One question many people ask is the Australia eVisitor visa necessary for US citizens. The short answer is no. Only citizens of the European Union are eligible for this type of visa, not US citizens. Instead, Americans are eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority Visa.
The only way American passport holders will qualify for this Australia visa is if they have an EU passport or dual citizenship.
Americans Need ETA To Visit Australia
Americans may apply for the ETA just like citizens of 8 other countries already on the ETA designation list. Applying for ETA is also very easy. The application form is available online, and you can do it yourself or enlist the help of airlines and travel agents to help you out. Besides you can also get help from the Australian embassy or any of its consular offices.
ETA is issued by Australian government to visitors solely for business trips and tourism. As long as your visa is still valid you can enter Australia.
Americans may apply for the ETA just like citizens of 8 other countries already on the ETA designation list. Applying for ETA is also very easy. The application form is available online, and you can do it yourself or enlist th help of airlines and travel agents to help you out. Besides, you can also get help from the Australian embassy or any of its consular offices
ETA Qualifications
US citizens who don’t qualify for eVisitor qualify for ETA provided they have the following.
Passport
You need a US passport that will not expire for at least 3 months from the day of your arrival. Note that visa validity is counted from the arrival date, not the date the form is submitted. A valid passport that will expire in less than 150 days will be rejected.
Healthy
Only healthy US citizens are allowed to visit Australia on a short visa. Applicants with serious health conditions are not allowed into Australia on this visa. They also must prove that they don’t have any health conditions that will place a financial strain on the public health sector.
Criminal Record
A full character assessment is required, and accurate information should be provided. The applicant must not have a poor criminal record and must not have served jail time of 12 months or more.
Special Checks
In special cases, the applicant may be asked to subject themselves to a medical examination by public health experts. Proof of good conduct may also be required, a police certificate or a letter from an employer. In certain cases, visitors who got their visas and traveled to Australia may be denied entry and sent back to their countries if they provide fictitious information or fake documents.
The Australian Home Office possesses the legal right to deny any visitor entry into the country if they are perceived to have provided false information to mislead Australians.
How To Obtain An Australia ETA Visa?
The ETA Australian visa is easy to obtain by following these steps.
Visit The Website
Visit the visa application website and click on the application icon to commence the process.
Personal Details
Enter your details into the fields provided. Make sure all information is valid.
Provide a valid email address that you can access. The Australian eta visa will be sent to the email once it is approved. Check Spam if you don’t find it in your inbox after 48 hours.
Visa Application Fee
Pay the visa fee using a debit or credit card. After making the payment, you can submit the form.
After submitting the form, it may take a few hours or up to 2 days to get the visa. In special cases, it may take much longer to get it, but the good news is that it lasts for 1 year, so you don’t have to apply for a new one anytime soon.
The ETA has similar features to the eVisitor visa as it allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Furthermore, you can use it multiple times within the year until it expires.
Important Conditions To Remember
Not For Work
Australia eVisitor and ETA visas are not for work, so you break the law if you engage in any form of paid work as a US citizen. These visas do not have work permits attached to them because they are only meant for tourist visits and business activities. Applicants are expected to show proof of funds to cover their living expenses while in the country, not to source for work to earn a living.
If you want to live and work in Australia, visit the Australian embassy in Washington DC, or any of its consulates to apply for a work visa or residence permit.
Minors
Minors traveling with their parents or guardians must apply for a visa on their behalf separately. Two people cannot use the same visa, irrespective of their ages.
Is the Australia eVisitor visa necessary for US citizens? It is not, but Americans can apply for an electronic travel authorization visa.