How to Apply for Australian ETA Visa to Travel to Australia using App

Applying for ETA as a tourist to Australia used to be rather straightforward, but now it is more challenging due to various factors such as tourists who overstayed their visa.

📱 Electronic Travel Authority/ Visa

An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronically stored authority equivalent to a visa, which is linked to a passport number.

ETA Subclass 601 can only be apply via the AustralianETA app, while other Subclasses can be applied online through the Immi website. Check your eligibility and type of ETA suitable for you here: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

🛂 Do you need a visa?

New Zealand passport holders can travel to Australia without a visa and obtain a visa on arrival at the airport.

✔️ All other passport holders need the right visa to come to Australia. You might also need a visa to transition through Australia to another destination.

ETA Subclass 601 and 600 (Apply outside or inside Australia)

ETA Subclass 601

• The cheapest Tourist ETA to apply if you are staying up to 3 months is the Subclass 601 that costs AUD20 which only can be done using the AustralianETA app. You cannot apply for this visa online, or through an agent or airline at this time
• You may travel to Australia as often as you like throughout a calendar year (12 months). Each time you enter Australia, you may stay for up to three months.

📱 Only ETA-eligible passport holders can apply for an ETA using the AustralianETA app:

📅 How Long is the Approval Process

Allocate 1-2 months for the ETA processing time. (Some people got it approved after one month, some  in 6 weeks and others on the same day, it really depends on individual’s case)

The ETA assessment process has changed from before the pandemic. This means many of ETAs will take some time to process, rather being issued automatically. Some applicants will be asked to provide additional information in order for their ETAs to be processed.

🏨 ✈️ Booking

It is recommended not to finalize your travel arrangements (flight ticket, etc.) until you have been granted a visa, and that you ensure any bookings are flexible. (Source)

How to Apply for the ETA Visa

• Download the AustralianETA App on an NFC-enabled mobile device. Location and Camera services have to be enabled.

• Launch the Australian ETA app

• Tap on “New ETA” to start an application

• Secure your profile on your device with Face ID or Passcode

• Read and Agree to Consent Agreement

• Before Applying, read the Instructions

• Tap the “Start” button

Scan Passport

• If your device or passport have a cover, remove it.
• The app would request you to scan your passport to pre-fill your name, date of birth, passport number and other details.
• Tap “Scan passport”.
• Allow the app to access the camera.

• Place your passport on a flat surface, move your mobile device to position the full personal data page in the highlighted box.
• The red outline turns green when properly aligned.
• The scan should show the whole page including the lines at the bottom.

• Don’t obstruct the camera, avoid shadows and glare.

Don’t obstruct the camera, avoid shadows, avoid glare

Read Passport Chip

Place the back of your mobile device onto the passport, touching it, to locate the chip by moving it slowly around the passport. Once detected, hold still until the scan is complete.

Take a Photo

• Take a photo of the applicant with plain, light background during application.
• When the camera is in the right position in the highlighted oval, the red oval turns green and the photo is taken automatically.

• Answer some questions, including whether you have any criminal convictions or any prior names. It will also ask for your contact details in Australia
• Pay the service fee
• Submit the application.

You can also apply for more than one person, each application is to be filled out individually but payment can be made together. It is not required to show the app at immigration. An email will be sent to you upon visa approval and you can print out the ETA, the app is not needed anymore thereafter.

Outcome of the Application

After you have lodged your ETA application they will send you a written advice by email that might:

① ✅ Notify you that your ETA has been granted, together with your visa grant number, the date your visa starts and your visa conditions.

② ℹ️ Advise you that your application cannot be processed or approved without further information

📄 If your application cannot be processed or approved without further information:

• If you are required to provide further information, please follow the directions in the “How To – Step by Step”
• You can also confirm if your application has been approved by checking your visa status through the AustralianETA app

🚫 If you application is rejected:

• Your application can be rejected if you are not able to prove that you have a reason to return to your home. 
• You can apply for another visa that is suitable for your travel needs: explore your visa options.
• Some applicants who had their ETA Subclass 601 rejected, they applied for Subclass 600 online instead which cost AUD145 and got it granted.
• The Australian Immigrant advises you not to submit another ETA application of the same Subclass. You will see the same results.

How to Re-Submit your ETA Application

If your application was rejected due to missing or incorrect information, for example mismatched salary payment evidence, you can rectify the errors and reapply. 

Work

Other Issues

• The auto scan of passports of certain countries results in the full name being auto-filled in the “family name” field, and there is no way to amend this manually. Don’t worry, it is not a cause for concern.

Your application might take longer to process if:

• You didn’t fill it in correctly or provided inaccurate/ incomplete information
• More information is needed from you
• It takes time for the Department of Home Affairs Australia to verify your information

Provide Further Information

If you receive a message indicating that your ETA application cannot be processed then you need to provide the Department of Home Affairs with further information.

Use the form in Step 4: Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Request for further processing to provide information.

Provide as much information as possible as applications may be decided on the basis of material you provide.

Supporting documents

• A copy of your passport biodata page (the page with the passport holder’s details and photo); and your national identity card (front and back)
• Information to show you genuinely intend to visit Australia temporarily for tourism or business visitor activity purposes only. You should provide:
  1. 1. Information about the reason for your visit to Australia including information about your intended stay and activities. Please provide any evidence of arrangements (such as accommodation bookings or airfares, noting you should not finalise such arrangements until you have received a visa)
     2. You must provide a list of your immediate family members (including full names, dates of birth and their relationship to you). Immediate family members include partners, children, parents and siblings.
     3. A list of other  travelling companions (including full names, dates of birth and relationship to you).
     4. A list of family, friends and contacts in Australia (including full names and dates of birth). Please indicate if they are Australian citizens or permanent residents.  If not, please indicate their visa status and reason for their stay in Australia.
     5. Bank statements showing at least the previous three months’ salary payments.
     6. Evidence of your employment / commitments that demonstrate your intention to return. This could be:
        • An employer statement indicating your annual salary and approved leave, or
        • If you and/or your sponsor are self-employed, business registration documents and financial records for the business (such as recent bank statements and tax statements), or
        • Other evidence of incentives to return such as ongoing education or other commitments in your home country.

If you are not employed, please provide other evidence of from the person who supports you (including evidence of your relationship with that person).

Source

Entering Australia

From July 6 2022, People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status.

​Check Status/ No confirmation email

If for whatever reason the applicant does not receive any emails about the status of the Australian ETA within the standard 2-day period of processing time, they are able to submit a contact form to request an update. Remember to check the spam section of your email.

On the form, you must specify the nature of their enquiry, as well as provide the following information: