Each year millions of visitors enter Australia for tourism and business purposes. This is because the country has everything a tourist and business person requires, from delicious cuisines to gorgeous landscapes. On top of that, the Australian government is working continuously to make the visa application process simple and convenient.
Except for New Zealand citizens, all foreign travelers are required to get a valid visa to enter Australia. The country offers different types of travel documents to different nationality holders. In this article, we have mentioned everything you need to know about Australian visa policies for Hong Kong passport holders.
So, without further ado, let's get into it!
Australia Visa Options for Hong Kong Citizens
As mentioned earlier, Australia offers different types of visas for different purposes. To Hong Kong nationals, the Australian government offers the following types of travel documents:
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Hong Kong is one of the 8 countries whose citizens are eligible for electronic travel authority or ETA. An ETA is an e-visa that Hong Kong citizens can get to enter the country without a traditional paper or stamp visa.
An ETA permits holders to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days within a 1-year period. It is a multiple-entry travel document that allows you to enter the country for both tourism and business purposes.
That being said, to get an ETA, you are required to fulfill some character, passport, and health requirements, including:
Travelers must have a passport with at least 3 months of remaining validity.
They must have good character.
They must not have a criminal record.
They must not have a disease that can affect Australian citizens.
If you fulfill all these requirements, you can apply for an ETA online!
Tourist Visa
If, for some reason, you are not eligible for an ETA, you can always apply for a traditional Australian visa. An Australian tourist visa allows you to enter the country to:
Visit friends and family members
Spend holidays
Explore the country
It is also a multiple-entry visa that stays valid for 12 months. You can use this travel document to stay in Australia for 90 consecutive days.
Business Visa
Alternatively, you can also apply for a traditional business visa to enter Australia for professional and commercial activities, such as:
Attending seminars and conferences
Meeting with business associates
Enrolling in a training program
Just like a tourist visa, a business visa stays valid for 12 months. It is also valid for multiple entries and allows you to stay in the country for 90 days.
Work Visa
In case a Hong Kong citizen wants to work in Australia, he/she is required to apply for temporary visas specially designed for work. To pursue a career, you can apply for a subclass 400 temporary visa. This one stays valid for 90 days. Afterward, you are required to renew it or leave the country.
Working Holiday Visa
Furthermore, if Hong Kong nationals want to both spend their holidays and work in Australia, they will need a multiple-entry working holiday visa. A working holiday visa stays valid for 12 months and allows holders to stay in the country for 12 consecutive months.
How to Apply for an Australian Visa from Hong Kong?
As you can see, Australia offers different types of visas for different purposes. So, the application process varies as well!
For an ETA, you'll need to download the "Australia ETA" app on your smartphone and fill out the ETA application form. This one is the most convenient option for you because you're not required to visit the Australian embassy or submit your documents in person.
Alternatively, if you want to get a traditional Australian visa, you'll need to visit the embassy. Fortunately, VisaHQ has made the regular visa application system simple as well. Now, you can partner up with VisaHQ, and we'll do all the work. All you need to do is:
Fill out the Australia visa application form
Pay the embassy and visa service fee
Submit your online form with supporting documents
The supporting documents depend upon your purpose of visit. So, make sure to check the Australia visa requirements prior to submitting your visa application form.
To apply for a visa, you are required to pay both the embassy fee as well as the visa service fee. As this is an online process, you'll need online payment methods, such as debit card, credit card, or PayPal account.
Processing Time
The processing time for an Australian visa also depends on your visa type. The estimated processing time for an ETA is 1-3 business days. However, you will receive your traditional visas within 30 days. In addition, the processing time for a work visa for Australia is 5-7 business days.