Subclass 651

The eVisitor (651): No-Charge Visitor Access for Eligible European Passports.

If you hold a passport from an eligible country - mostly the European Union plus a few others - the eVisitor is the simplest way into Australia for a holiday or a business trip. You apply online from home, there's no visa application charge, and it links electronically to your passport.

No visa application chargeEligible European passportsTourism or business visits

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What the eVisitor Is

For eligible mostly-European passport holders. Simple, digital, with no visa application charge.

The eVisitor lets you come to Australia for tourism or for business visitor activities - meetings, conferences, negotiations. It's applied for online, there's no visa application charge, and once granted it sits electronically against your passport. You can visit multiple times while it's valid, with each stay limited to a set period per visit within a twelve-month window.

It's a short-stay visa by design. It doesn't let you work for an Australian employer and it's not a path to living here. For a holiday, visiting family, or a business trip, it does exactly the job.

You must apply from outside Australia. The eVisitor has to be granted while you're offshore, and you also need to be outside Australia each time it comes into effect. If you're already here and need to extend your stay, a different visa is needed - we can talk you through which one.

eVisitor or ETA (601)?

People mix these two up constantly.

Both are online visitor visas linked to your passport. Both allow tourism and business visits. Both are for short stays. The real difference is the country lists - the eVisitor covers a mostly European set of passports, while the 601 ETA covers a different group including the US, Japan, Singapore and others. The eVisitor carries no visa application charge, whereas the ETA is applied through a service that charges a fee. Which one applies to you is decided by your passport, not your preference.

Feature	eVisitor (Subclass 651)	ETA (Subclass 601)	Visitor (Subclass 600)
Who it suits	Mostly European Union passports plus a few others	A different list - US, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and more	Any nationality not covered by the 651 or the 601
Visa application charge	No visa application charge	No visa application charge - a service fee applies through the lodging system	A charge applies, generally around AUD 190 (varies by stream and location; we confirm before you apply)
How you apply	Online, from outside Australia	Online or via app, from outside Australia	Online; can be lodged onshore or offshore depending on stream
Purpose	Tourism or business visitor activities	Tourism or business visitor activities	Tourism, business, or visiting family, including longer stays
Work for an Australian employer	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted

One quick note on charges. The eVisitor itself carries no visa application charge. If you ask us to confirm your eligibility and lodge for you, that is a separate professional service and we quote it in writing first - there is no government charge bundled into it. Figures shown here are indicative and conditional; we verify the current numbers with you before anything is lodged.

What You'll Need

The main requirements for an eVisitor.

A passport from an eligible eVisitor country - mostly European Union plus a few others
To be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa takes effect
Genuine intention to visit for tourism or business visitor activities - no work for an Australian employer
The usual health and character requirements and enough funds for your stay

Common Questions

eVisitor questions answered.

Which European countries are eligible for the eVisitor?

The eVisitor covers EU member states and a small number of other European countries. The full list is set by the government - common eligible countries include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and others. If your European country isn't on the list, you'll need the 600 visitor visa instead.

What's the difference between the eVisitor and the ETA?

Both are digital visitor visas, but they serve different passport lists. The eVisitor covers a mostly European set of countries. The 601 ETA covers a different group including the US, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. The eVisitor carries no visa application charge; the ETA has a small service fee. Which one you use is decided by your passport, not preference.

Can I apply from inside Australia?

No - the eVisitor has to be granted while you're outside Australia, and you also need to be offshore each time it comes into effect. If you're already in Australia and your current visa is expiring, the eVisitor isn't the tool. A different visa type is needed, and we can advise on which one.

Can I work on an eVisitor?

No. The eVisitor is a visitor visa - it covers tourism and short business visitor activities like meetings and conferences, not paid work for Australian employers. If you want to work in Australia, a different visa is required, and we can point you to the right one for your situation.

How long does an eVisitor approval take after I apply?

Many eVisitor applications are decided within around one to two weeks while you're offshore, though timing depends on your circumstances and the Department's checks - it isn't guaranteed and can take longer if further information is needed. There's no physical visa label or sticker: once granted, the visa is recorded electronically against your passport, so there's nothing to collect. We suggest applying well before you book non-refundable travel rather than leaving it to the last minute.

Can I apply for an eVisitor if I'm already visiting Australia on another visa?

No. The eVisitor has to be granted while you're outside Australia, so you can't use it to extend a stay you're already on. If your circumstances change mid-stay and you need to remain longer, the right tool is usually a different visa - and depending on timing, a bridging visa may keep you lawful while a new application is decided. We can look at where you stand and explain the options before anything lapses.

If my eVisitor is refused, can I appeal or reapply?

It depends on why the application was refused. Offshore visitor refusals often have limited or no merits review rights, so in many cases the practical step is a fresh, better-prepared application - sometimes through the Subclass 600 Visitor visa instead, where more supporting detail can be provided. As a registered migration agent (MARN 2217857), we can read the refusal reasons, tell you honestly whether a review pathway exists for your situation, and prepare any reapplication so the earlier concern is addressed.

Do I need travel insurance or proof of funds to apply for an eVisitor?

Travel insurance isn't a formal grant requirement, but it's sensible to hold while you're here. The eVisitor does ask that you have enough funds to support your stay and that you meet the usual health and character requirements - you may not upload bank statements at the point of applying, but the Department can ask for evidence, so it's worth being able to show you can fund the visit and intend a genuine short stay. We can help you understand what a genuine-visitor case looks like before you apply.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Non-EU passport?Visitor Visa 600For nationalities not covered by the eVisitor.US, Japan, etc.ETA 601For eligible non-European countries.Staying longerBridging VisasIf your circumstances change while you're in Australia.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Hold a European passport?

We'll confirm whether the eVisitor covers your country and make sure you apply from the right place with the right supporting detail.