Australia is known for a lot of things. The country has everything from delicious cuisine to beautiful landscapes. This is the main reason why millions of people visit Australia for tourism and business purpose.
While visiting a foreign country, the most important thing you need is a visa. Except for citizens of New Zealand, all foreign nationals, including Irish, are required to have a visa. Continue reading to find out all the visa requirements for Ireland citizens and how to get one!
Australian Visa Requirements for Irish
Irish citizens are required to obtain a visa before entering Australia. The country offers different types of visas for different purposes, including tourist, business, and working holiday visa. Although you can apply for traditional Australian visas, it's recommended to apply for an Australian e-visa.
Unlike a traditional visa, you can apply for an Australian eVisitor visa from the comfort of your home. This means you don’t have to visit the Australian embassy or follow complicated steps. The Australian government allows Irish citizens to apply for an eVisitor visa online. There are different Australian e-visa types available out there:
Tourist e-visa
Business e-visa
You can apply for a tourist e-visa for tourism purposes, like visiting family members or friends. Alternatively, a business e-visa allows you to enter Australia to attend a business conference or enroll in a training program. Both of these visas are for a short period. So, if you want to stay in the country for a longer period of time, you'll need to apply for a traditional visa.
How to Apply for an Australian eVisitor Visa?
Undoubtedly, an Australian e-visa is a better pick for Irish citizens. Applying for an e-visa is both fast and convenient. You don’t have to visit the embassy or schedule a visa interview. All you need to do is visit VisaHQ and apply online for your e-visa.
You'll need to follow 3 simple steps to get your Australian e-visa:
Filling out the e-visa application form
Pay the visa processing fee
Submit required documents
An e-visa is a travel document that allows you to enter Australia whenever you want. It is a multiple-entry visa that comes with a validity period of 1 year. With an e-visa, Irish citizens can stay in the country for 90 days.
Once you submit your application and required documents, you'll receive your e-visa via email. Afterward, you can pack your bag and travel to Australia!
Required Documents
To get your e-visa, you'll need a few things. First of all, you are required to provide personal, contact, and travel details, including:
Full name
Date of birth
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
Permanent address
Phone number
Travel date
Keep in mind that any Irish citizen with a criminal history or disease that can affect the general public is not eligible for an e-visa. All travelers are required to have the following basic documents to apply for an Australian e-visa:
Passport - You need an original passport that has at least three months of remaining validity. You will need to provide passport details and a copy of the holder's information page. Also, make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages left!
E-mail Address - Your email address will be electronically linked to your passport. Once approved, you'll get your e-visa via email. So, make sure your provided email address is valid and active.
Mode of Payment - To get your e-visa, you need to pay the embassy fee and service fee. You can use a debit or credit card as the mode of payment.
Besides these, you might need some additional documents depending on your purpose of visit. For instance, for business purposes, travelers are required to provide business details, such as business cards and invitation letters. Moreover, you'll need to provide your criminal and health history!
Processing Time
The processing time for an e-visa is different for different applicants. On average, Irish citizens will get their e-visa within 3-5 business days.
That being said, if there are some issues with your application, you might need to wait a little longer. Therefore, we recommend applying for an e-visa at least 2 weeks prior to the actual departure date.
Travel to Australia - Entry Requirements
Keep in mind that a visa does not guarantee your entry to Australia. The immigration authorities have the final say!
Once you get your e-visa via email, it's recommended to print out your e-visa as you'll need to present it at the border crossing along with your original passport.
You also need to fill out the incoming passenger card, where you'll provide your address and phone number in Australia, along with any additional items to declare!