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There are various kinds of tourist visas granted by the Australian government that allows foreigners to enter their beautiful country for a specific period of time. Australian visitors visa options include short-stay, long-stay and working holiday. It is important to apply for the correct visa for your specific situation, and these tips will help you know which visa that is.
Short-stay Australian Visitors Visa
The easiest and fastest Australian tourist visa to acquire, this visa allows foreigners to stay in Australia for up to 3 months within 12 months of the date the visa was issued. The Australian Visa Bureau offers an easy online visa application known as the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You can apply for your visa at their website (http://www.visabureau.com/australia/default.aspx) without paper documentation or needing to receive a stamp in your passport.
- The visa application process costs £20 per applicant.
- You may not apply for the ETA visa if you have any past criminal convictions.
- You may not work while in Australia unless it is volunteer work.
- You may not study while in Australia for any longer than 3 months.
- In order to apply for an ETA short-stay Australia tourist visa you must be from an ETA eligible country. These countries are: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Vatican, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
Long-stay Australian Visitors Visa
If you wish to stay in Australia for longer than 3 months, are not on the ETA eligible country list or have a past criminal conviction you will want to apply for the Australian Tourist Visa (subclass 676). With this visa are allowed to stay for up to 12 months and have multiple entries into the country.
- As this application process is not online and requires certain forms and documentation, the general processing time takes about 10 days.
- The cost for long stay tourist visas vary depending on the length of visa you want. Visas for 3 months cost £40, those for 6 months cost £90, and a 12 month Australian visitor visa cost £120 per applicant.
- You must be outside of Australia when you apply for this visa.
Working Holiday Australian Visitors Visa
Also known as the WHM visa, the Working Holiday Australia Visitor Visa is for people who wish to stay in Australia for up to 24 months. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30. A large benefit of the WHM visa is that you are allowed to work for up to 6 months for the same employer in order to pay for your travels. You can also apply for the WHM visa online just as the short-term visa, receiving instant approval and skipping the task of filing unnecessary paperwork and providing copies of various documents.
- There are only a few countries that Australia currently grants the WHM visa to. These countries are: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malta, Norway, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
- You must be outside of Australia to apply for this visa.
- You must hold a valid passport that has at least 1 year until it expires.
- You must provide proof of financial ability to return to your home country after your stay in Australia, along with proof of funds to pay for the first half of your stay.
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