eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651): Free Australian Visa for Europeans

eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651): Free Australian Visa for Europeans

The eVisitor (Subclass 651) is a free electronic visa that allows passport holders from 36 European countries to visit Australia for tourism or business for up to 3 months per stay. There is no application charge at all — not even a service fee. The visa is valid for 12 months with unlimited entries, and most applications are processed within days. You apply online through ImmiAccount.

Quick Facts

Eligible Countries

The eVisitor visa is available to passport holders from the following 36 European countries and territories:

Important: UK passport holders are eligible for the eVisitor, making this the simplest and cheapest option for British travellers visiting Australia. Despite Brexit, the UK remains on the eVisitor eligibility list.

If your country isn't listed above, check whether you qualify for an ETA (Subclass 601) or you'll need a Subclass 600 visitor visa.

How to Apply for the eVisitor

Unlike the ETA which requires a mobile app, the eVisitor application is done through the standard ImmiAccount online portal. The process is simple.

Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount. Go to the Department of Home Affairs website and register for an ImmiAccount. You'll need an email address and to set up a password.

Step 2: Start a new application. Select "New application," then navigate to "Visitor" and choose "eVisitor (651)."

Step 3: Fill in your details. Enter your personal information, passport details, and answer the health and character declaration questions. The form is short compared to other visa applications.

Step 4: Submit. There's no payment step because the eVisitor is completely free. Just review your answers and submit.

Step 5: Wait for the outcome. Most eVisitor applications are processed within 1 to 3 days. Some are approved within hours. You'll receive an email notification when a decision is made.

The eVisitor is electronically linked to your passport. No sticker, no stamp, no printout needed — though saving the grant notification email is always a good idea.

What You Can and Can't Do

The eVisitor covers tourism and business visitor activities, with the same boundaries as the ETA (Subclass 601).

Permitted activities:

• Tourism, sightseeing, and holidays
• Visiting family and friends
• Short-term study or training (up to 3 months)
• Attending conferences, trade fairs, and seminars
• Business meetings, negotiations, and enquiries
• Medical treatment

Not permitted:

• Any paid or unpaid work for an Australian entity
• Selling goods or services to the public
• Providing professional services
• Any activity that would normally require an employment contract

The distinction between "business visitor" and "worker" matters. A German engineer flying to Melbourne to inspect a factory and discuss a supply contract? That's a business visit. The same engineer spending three weeks on-site fixing machinery? That crosses into work territory and requires a work visa.

Processing Times

The eVisitor is one of the fastest Australian visas to process. The Department of Home Affairs processes most applications within 1 to 3 business days.

However, some applications take longer if:

• You have a criminal record (even traffic offences in some cases)
• You've previously overstayed in Australia or any other country
• You have a complex immigration history
• Additional security checks are triggered
• You answered "yes" to any health or character declaration question

If your eVisitor hasn't been processed within two weeks, something's likely flagged your application for manual review. Contact the Department of Home Affairs for an update, or consider whether a Subclass 600 application might be more appropriate for your circumstances.

eVisitor Conditions and Rules

Every eVisitor grant comes with standard conditions. Familiarise yourself with these before travelling.

Condition 8101 — No work. You cannot work while in Australia. This includes volunteer work that replaces a paid position.

Condition 8201 — Maximum 3-month stay. Each visit is capped at 3 months. The clock starts when you arrive and stops when you depart. You can leave and re-enter for another 3-month period.

Condition 8558 — 12-month accumulation limit. You cannot spend more than 12 months in Australia within any 18-month period. This prevents people from chaining consecutive 3-month stays indefinitely.

No further stay: The eVisitor does not have condition 8503 (No Further Stay) by default, which means you can apply for another visa while in Australia if needed. However, do this before your 3-month stay expires.

Multiple Entries and Re-entry

The eVisitor allows unlimited entries during its 12-month validity. Fly to Australia for two weeks, go to New Zealand, come back for another month — that's perfectly fine. Each re-entry resets your 3-month stay period.

Be aware that immigration officers at the airport do have discretion. If your travel pattern suggests you're effectively living in Australia through repeated short visits, they can question you at the border and potentially refuse entry. This is rare for genuine tourists but worth knowing about.

When to Use a Subclass 600 Instead

The eVisitor is excellent for short visits, but it has limitations. Consider applying for a Subclass 600 visitor visa if:

• You need to stay longer than 3 months. The eVisitor has a hard 3-month cap. The Subclass 600 can grant up to 12 months.
• You want to apply from inside Australia. The eVisitor must be applied for outside Australia. If you're already here and want to extend, you need a Subclass 600.
• Your eVisitor was refused. A Subclass 600 lets you provide more detailed supporting documents to address concerns.

The tradeoff is cost ($190 vs. free) and processing time (potentially weeks vs. days).

Travelling to Australia with an eVisitor

A few practical reminders before you board your flight:

Check your passport expiry. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. While technically not a visa requirement, airlines may refuse to board you and Australian immigration officers prefer it.

Your eVisitor is linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport after getting the eVisitor, the old eVisitor is invalid. Apply for a new one with your new passport — it's free, so there's no cost penalty.

Carry proof of onward travel. While not strictly required, having a return or onward flight booking can smooth things at immigration. It demonstrates you intend to leave within 3 months.

Have evidence of funds. Occasionally, immigration officers at the airport ask visitors to demonstrate they can support themselves. Having access to bank statements or a credit card with sufficient limit is prudent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the eVisitor really completely free?

Yes. Unlike the ETA (Subclass 601) which has a $20 service charge, the eVisitor has zero cost. No application charge, no service fee, nothing. It's one of the few genuinely free Australian visas.

Can I study on an eVisitor?

You can study for up to 3 months, which covers most short courses, language programs, and holiday courses. If your course exceeds 3 months, you'll need an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500).

Can I get an eVisitor if I have dual nationality?

You can apply using whichever passport is from an eligible country. If you hold both a French and Algerian passport, apply with the French one. Make sure you travel on the same passport you applied with — the eVisitor is linked to that specific passport number.

What if I need to stay longer than 3 months?

You have two options: leave Australia and re-enter (which resets the 3-month clock) or apply for a Subclass 600 visitor visa before your 3-month stay expires. The second option is cleaner if you genuinely need continuous stay beyond 3 months.

Can I transit through Australia on an eVisitor?

Yes. If you're transiting through an Australian airport and will clear immigration (e.g., to change terminals or airlines), you need a valid visa — and the eVisitor works for this purpose. If you're staying airside and not clearing immigration on a single through-booking, you may not need a visa at all, though it depends on your nationality. Check with your airline.