What travel documents do I need to travel to Australia? How do I register for an eVisitor or ETA and how long is it valid for?

The e-Visitor electronic travel authorisation

The three-month tourist visa is applied for online via the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website, where you enrol in the eVisitors system (for some European countries only) or the ETA system (other countries around the world).

You fill in a questionnaire and within a day you will receive your travel authorisation by email (seven-day waits are recorded).

Online completion of both the e-Visitor and ETA questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes.

When do I need to apply for e-Visitor and how much does it cost?

The e-Visitor must be completed by all travellers heading to Australia by air and boat from countries that are included in the e-Visitor Simplified Visa Program.

For details, visit the official website: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa.

You can complete the online visa if you are a citizen of the following countries:

• Europe - Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Class 651 "e-Visitor" visa is free of charge.

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When do I need to apply for an ETA and how much does it cost?

An electronic visa "ETA" must be completed by all travellers heading to Australia by air and boat from countries that are included in the ETA Simplified Visa Program, but unlike the e-Visitor system, these are not free.

Detailed information is available on the official website: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa.

You can complete your online visa if you are a citizen of the following countries:

• Asia - Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan
• Europe - Vatican City
• North America - Canada, USA

Class 601 "ETA" visa is 20 aud.

How to apply for an ETA or e-Visitor?

The Electronic Travel Authorization is filled out exclusively through the official government website.

• The AustralianETA mobile app (available on Google Play / App Store)
• Online at online.immi.gov.au

To complete the ETA/e-Visitor you will need your current passport that you will be travelling to Australia with and a mobile phone with a camera.

You need to upload a photo of your passport page and a selfie photo to the ETA/e-Visitor.

How long does it take to process an ETA/e-Visitor?

Fill out the electronic travel authorization on time!

It can take up to 3 business days to process, however, usually the application is approved or denied significantly sooner.

How long is the ETA/e-Visitor valid for?

You must complete an electronic application each time you travel to Australia. The e-Visitor or ETA is valid for a maximum stay of 3 months, which you can split over multiple entries within a 12 month period.

For example, if you fly via Australia to New Zealand or elsewhere in Oceania and return within 12 months, you only need to complete the e-Visitor or ETA once.

Do I need to apply for an ETA/e-Visitor when I change flights?

As long as you are not leaving the international transit area of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide airports and the transfer time does not exceed 8 hours, you do not need to apply for an Australian visa, ETA or e-Visitor.

Ordinary visa

Residents of all other countries must also apply for a standard visitor visa valid for 3, 6 or 12 months for tourist travel.

This visa can also be processed online via the official website immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visitor-600.

The cost is 195 aud.

Passport validity and other documents

Australia does not require an extended passport validity for a certain period of time after the end of the trip.

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Australia, but it can expire as little as 1 day after you return home.

A brief arrival card is completed on the plane with your personal details and information about your first accommodation.

Other documents, such as a vaccination card, are not required.

Customs regulations

Australia has fairly strict regulations regarding the importation of food, food or animals.

Detailed lists of completely prohibited items can be found on the official website abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in.

If you have cash in excess of 10 000 aud or the equivalent in another currency, you must declare it.