Do You Need A Visa To Travel To Australia?

The necessity of obtaining a visa to visit Australia is defined by the purposes and duration of the stay as well as the nationality of the applicant. Here is a breakdown of Australia's visa requirements.

Is Australia Visa Required For Tourist?

Residents of certain countries are able to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) online to visit Australia for tourism purposes. An ETA enables one to visit Australia for up to 3 months at a time for the purposes of tourism or business.

The ETA is available to passport holders from the following countries.

• Brunei
  
• Canada
  
• Hong Kong (SAR)
  
• Japan
  
• Malaysia
  
• Singapore
  
• South Korea
  
• Taiwan
  
• United States

If you are a citizen of one of those countries, you can easily apply for an ETA through the internet. It takes AU$20 and the approval mostly takes not more than 5-10 minutes. An ETA is attached to your passport electronically and is valid for 12 months or until the passport expires whichever comes first.

Instead of the ETA citizens of the EU countries can apply for an eVisitor visa which enables the holder to travel to Australia for up to three months at a time. This visa is free.

Is It Necessary To Obtain A Visa For A Long Stay In Australia?

If you wish to go to Australia for tourism, and your intended stay exceeds 3 months, or if you are a citizen of a country that is not eligible for ETA or eVisitor, you will have to apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).

A Subclass 600 visa enables one to stay for between three months and twelve months and you can apply for single or multiple entries according to your preference. It usually takes about one month to have your application processed and more documents have to be submitted such as proof of funds, health/travel insurance, and details of your intended stay in Australia.

Is It Necessary To Obtain A Visa For Employing Foreigners In Australia On A Short-Term Basis?

If you wish to find employment in Australia, you will be required to have a particular visa that permits temporary working. The main visas used for short term work include:The main visas used for short term work include:

Working Holiday Visa: For youngsters who wish to finance their travels with temporary employment. Permits visitors to stay up to a year.
Work and Holiday Visa: For students and young people for professional development and practical experience in the Australian context. It is effective for up to one year.
Temporary Work Visa (Subclass 400): For very technical, temporary positions that require hiring of contract employees. This is valid up to the next 12 months.
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482): For positions that cannot be filled by Australian workers due to lack of qualifications or experience. It is valid for up to 4 years depending on the stream of a candidate.
Seasonal Worker Program Visa: Specifically for the workers who are employed in plant & animal cultivation in regional area of Australia. Permits stays of nine months in any one and half year period.

Do You Require A Permanent Residence Visa For Australia?

If your desire is to move to Australia for an indefinite stay, you will have to meet the requirements and apply for a permanent residency visa. The main pathways include:

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): For those individuals who are highly qualified in their respective fields to ensure that they can meet the labor market in Australia.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Where the application has been made by an applicant nominated by the government of a state or territory in accordance with arrangements made under section 71 based on the demand for occupation.
Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491): Applicants who are willing to work in regional Australia to meet the demand of workers in various sectors.

Skills assessment, English language ability, sufficient funds, and meeting points based on factors such as age, education, and work experience are part of general eligibility.

The procedure of applying for permanent residency may be quite lengthy and intricate and therefore it is advisable for the applicants to seek the services of an attorney.

Key Points To Remember:

• All the leading western nations can visit Australian territory for a period of ninety days without applying for a visa because of the visa waiver schemes.
  
• If you want to visit as a tourist and your stay will be more than 90 days or if you will be working while in Australia, there is a visa that you must obtain prior to your travel.
  
• Permanent immigration is however a rigorous process and it is advisable that you engage the services of a migration agent.

Make sure to check requirements for your country before planning to travel to Australia to be able to apply for the right visa for your travel. With the proper documents, your Australian trip will be as fun as this kangaroo!

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