What Is Electronic Travel Authority?

If you are a foreigner intending to travel to Australia or New Zealand for either tourism or business, then you might be familiar with the Electronic Travel Authority. But what is ETA and do you really need it? This Electronic Travel Authority quick guide is comprehensive, with all the information you might need in a nutshell.

What is an ETA?

An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronic document that grants the holder permission to travel to Australia or New Zealand in advance of their journey. It can be compared to the tourist or business visa as it enables you to stay for short periods without having to apply for a full visa.

Who Requires an ETA for Australia?

Citizens from these countries need to get an Australian ETA before traveling to Australia

- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vatican City

If you are a passport holder of these countries, you are advised to apply for an Australian ETA before leaving for Australia or else you will not be allowed to board the plane or enter the country. Other nationals may apply for an ETA but this is not mandatory.

Which Individuals Require an ETA for New Zealand?

Citizens from these countries need to get a New Zealand ETA before traveling to New Zealand

- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City

People from these countries are required to apply for an NZeTA before embarking on a journey to New Zealand. However, people of other nationalities can also apply for the NZeTA although it is not mandatory for them to do so.

ETA: What It Can Enable You To Do

An Australian or New Zealand ETA allows you to

• Visit the country as a tourist or for a business trip
  
• The allowed length of stay per entry is up to 3 months.
  
• Cross the border of the selected country more than once within the validity period which is one year for Australian ETA and two years for NZeTA.

An ETA does NOT allow you to

• Work in Australia or New Zealand
  
• To build up your stamina, study for long hours
  
• Immigrate or attain permanent residence
  
• Exceptionally, you may wish to extend your stay beyond the 3 months allowed per entry.

If you wish to engage in any of the aforementioned activities, then you will have to apply for the relevant visa and not an ETA.

Applying for an ETA

Applying for an Australian or New Zealand ETA is a quick and easy online process

1. Visit the official government ETA website. For Australia, visit eta.homeaffairs.gov.au. For New Zealand, you can go to eta.immigration.govt.nz.

2. Provide your personal details such as your name, nationality, passport details etc., in the online application form.

3. Pay the fee – for Australian ETA the fee is approximately $20 Australian Dollars, while for New Zealand ETA the fee is $12 New Zealand Dollars.

4. In most cases, their application will be approved in real time, and the ETA will be sent to their email shortly. Depending on the specific application some may take up to 72 hours to be processed.

5. Upon approval, your ETA will become electronically associated with your passport data. You do not need to print anything out. Immigration and airlines can electronically confirm the status of your ETA at the time of check-in and upon your arrival.

Do not forget to apply for your Australian or New Zealand ETA once you have finalized your travel plans to avoid any inconveniences. There are some airlines that will not allow you to board your flight without proof of your ETA approval.

Traveling to Australia or New Zealand With an ETA

After you reach the airport of Australia or New Zealand, immigration authorities will use electronic system to check your and your ETA together with your passport. So long as you are able to produce a valid ETA tied to your passport, then you should be able to gain entry as a short-term tourist.

You will also have to satisfy all other standard requirements such as producing an onward or return ticket, evidence of sufficient funds for the stay, etc. It is highly recommended to verify which documents will be required for your trip in advance.

For short visits to either Australia or New Zealand, an Australian or New Zealand ETA helps to remove most of the complexities. Now we know that there is no problem with obtaining advance permission, you can fly with your tourist or business trip and enjoy it without any worry!

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