Australia is an incredible country that surprises and delights. Are you planning a trip to Australia? Find out more about the rules for entering the country, necessary documents and requirements.

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Australia is an interesting and unusual country that attracts travelers from all over the world. As Australia is isolated from all other continents, the country's wildlife is rich and unique. Here you can meet the loudest and most colorful birds, dog-like dingoes, the cutest fluffy koalas and the indigenous inhabitants of the country - kangaroos. There are also so many beaches in Australia that if you visited a new one every day, it would take you 27 years to see them all. 

Visa requirements in Australia

Australia's visa policy stipulates that almost all visitors must apply for a visa before traveling to the country.

The only exception is New Zealand citizens who enjoy the right of residence and receive a special category visa upon arrival in Australia.

The requirements for each individual depend on a number of factors, including citizenship, length of stay, and purpose of travel to Australia.

There are several different types of visas and travel permits for Australia:

• Special Category Visa (SCV) - a special visa on arrival granted to New Zealand citizens. According to the Transatlantic Travel Agreement, New Zealanders have the right to visit, study, live and work in Australia. The SCV is provided upon arrival in the country as proof of this right and can replace a tourist visa, business visa, residence permit and work visa to Australia. Unlike most foreign nationals, New Zealanders do not need to apply for an Australian visa in advance. The SCV is valid until the date when the New Zealand citizen leaves the country.
• The ETA allows the holder to visit Australia an unlimited number of times, up to 3 months per visit, within a 12-month period for tourist or business purposes. There is no fee for applying for the visa, but there is a service fee of AU$20 for the online application. All ETA holders must be free of tuberculosis and have no criminal record at the time of travel and entry into Australia. Citizens of the following countries can apply for an ETA: Malaysia, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. 
• eVisitor - this system was approved on October 27, 2008, replacing the old eVisa system. The eVisitor is issued free of charge and allows the holder to visit Australia an unlimited number of times, up to 3 months per visit, within 12 months for tourist or business purposes. All eVisitor holders must be free of tuberculosis and have no criminal convictions at the time of travel and entry to Australia. The following countries can receive eVisitor: the European Union (Albania, Germany, France, Poland, etc.), Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Vatican.

To obtain a visa, applicants will need a valid passport of the respective country, a current email address, and a payment method. 

Tourists from all other countries must obtain a tourist visa to Australia at the country's embassy. Any tourist wishing to stay in Australia for longer than 3 months must also apply for a long-term visa at the embassy, regardless of their nationality.

• Most foreign nationals planning to visit Australia must obtain a consular visa at the Australian Embassy, regardless of the purpose of their visit or the duration of their stay in the country. According to the Australian visa policy, citizens of about 200 different sovereign states must apply for a tourist visa in advance at an Australian consulate (Armenia, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, etc.). To apply for a consular visa, citizens of these countries must make an appointment at an Australian diplomatic mission abroad.
• Business visitors from a number of countries can visit Australia without a visa for up to 90 days if they hold an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) with the code "AUS" on the back. Eligible nationals are Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Approximate list of documents for applying for a visa to Australia

When you apply for a visa to Australia, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Passport.
• Australian visa application form.
• Paid visa fee.
• One photo.
• Proof of financial means.
• Certificate of no criminal record. 
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce documents, etc. 
• Medical insurance.
• Certificate of temporary residence (you can prove that you will leave Australia after your visa expires due to previous obligations in your home country). 
• Detailed itinerary.
• Booking of accommodation.
• Letter of authorization from your employer.
• Letter of invitation.

Australia visa requirements for underage applicants

If persons under the age of 18 apply for any type of Australian visa, there is a set of special documents that must be part of the application:

• A letter of consent from a parent/guardian.
• A completed and signed authorization form.
• A legal declaration.
• Declaration of commitment (in cases where the underage applicant will live with an adult family member/friend in Australia).

Transit rules

If you are transiting through Australia, you must have a ticket for the next flight departing Australia no later than 72 hours after your first entry. If there is no suitable connecting flight, you will not be able to transit Australia. To transit through Australia, you must have a valid visa or be a citizen of a country that allows transit without a visa (TWOV). If you do not have these permits, you must apply for a visa to enter Australia.

When traveling abroad, take care of your health insurance. A health insurance policy that is valid worldwide guarantees you a safe stay anywhere. 

You can find out how to get a work visa to Australia here, and we've talked about the peculiarities of the country's healthcare system earlier.

Apply for a tourist visa on our Visit World service.

Write to the manager on the Hotline and he will select a visa for you.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Australia;

Legal advice on business issues in Australia;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Australia;

Medical insurance around the world.

More articles on the topic: 

7 best cities in Australia for expats to live and work.