Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visas

• People from certain countries (including the United States) can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa when traveling to Australia. The electronically-stored permission can be requested for tourism or short-term business trips.
  
  Visitor and short-validity business ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue or for the life of the passport, whichever comes first. An ETA allows travelers multiple entries and stays up to three months each time.Business and visitor long-validity ETAs are valid for 10 years (or the life of the passport). You can apply for an ETA at authorized travel agents or airlines, by telephone, or through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).
  
  

Tourists

• Tourists not traveling on an ETA can come to Australia with a tourist visa, as an eVisitor (also for businesspeople) or on a sponsored family-visitor visa. Depending on the visa, you can stay in the country for up to three, six or 12 months.
  
  

Working Holiday

• The working holiday visa encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between Australia and certain countries. Young men and women can come into the country and spend an extended holiday combined with short-term employment.A working holiday visa is valid for 12 months.
  
  

Retirement

• If you are over 55 years of age, you could spend your retirement in Australia on either a retirement visa or an investor retirement visa. A retirement visa is available to those who already hold a visa and want to roll over their current visa or those whose retirement visa has expired. An investor retirement visa is only temporary for those 55 or older who are able to make a significant long-term financial investment in Australia. This visa does not entail a permanent visa.
  
  

Medical Treatment

• You can travel to Australia for medical treatment on a short-stay (up to three months) or a long-stay (from three to 12 months) visa.
  
  

Transiting Through Australia

• Those traveling through Australia for 72 hours or less receive a free transit visa. Certain nationals do not need a visa.
  
  

Event Organizers and Participants

• If you are organizing an international event or a conference in Australia or you are participating ine one, you can apply for different types of visas. The International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) service offers free advice and guidance on visa regulations.
  
  Contact details:Telephone: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (AEST)
  
  1300 550 684 (in Australia--for the cost of a local call)
  
  +61 1300 550 684 (outside Australia--standard call charges apply)
  
  immi.gov.au (the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website)
  
  

Important Information

• Australian visa regulations change from time to time. Before traveling inform yourself at the travel agency, Australian embassies or consulates, or by visiting the Department of Immigration online.