Australia is one of the most popular destinations all around the globe. The country offers everything, from fascinating wildlife to gorgeous landscapes. Therefore, millions of visitors enter Australia for tourism and business purposes.
The Australian government has recently started the visa waiver program, allowing some international travelers to enter the country without a traditional paper or stamp visa. Instead, foreign nationals can use an ETA system to travel to Australia!
Eligibility Criteria for an Australia ETA
Currently, citizens from 9 countries, including Canada, are eligible for an Australian electronic travel authorization (ETA). An ETA is considered an e-visa that can be used to enter Australia legally. It is a multiple-entry travel document that stays valid for 12 months and can be used to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days.
The Australian immigration department of home affairs has set eligibility criteria for an ETA, which are as follows:
Travelers must have a valid passport with at least 2 blank pages as well as 3 months of remaining validity.
They must present a "good character" document issued by the military or police.
They must not have a criminal record.
They must not require costly community and health services
They must not use community and health services at the expense of Australian citizens.
They must be free from diseases that can affect the general public.
If you fulfill all these requirements, you can apply for an ETA online!
Australian ETA Requirements
An ETA can be used to visit Australia for the following purposes:
Visiting friends or family member
Volunteering
Short-term study
Business conferences and meetings
Cruise
Holiday
To get your electronic travel authorization, you'll need to provide some documents, also known as the visa requirements. These documents include:
Valid Passport - A copy of your original passport with at least 3 months of remaining validity.
E-mail Address - A valid and active email address that will be electronically linked to your passport. Upon approval, you'll receive your ETA via email.
Means of Payment - Applicants are required to pay the embassy fee as well as the visa service fee to get an ETA. As this entire process is online, you can use online payment methods, such as debit card, credit card, or PayPal account.
These are the most basic documents required to apply for an Australian ETA. Besides these, you might need to provide some supporting documents depending on your purpose of stay!
To get your ETA, you must fulfill character, security, and health requirements. Make sure you don’t have any disease that can affect others or a criminal record that entail a prison sentence of 12 months or more!
How to Apply for an ETA Online?
The Australian government launched the ETA system to make the visa application process more convenient and faster. Unlike a traditional paper or stamp visa, applicants are no longer required to visit the Australian embassy or consulate office to apply for a travel document!
Applying for electronic travel authorization is an online process. All you need to do is:
Download the "Australian ETA" app on your smartphone
Log in with your credentials
Fill out the online application form
Pay the ETA fee
Submit your online form with supporting documents
You can complete this entire process within 10 minutes. To fill out the visa application form, you'll need to provide personal, travel, contact, and passport details, including:
Name and surname
Place of birth
Date of birth
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
Phone number
Email address
Travel dates
Make sure to double-check the provided data before you submit your application. This is because if there are mistakes or errors in your application, your ETA will more likely be delayed or denied!
Processing Time
The processing time for an Australian ETA depends upon several factors, such as your purpose of visit and supporting documents. The estimated processing time for an ETA is 3-5 business days. However, due to high demand and secondary checks, you might have to wait a little longer!
Alternatives to an Australia ETA
An Australian ETA is undoubtedly the best choice for you as you can apply online for this travel document. However, if you have been denied an ETA, you can always apply for traditional Australian visas.
Australia offers the following types of visas for Canadian passport holders:
Tourist Visa - This one is for tourism purposes, such as visiting relatives, exploring the country, or spending holidays in Australia.
Business Visa - For commercial and professional activities, Australia offers business visas. It permits holders to attend business meetings, seminars, and conferences.
Working Holiday Visa - If you want to spend holidays in Australia but also want to work, you can apply for a working holiday visa!
To get these visas, you can partner up with VisaHQ. We will do all the work, from submitting your documents to scheduling a visa interview!