Australia Eta: The Multipurpose Visa

By Author: Dylan Lautner
Total Articles: 133
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One of the most flexible visas to use for Australia is the ETA or the Electronic Travel Authority. It is designed for people who want to go to Australia for holidays, tourism, recreation or informal studies.

The Australian ETA visa allows holders to stay up to three months on each visit within the ETA's validity period. They are usually valid for 12 months from the date it was granted or is aligned with the life of the passport. The passport number used when lodging the online application for the ETA is linked to your visa, so holders of this Australian visa must use the same one when they arrive in Australia.

Adding to its flexibility and convenience, the Australian ETA Visa is electronically stored. This means, it is accessible by airlines, travel agents and Australian border control. You don't even need to physically visit a departmental office to lodge an applicant (if you belong to an eligible country) and you do not need a stamp or a label on your passport.

Australian ETA visas are usually filed on an individual basis. While it is possible to bring your family with you on an ETA visa, one is required ...
... for each member of the family entering Australia. This includes minors who are under the age of 18 but are still included on your passport.

Eligibility for filing via a travel agent, airline, service provider or an Australian visa office outside Australia means that you should be a passport holder from one of the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway. Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, USA and Vatican City.

Meanwhile, for passport holder of the following countries: Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the US may opt to lodge an online application for the Australian ETA visa. European passport holder eligible for ETA visa travel agencies, airlines and specialist may choose to apply for an eVisitor visa instead.

Dylan Lautner
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http://www.nationalvisas.com.au/visitor/ETAvisainfo.htm
http://www.nationalvisas.com.au/blog/visitor-visas/australia-eta-the-multipurpose-visa/