Australia eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651): Eligibility, Cost and How to Apply

The Australian eVisitor (subclass 651) is a visa for eligible passport holders visiting for tourism, family visits or permitted business visitor activities. It allows multiple visits during a 12-month travel period, with a stay of up to three months after each entry. The government visa application charge is AUD 0. Apply online through ImmiAccount while outside Australia, and remain outside Australia until a decision is made.

Eligibility depends on your citizenship, passport category and individual circumstances. A European residence permit alone does not qualify you, and an eligible passport does not guarantee approval or entry.

What is the eVisitor subclass 651 visa?

The eVisitor is electronically linked to your passport. You do not need a visa label in your passport. Its 12-month travel validity is different from the permitted stay after each arrival: it does not authorise a continuous 12-month stay.

Feature	eVisitor subclass 651
Travel validity	12 months from grant
Entries	Multiple entries while valid
Stay	Up to three months after each entry, subject to visa conditions
Government visa application charge	AUD 0
Official application route	Online through ImmiAccount
Applicant location	Outside Australia at application and decision

Check the Department of Home Affairs eVisitor guidance for the current rules and passport list.

Australian passport entry preparation and travel documents for an eVisitor subclass 651 visa

Who can apply for an Australian eVisitor?

You must be a citizen of, and hold a valid eligible passport issued by, a country on the Department's list. The published list includes:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (British Citizen passports) and Vatican City.

For Vatican City, the passport must identify the holder as a national of Vatican City (Holy See). Other British passport categories have different eligibility: do not assume that a British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen or another British travel document qualifies.

A residence permit, non-citizen passport, certificate of identity or refugee travel document does not establish eVisitor eligibility. Check the exact document category against the official list. Australian citizens cannot apply for this visa.

You must also meet health and character requirements, genuinely intend a temporary visit, have sufficient money for your stay and departure, and satisfy the rules on debts to the Australian Government. Those debt rules can also concern family members who are not applying with you.

If you have a criminal conviction, Home Affairs advises applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead. Declare your circumstances accurately and follow the Department's instructions; do not assume that being eligible by nationality settles the character assessment.

Valid passport and supporting documents required for an Australian eVisitor 651 visa application

What information and documents should you prepare?

• Your valid eligible passport and accurate passport details.
• Your full name, date of birth, citizenship, residential address and contact information.
• Details of the reason for your visit and the information requested in the application.
• Any supporting evidence requested for your circumstances, such as financial, health or character information.

The documents needed depend on your application. Follow the form and any subsequent requests rather than treating a general checklist as a complete list for everyone. If submitting documents in another language, follow the Department's English translation requirements.

If you receive a new passport, follow the official passport-update instructions before travelling. For an eVisitor, updating passport details is different from the ETA 601 rule requiring a new ETA after a passport replacement.

How to apply for eVisitor subclass 651 online

1. Check eligibility. Review your passport category, visit purpose and personal circumstances against the official eVisitor requirements.
2. Open ImmiAccount. Use the Department's ImmiAccount guidance to access the government application system.
3. Complete the eVisitor application. Enter your details exactly as requested, including names and passport information. Answer health and character questions truthfully.
4. Check and submit. Attach requested evidence, review your answers and submit. There is no government visa application charge for subclass 651.
5. Monitor the application. Check ImmiAccount and your email for requests and the written decision. Remain outside Australia until the application has been decided.

If granted, read and retain your visa grant notification. Check your travel dates, permitted stay and conditions before departure. Wait for the grant before making travel commitments.

Traveler completing an Australian eVisitor subclass 651 visa application online

How long does eVisitor 651 processing take?

Processing time varies between applications. Consult the official visa processing times guide for the latest subclass 651 figures.

Published figures describe recently decided applications. They are estimates, not an approval deadline for your application. Missing information, checks and requests for evidence can affect the time needed. Apply ahead of your intended departure and do not rely on an assumed same-day decision.

How much does the eVisitor cost?

The government visa application charge for subclass 651 is AUD 0. A visa with no application charge is still a visa; it is not visa-free entry.

Optional private assistance may carry separate charges. Before paying, ask what assistance is included, which amounts are service or administrative charges, and which cancellation or refund terms apply. A private fee does not guarantee approval or faster government assessment.

Which activities are allowed?

Tourism and visits: holidays and visits to family or friends are permitted purposes.

Business visits: eligible activities can include contract discussions and attending conferences. Conference participation has conditions, including restrictions on payment by organisers. Business visitor permission is not permission to work for, or supply services to, an Australian business or organisation, or sell directly to the public.

Study or training: the limit is up to three months in total on this visa, in permitted circumstances. Do not treat it as a fresh study allowance after every arrival. If study is your main purpose, consider the appropriate student visa. Healthcare-related study or training and childcare placements require checking the Department's specific guidance before selecting a visa.

Can you extend an eVisitor or stay longer?

You cannot extend an existing subclass 651 visa. If you want to stay longer, check whether another visa suits your circumstances and whether you can apply from your current location. A Visitor visa (subclass 600) may be an option in some situations; eligibility is not automatic.

Multiple entry allows further visits while the eVisitor is valid, but repeated or lengthy visits can lead to questions about whether you are a genuine visitor. Leaving and returning should not be treated as a guaranteed way to live in Australia.

Use your grant notification and VEVO to check your current visa details, arrival deadline, permitted stay and conditions.

Can you extend an eVisitor Australian eVisitor 651 or stay longer 

eVisitor 651, ETA 601 and Visitor 600 compared

Feature	eVisitor 651	ETA 601	Visitor 600
Eligibility	Specified citizenships and passport categories	Separate ETA passport eligibility	Depends on stream and circumstances
Stay	Up to three months per entry	Up to three months per entry	As specified in the grant
Entries	Multiple while valid	Multiple while valid	As specified in the grant
Government visa application charge	AUD 0	AUD 0	A charge generally applies; check the relevant stream
Mandatory ETA app service charge	Not applicable	AUD 20	Not applicable
Official application channel	ImmiAccount	Australian ETA app	Check the relevant stream; generally ImmiAccount

The ETA app charge belongs to subclass 601. It is not an eVisitor fee. Optional private service and administrative charges are separate from the official amounts in this comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Is eVisitor 651 free?

The government visa application charge is AUD 0. Optional private assistance can involve a separate fee.

Can I apply from inside Australia?

No. You must be outside Australia when applying and when the application is decided.

Can an eVisitor cover a continuous six-month visit?

No. The permitted stay is up to three months after each entry. Consider another suitable visa if you need a longer continuous stay.

Do children need their own application?

Yes. Each family member needs a separate application, including children. Each applicant must meet the applicable requirements.

Does approval guarantee entry?

No. You must still meet applicable border requirements and comply with your visa conditions.

Check your options before travelling

Start with the Department of Home Affairs guidance for your passport and travel purpose. Australian Immigration Services (auimmigration.org) is independent of the Australian Government. To ask what assistance may be available for your circumstances, contact the support team. Confirm scope, fees and terms before requesting a paid service. Visa decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs.