All foreign nationals, except for the citizens of New Zealand, are required to have a valid visa to enter Australia. The Australian government offers two types of visas to international travelers, including a regular visa and an electronic travel authorization (ETA).
Compared to a regular visa, an ETA is more convenient and faster. You don’t need to visit the Australian embassy or consulate office. Instead, you can apply for an ETA from the comfort of your home.
Do Italians Need An Australian Visa?
Yes, Italian citizens do need a valid travel document to enter Australia. The Australian immigration department of home affairs offers different types of travel documents to Italians. Undoubtedly, the best choice for you is an ETA, also known as an Australian eVisitor visa!
An Australian eVisitor visa is an online travel document that allows holders to visit Australia for both tourism and business purposes. It is valid for multiple entries within a 12-month period. A holder of an eVisitor visa can stay in Australia for 90 consecutive days.
The only issue with an Australia eVisitor visa is that it cannot be renewed, meaning you'll need to leave Australia once your travel documents expire. So, if you want to stay in Australia for a longer period of time, you'll need to apply for a regular visa, including:
Tourist Visa
Italian passport holders who are not eligible for an ETA - due to any reason - can apply for a regular tourist visa. This travel document is valid for all sorts of tourism purposes, including:
Exploring the country
Meeting with family members and friends
Spending vacations
Business Visa
Alternatively, you can also apply for a business visitor visa for professional and commercial activities, such as:
Attending conferences and seminars
Meeting with business associates
Enrolling in a training program
Transit Visa
If an Italian citizen is transiting through Australia, he/she doesn't require a transit visa. This visa exemption is valid if they are transiting for 8 hours or less. Plus, you cannot leave the airport if you are transiting through Australia without a valid Australia visa!
Required Documents for An Australian ETA
To apply for a visa online, you only need a handful of documents, including:
Valid Passport - A copy of your original passport with at least 2 blank pages for stamps and 3 months of remaining validity.
Email Address - An active and valid email address. Your email will be electronically linked to your passport. Upon approval, you'll receive your ETA via email.
Health Clearance Document - A document indicating you don’t have diseases that can affect the general public.
Means of Payment - You're required to pay the embassy fee as well as the visa service fee. As this entire process is online, you'll need to use online payment methods, such as a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account.
Besides these, you might need some additional documents depending on your purpose of visit. You will also need to answer some personal and security questions.
The Australian government demands you to fulfill some character and health requirements before applying for an ETA, such as:
Proof of good conduct
No criminal convictions
Requiring no costly community and health service
Not suffering from tuberculosis
Posing no threat to the general public
Australia ETA Application Process
Most Italian travelers prefer an Australian eVisitor visa as applying for it is a straightforward process. No need to visit the Australian embassy. No need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview. No need to waste an entire day just to submit your visa application form. Instead, you can apply for an Australian ETA within 10 minutes from the comfort of your home!
To apply online for an ETA, all you need to do is visit VisaHQ and follow the following simple steps:
Fill out the Australian visa application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit your application
That's it! Afterward, the Australian embassy will process your application. Once approved, you'll receive your ETA via email.
ETA Application Form
To fill out your online form, you'll need to provide the following information:
Personal Information - Full name, date of birth, address
Passport Details - Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
Health Information - Relevant medical history
Travel Plans - Itinerary, travel dates, hotel bookings
Make sure to double-check your provided information prior to submitting your application form. If there are errors or mistakes in your application, your ETA will be delayed or denied!
Processing Time
The processing time for an Australian ETA varies from applicant to applicant. The estimated processing time for an Australian ETA is 3-5 business days. However, due to high demand and secondary checks, you might need to wait a little longer. Therefore, it's recommended to apply for an Australian visa at least 2-3 weeks prior to the intended departure date!