Australia eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651)
The eVisitor visa allows eligible European passport holders to make short visits to Australia for tourism, family visits or permitted business visitor activities.
The eVisitor visa is not a work visa. You must hold an eligible passport and be outside Australia when you apply and when the Department decides the application.
What is the Subclass 651 eVisitor Visa?
Subclass 651 is a temporary, electronically linked visa for travellers holding passports from specified European countries. It can be used for a holiday or cruise, visiting family or friends, and undertaking approved business visitor activities.
The visa is valid for travel for 12 months from the date of grant and permits multiple entries. You can generally stay in Australia for up to three months after each entry while the visa remains valid.
What can you do with an eVisitor visa?
Key eligibility considerations
You must hold a passport from a country eligible for the eVisitor program, intend to visit Australia temporarily and comply with every condition attached to the visa. You may also need to demonstrate sufficient funds, acceptable health and character, and a genuine reason to return home after the visit.
Each traveller must submit a separate application, including children and family members listed on another person's passport. Australian citizens cannot apply for an eVisitor visa.
How the eVisitor application process works
Check passport eligibility
Confirm that your current passport is eligible for Subclass 651 and remains valid for the proposed travel.
Plan the visit
Prepare your travel purpose, intended dates, accommodation, itinerary and evidence of funds for the stay.
Prepare supporting details
Gather identity, employment, financial, travel history, family and business-event information relevant to your circumstances.
Apply online from overseas
Submit a complete online application while outside Australia and respond promptly if further information is requested.
Wait for the written decision
Remain outside Australia until the decision and avoid finalising travel until the visa grant is confirmed in writing.
Business visitor activities
An eVisitor may allow general business or employment enquiries, investigating or negotiating a business contract, an official government visit, or participation in a conference, trade fair or seminar where the organiser does not pay you to take part.
You cannot work for or provide services to an Australian business or organisation, undertake paid employment for an Australian employer, or sell goods or services directly to the Australian public.
Study, stay and travel conditions
You may study or train for up to three months in total, but a Student visa may be more suitable when study is the main purpose of travel. Special health requirements can apply to childcare training, healthcare study and activities in hospital or healthcare environments.
The eVisitor cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you must qualify for and obtain another suitable visa. Frequent or lengthy visits may lead the Department or border authorities to ask whether you remain a genuine temporary visitor.
Important eVisitor Conditions
- Apply and receive the decision while outside Australia.
- Use a passport eligible for the Subclass 651 program.
- Stay for no more than three months after each entry.
- Do not undertake paid work or provide services to an Australian business.
- Study or training is limited to three months in total.
- Obey all visa conditions and Australian laws.
- Arrange appropriate health insurance for unexpected medical costs.
Cost, family and health insurance
The Australian Government currently lists the eVisitor visa as free. Applications are individual, so family members cannot be included in one application. Visitors are personally responsible for healthcare costs in Australia, and suitable travel health insurance is strongly recommended.
Documents commonly required
Depending on the application, documents may include a valid passport, identity records, itinerary, accommodation plans, invitation letter, proof of funds, employment or study evidence, business-event information, travel history, health information, character documents and certified English translations.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can help assess whether Subclass 651 suits your passport and travel purpose, prepare a tailored document checklist, review visitor and business-activity evidence, and assist with a complete online application.