eVisitor Visa Australia: The Complete 651 Visa Guide
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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
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.
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.
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.
Timea is an enthusiastic author at Visa First with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a passion for writing. She aims to simplify complex topics and inspire others to navigate immigration with ease.
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