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Electronic Travel Authority (601) and eVisitor (651)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) and eVisitor (subclass 651) are quick visitor visas for eligible passport holders. Both let you visit Australia many times over 12 months for tourism, family visits or business visitor activities, staying up to 3 months each time, with no work allowed. You apply for an ETA only through the Australian ETA app, with an AUD 20 service fee. Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore are the eligible ASEAN passports. The eVisitor is free and is for European passports. Other ASEAN citizens apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600).
ETA (601) & eVisitor (651) at a Glance
| Visa type | Temporary visitor visas |
|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 3 months each time you enter |
| Validity | 12 months (ETA: or until your passport expires, if sooner) |
| ETA cost | No visa charge. AUD 20 service fee in the Australian ETA app |
| eVisitor cost | Free |
| ASEAN passports eligible for the ETA | Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore |
| Apply from | Outside Australia only |
| Work | Not allowed. Business visitor activities only |
| Study | Up to 3 months in total |
ETA, eVisitor or Visitor Visa?
| ETA (601) | eVisitor (651) | Visitor (600) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | ETA-eligible passports, including Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the UK, the US and Canada | European passports, including the EU countries, the UK (British Citizen), Norway and Switzerland | Any nationality |
| How to apply | Australian ETA app only | ImmiAccount | ImmiAccount |
| Cost (from 1 July 2026) | AUD 20 service fee | Free | From AUD 250 (Tourist stream, outside Australia) |
| Stay | Up to 3 months per entry | Up to 3 months per entry | Usually 3 months, up to 12 months |
| Decision | Usually immediate | Varies | Varies |
See our Visitor visa (600) guide for the Tourist, Sponsored Family, Business and Frequent Traveller streams.
ASEAN Passport Holders
- Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore: eligible for the ETA through the Australian ETA app.
- Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam: not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor. Apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600).
- Frequent Traveller stream: citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (as well as China and Timor-Leste) can apply for a Visitor visa valid for up to 10 years, staying up to 3 months each visit. The charge is AUD 1,845 from 1 July 2026, and biometrics are required.
Applying for an ETA in the App
You need a phone with a camera, NFC and location services turned on. The app scans your passport chip, takes a live photo of your face and asks questions about your health, character and travel. Each family member, including children, needs their own ETA, but you can submit them together on one device. A travel agent can apply for you, but you must be with them for the live photo.
When You Should Apply for a Visitor Visa Instead
- You have a criminal conviction in any country.
- You have previously failed the health requirement.
- You plan to train at a childcare centre, study to be a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic, or enter health care or hospital settings.
- You want to stay longer than 3 months at a time.
Important Rules
- You cannot work for an Australian business or sell goods or services to the public. Working can lead to cancellation.
- Your ETA is linked to one passport. If you get a new passport, the ETA ceases and you must apply again.
- If you visit often or for long periods, officers may question whether you are a genuine visitor.
- You cannot extend an ETA or eVisitor. To stay longer you need another visa, such as a Visitor visa applied for in Australia.
- Australian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply. They enter on their Australian passport.
How to Apply
- Check your passportConfirm whether your passport is eligible for an ETA, an eVisitor or neither.
- Choose the right visaIf you have a criminal record, health issues, plan health care training or need a longer stay, apply for a Visitor visa (600) instead.
- Apply from outside AustraliaUse the Australian ETA app for an ETA, or ImmiAccount for an eVisitor or Visitor visa.
- Check your detailsMake sure your name, date of birth and passport number exactly match your passport.
- Wait for the grant before bookingDo not make travel plans until the visa is granted. Check it any time in VEVO.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
Most ETA and eVisitor applications are simple, and you can lodge them yourself. We help when things are not straightforward: past convictions, a previous refusal, health issues, long or frequent visits, or when a Visitor visa (600) or another visa is the better fit.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your ETA (601) & eVisitor (651) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (601) · Home Affairs: eVisitor (651) · Home Affairs: Visitor visa (600) · Visitor visa Frequent Traveller stream
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
Can Malaysians and Singaporeans get an ETA?
Yes. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei passports are eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601), which you apply for in the Australian ETA app.
Can Indonesians, Thais, Vietnamese or Filipinos use the ETA?
No. These passports are not eligible for the ETA or eVisitor. Apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), or the Frequent Traveller stream if you visit often.
How much does an ETA cost?
There is no visa application charge, but the Australian ETA app charges an AUD 20 service fee. The eVisitor is free.
How long can I stay on an ETA or eVisitor?
Up to 3 months each time you enter. Both visas let you travel in and out as often as you like for 12 months, and the ETA ends earlier if your passport expires.
Can I work on an ETA?
No. You can do business visitor activities such as meetings, negotiations and conferences, but you cannot work for an Australian business or sell to the public.
Can I apply for an ETA on a computer or through ImmiAccount?
No. ETAs are applied for only through the Australian ETA app on a mobile device. If you cannot use the app, apply for another suitable visa in ImmiAccount.
What if I have a criminal conviction?
Home Affairs says you should apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) and provide evidence about your convictions, rather than an ETA or eVisitor.
Do I need a new ETA if I renew my passport?
Yes. Your ETA is linked to your passport, so it ceases when you get a new passport and you must apply again.
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