Except for the citizens of New Zealand, all foreign nationals are required to have a valid travel document to enter Australia. Australian government offers different types of travel documents for different purposes, including tourism, business, transit, and so on.
Australian travel documents can be categorized into two categories: traditional paper or stamp visa and electronic visa, aka an electronic travel authority (ETA). Compared to a traditional visa, an ETA is considered a more convenient option as you can apply online for an electronic travel authorization.
Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Australian ETA is actually an eVisitor visa that permits holders to enter the country without a paper or stamp visa. A holder of this travel document enjoys all the rights of a traditional visa. The only difference between an Australian eVisitor visa and a traditional visa is that you can apply for an ETA from the comfort of your home.
Australian eVisitor visa is becoming more and more popular because of the convenience it provides. You don’t have to visit the Australian embassy or consulate office anymore, which means no more following complicated steps or scheduling a visa interview. To get an Australian ETA, all you need is a stable internet connection and a laptop or a mobile device!
Validity Period
French citizens can get an Australia eVisitor visa for tourism and business purposes, including:
Visiting relatives
Exploring the country
Meeting with business associates
Attending seminars and conferences
It's a multiple-entry visa that allows you to stay in Australia for 90 consecutive days. An Australian eVisitor visa comes with a total validity period of 1 year. This means French nationals can enter Australia as many times as desired within a 12-month period.
Required Documents for an Australia ETA
To get an Australian ETA, French passport holders are required to provide some necessary documents, also known as the visa requirements. Generally speaking, you need only 3 documents to get an ETA, including:
Valid Passport - A copy of your original passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity with 2 blank pages.
E-mail Address - Upon approval, you'll receive your e-visa via email. Your email address will be electronically linked to your passport. So, make sure to use a valid and active email address.
Debit or Credit Card - As this entire process is online, you'll need online means of payment to pay the embassy fee as well as the visa service fees.
These are the most basic documents required to apply for an Australian visa. Besides these, you might have to submit some additional documents, such as a health declaration form, criminal record, passport-type photograph, and so on.
Therefore, it's recommended to visit VisaHQ to check the Australian visa requirements prior to submitting your visa application form!
How to Apply for an Australian ETA from France?
It's recommended to get an Australian ETA instead of a traditional visa because applying for it is a straightforward process. You don’t have to worry about wasting an entire day at the Australian embassy or consulate. Instead, you can complete this entire process within 10 minutes from the comfort of your home. All you need is a stable internet connection and a laptop or mobile device.
To get an Australian eVisitor visa from France, you need to follow the following steps:
Visit VisaHQ
Select your citizenship
Fill out the visa application form
Pay the visa processing fees
Submit your online application
Afterward, the Australian embassy will process your application and issue your e-visitor visa. Once approved, you'll receive your travel authorization via email!
ETA Application Form
While completing the Australian visa application process, pay close attention to your visa application form. You'll need to provide personal details, contact information, passport details, as well as travel plans, such as:
Name and surname
Date of birth
Place of birth
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
Phone number
criminal record
health document
Email address
Permanent address
Travel dates
Before you submit your application form, make sure to double-check the provided information. This is because if there are errors or mistakes in your visa application form, your Australian ETA will be delayed or denied.
Processing Time
The processing time for an Australia visa varies from a few days to up to 9 months. On average, French nationals can get an ETA within 30 business days if there are no errors in their application!
Once you get your Australian ETA, you can pack your bag and visit Australia. Keep in mind that an ETA does not guarantee your entry to the country. The final decision will be made by the immigration officers. So, make sure to fulfill all the entry requirements and have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate prior to traveling to avoid self-isolation!