)
eVisitor visa also covers numerous entries to Australia and remains valid for one year from the date of issue. What differentiates eVisitor visa from ETA is the list of eligible countries. eVisitor visa is dedicated to nationals of all European countries.
No matter if you are a holder of an Australian ETA or eVisitor visa, you can use both visas for the following purposes:
- tourism: all activities related to tourism and leisure, including sightseeing, holidays, cruising, meeting family and friends, etc.;
- business: attending various business events, conferences, fair trades, contract negotiations, and any other business-related activities excluding permanent work;
- transit: stopping in Australia before reaching another destination;
- education: visiting Australia for study or training purposes (not exceeding 3 months).
Other tourist visas
Visitor visa (subclass 600)
The visitor visa (subclass 600) is also issued for those who wish to visit Australia for tourism-related purposes. The requirements that must be met to apply for a visitor visa include genuine intention of visiting Australia for tourism-related reasons and having sufficient funds needed to cover the entire planned stay in Australia.
Applicants also must meet the relevant health and character criteria. The visa can be granted for up to 12 months. Applications should be lodged at least 4 weeks before the planned journey.
How long does it take to get an Australian tourist visa – different processing time
Regarding electronic visas for Australia, i.e., ETA or eVisitor visa, the time needed to process the application should not take more than a few business days. Applicants need to bear in mind that they should submit the online application at least 72 business hours prior to the start of their trip. In practice, visa applications can be submitted much earlier as long as the applicant possesses all the information necessary to fill out the online form and has copies of all mandatory documents.
Regarding the processing time for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), it may take up to 1 month. If you decide to apply for a Visitor visa, make sure you have enough time before your journey starts.
Factors determining Australian tourist visa processing time
There are certain factors that may influence your waiting time before you receive your Australian visa approval. The most common factors to consider include the following:
- the time when the application is being submitted – applying for a visa on weekends or during some national holidays may extend the time needed to process the visa;
- the volume of submitted applications at the same time – applications made during the high season may take a bit longer;
- technical issues on the governmental website – sometimes the application takes longer or even cannot be completed due to some technical problems that may occur on the Australian official website;
- your nationality – some nationalities are subject to more detailed investigation before they are finally granted a visa;
- criminal background – providing information about your criminal convictions may also result in the extended processing time;
- the correctness of provided details of the applicant as well as the quality of submitted supporting documents – some applications require corrections, which automatically extends the time needed for the visa approval.
What to do to expedite processing time
Although the processing time is always dependent on the Australian government’s decision, certain things may help you to receive your Australian visa as soon as possible. When applying for your visa, make sure to follow these guidelines:
- provide good copies of required documents, i.e., a bio-data page of a valid passport and applicant’s face photograph;
- apply at least 3 business days in advance of the date of your planned trip;
- don’t leave your visa application until the very last moment – apply as early as you have all the required travel information and necessary documents ready;
- if you have some questions, make sure to contact our support team before you submit your application.
