ETA vs eVisitor: Which Australian Visa Do You Need?

ETA vs eVisitor: Which Australian Visa Do You Need?

The ETA (Subclass 601) and eVisitor (Subclass 651) are both electronic visitor visas for Australia that allow 3-month stays with 12-month validity. The eVisitor covers 36 European countries (including the UK and Germany) and is completely free. The ETA now covers 34 countries — the USA, Canada, Japan and other Asia-Pacific passports, plus the UK and most of Europe — and costs $20. That means British and European passport holders can apply for either one; for everyone else, your passport decides.

Quick Facts — Side by Side

Who Gets the ETA?

The ETA (Subclass 601) is available to passport holders from 34 countries and territories — including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, plus the UK and most European countries. The full list is in our ETA guide.

For nine of those passports — Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA — the ETA is the only option of the two. None of them qualify for the eVisitor.

Who Gets the eVisitor?

The eVisitor (Subclass 651) covers 36 European countries — all EU member states plus the UK, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and several microstates. Notable countries include:

• United Kingdom
• Germany, France, Italy, Spain
• Netherlands, Belgium, Austria
• Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland
• Poland, Czech Republic, Ireland
• Switzerland, Greece, Portugal

If your passport is from a European country on the eligible list, the eVisitor is normally your visa — it's free. Since the ETA list expanded to include the UK and most of Europe, the same passports can also use the $20 ETA. The choosing logic below explains when that's worth it.

The Key Differences Explained

While these two visas function almost identically once granted, there are several practical differences worth understanding.

Cost: $20 vs. Free

The most obvious difference. The ETA has a $20 AUD service charge; the eVisitor has no charge whatsoever. Now that British and European passports qualify for both visas, price is the main reason to default to the eVisitor: it does the same job for free. The $20 ETA fee was introduced when the application process moved to the mobile app in 2022.

Application Method: App vs. Website

This is where the day-to-day difference matters most.

ETA: Applied for exclusively through the Australian ETA mobile app (iOS and Android). You scan your passport's NFC chip with your phone, take a selfie for biometric matching, and submit. It's slick but requires a smartphone with NFC capability and a biometric (e-passport).

eVisitor: Applied for through ImmiAccount — the Department of Home Affairs' standard web portal. You fill in a form, enter your passport details manually, and submit. It works from any device with a web browser.

If you don't have a smartphone or your phone can't read NFC chips, the ETA process can be frustrating. The eVisitor's web-based approach is more universally accessible.

Processing Speed: Minutes vs. Days

ETA applications are typically processed within minutes. The automated biometric check through the app allows near-instant decisions for straightforward applications.

eVisitor applications usually take 1 to 3 business days. While still fast by visa standards, it's not the instant gratification of the ETA. Last-minute travellers from ETA-eligible countries have a significant advantage.

Both visa types can be delayed if your application triggers manual review — criminal history, complex immigration background, or health concerns will slow things down regardless of which visa you're applying for.

Eligible Activities: Identical

Once granted, both visas allow exactly the same activities:

• Tourism and holidays
• Visiting friends and family
• Business visitor activities (conferences, meetings, negotiations)
• Short-term study (up to 3 months)
• Medical treatment

And both prohibit the same things:

• Paid work
• Providing services to an Australian business
• Selling goods to the public
• Any activity that replaces a paid position

There is zero functional difference in what you can do on an ETA versus an eVisitor.

Visa Conditions: Nearly Identical

Both visas come with the same standard conditions:

The conditions are effectively mirror images of each other.

What If You Don't Qualify for Either?

If your passport isn't on the ETA or eVisitor eligibility lists, neither visa is available to you. Your option is the Subclass 600 visitor visa, which is available to all nationalities.

Notable countries that require a Subclass 600:

• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Brazil
• Russia
• South Africa
• Most Middle Eastern countries
• Most African countries
• Most South American countries

The Subclass 600 costs from $250 AUD (Tourist stream), takes longer to process, and requires more documentation — but it also allows stays of up to 12 months, which neither the ETA nor eVisitor offer.

What If You Hold Dual Citizenship?

Dual citizens have an interesting situation. If you hold both a Canadian passport (ETA-eligible) and a British passport (eVisitor-eligible), you can choose which visa to apply for.

Practical considerations:

• Cost: Apply with your British passport for the free eVisitor
• Speed: Apply with your Canadian passport for the faster ETA
• Travel document: Apply using whichever passport you'll actually present at Australian immigration

You must travel on the same passport you applied with. If you get an eVisitor on your British passport, you must enter Australia on that British passport.

For dual citizens with one eligible passport and one non-eligible passport — say, a French and Moroccan passport — always apply with the eligible one (French, in this case) to get the free, fast eVisitor rather than paying $250 for a Subclass 600.

When Neither Visa Is Enough

Both the ETA and eVisitor are limited to 3-month stays. If you need more time in Australia, these visas won't cut it. Consider:

• Subclass 600 (Tourist stream): Up to 12 months, from $250
• Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417): Up to 12 months with work rights, if you're 18–30 (or 35 for some countries)
• Student Visa (Subclass 500): Duration of your enrolled course

The ETA and eVisitor are designed for short visits, not extended stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from an ETA to an eVisitor or vice versa?

There's no switching process, but for British and European passport holders it doesn't matter: those passports are eligible for both visas, so if the ETA app won't cooperate you can simply apply for the free eVisitor instead. It doesn't work the other way for everyone — a US citizen can only get the ETA, because the USA isn't on the eVisitor list.

Which is better — the ETA or eVisitor?

Functionally, they're identical. If your passport qualifies for both — the UK and most European countries — the eVisitor wins on price (free versus $20) and works from any web browser, while the ETA wins on processing speed and suits people who prefer the app. For ETA-only passports like the USA, Canada, and Japan, the comparison is academic: the ETA is your visa.

Can I apply for a Subclass 600 instead of an ETA or eVisitor?

Technically yes, but there's almost never a reason to. The only scenario where it makes sense is if you need to stay longer than 3 months. For visits of 3 months or less, always use the ETA or eVisitor — they're cheaper (or free) and faster.

Do airlines check my ETA/eVisitor before boarding?

Yes. Airlines electronically verify your visa status through Australia's Advance Passenger Processing system at check-in. If you don't have a valid ETA, eVisitor, or other visa linked to your passport, you won't be issued a boarding pass.

My ETA/eVisitor was refused. What now?

Apply for a Subclass 600 visitor visa. The Subclass 600 allows you to submit detailed supporting documents — employment letters, bank statements, travel itinerary — that can address whatever concerns led to the ETA/eVisitor refusal. A refusal of one doesn't automatically mean the other will be refused.