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 — but they're for different passport holders. The ETA covers 8 countries (including the USA and Canada) and costs $20. The eVisitor covers 36 European countries (including the UK and Germany) and is completely free. You can only apply for the one that matches your passport.
Quick Facts — Side by Side
| Feature | ETA (Subclass 601) | eVisitor (Subclass 651) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $20 AUD service charge | Completely free |
| Eligible countries | 8 | 36 |
| Region | Asia-Pacific + North America | Europe |
| Validity | 12 months | 12 months |
| Maximum stay | 3 months per visit | 3 months per visit |
| Multiple entries | Yes | Yes |
| Work rights | No | No |
| Study allowed | Up to 3 months | Up to 3 months |
| Application method | Australian ETA app (mobile) | ImmiAccount (web browser) |
| Processing time | Minutes (most cases) | 1–3 days (most cases) |
| Business activities | Yes (visitor activities only) | Yes (visitor activities only) |
Who Gets the ETA?
The ETA (Subclass 601) is available to passport holders from exactly 8 countries and territories:
- Brunei
- Canada
- Hong Kong SAR
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- United States of America
These are predominantly Asia-Pacific countries plus the two North American nations. If your passport is from one of these countries, the ETA is your only option — you cannot apply for an eVisitor instead.
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 your visa. You cannot choose the ETA.
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. This isn't a huge sum, but it's a clear win for European travellers. 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:
| Condition | ETA (601) | eVisitor (651) |
|---|---|---|
| No work (8101) | Yes | Yes |
| 3-month max stay (8201) | Yes | Yes |
| 12 months in 18 months limit (8558) | Yes | Yes |
| No Further Stay (8503) | Not applied by default | Not applied by default |
The conditions are effectively mirror images of each other.
What If You Don't Qualify for Either?
If your passport isn't from one of the 8 ETA countries or 36 eVisitor countries, 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 $190 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 $190 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, $190
- 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?
No, and there's no reason to. You can only apply for the visa that matches your passport nationality. A US citizen can only get the ETA; a German citizen can only get the eVisitor. They're mutually exclusive based on your passport.
Which is better — the ETA or eVisitor?
Functionally, they're identical. The eVisitor has a slight edge because it's completely free and doesn't require a mobile app. The ETA has the advantage of near-instant processing. But since you don't get to choose — your passport determines which one you apply for — the comparison is largely academic.
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.
