601 VISA – Electronic Travel Authority Visa Subclass 601
What is a 601 Visa?
601 Visa, also known as Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), is an electronic permit that allows eligible passport holders to visit Australia for holiday, family, or business purposes. It is generally granted for up to 12 months, but you can only stay for 3 months on each visit. The application process for the 601 Visa is entirely online, making it easier and quicker to get the visa. You must submit the 601 Visa through the Australian ETA App, which you can download from the App Store or Playstore.
601 Visa Cost and Processing Time
There is no exact processing time for the 601 Visa, but most applicants get their 601 Visa granted within 24 hours after submitting the application online.
There is also no application charge for a 601 Visa, but you must pay an online charge of AUD 20.
Who can get a 601 Visa?
You can apply for the 601 Visa if you hold a passport from one of the following countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (SAR of China)
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Norway
- Portugal
- Republic of San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports)
- The Netherlands
- United Kingdom—British Citizen
- United Kingdom—British National (Overseas)
- United States of America
- Vatican City
In addition, you must:
- You must be a genuine visitor (stay temporarily in Australia, obey any condition and stay period attached to your visa).
- You must meet health and character requirements.
What You Can Do As an ETA Visa Holder
The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) allows you to:
- Travel to Australia for a holiday
- Visit family or friends
- Enter Australia on a cruise
- Undertake some business visitor activities, such as:
- Inquire about jobs or business.
- Look into, negotiate, sign or examine a business agreement.
- Carry out tasks in relation to an official government visit.
- Participate in a seminar, trade show, or conference. You cannot be paid by the organizers to participate.
- Volunteer work tourism schemes
- Stay up to 3 months each time you enter Australia.
Stay and Conditions on 601 Visa
With the 601 Visa, you can stay in Australia for up to 3 months on each visit. If you violate this stay condition, your ETA may get cancelled.
In addition, the following visa conditions may be imposed on your 601 Visa:
- 8115 – Limited Activities
- 8201 – Maximum 3 months study
- 8527 – Must be free from Tuberculosis
- 8528 – Have no criminal convictions for which sentence is 12 months or more
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Subclass 601 Visa Application Process
Before you apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa, you should check to see if you have met all the requirements. After ensuring your eligibility, you can go through the following steps to apply for a 601 Visa:
- Open the Australian ETA App on your phone.
- Select your country of residence and reasons for travelling (business or tourism).
- Input your personal data and passport details.
- Type in the reason for your travel.
- Finalise the application fee for ETA.
- Provide your email address so the Department can get in touch with you regarding the status of your application.
If the Department of Home Affairs grants your ETA application, you will receive an email stating the details of your ETA, including the duration and visa grant number.
What if my ETA application gets refused?
If your 601 Visa or Australian ETA application is refused, you should check the decision letter first. The Department of Home Affairs will include the reason for the refusal.
If you believe the decision was an error, you can contact the Department of Home Affairs to inquire about the decision. Otherwise, you may consider lodging a new 601 Visa application or the Visitor Visa (subclass 600).
Get full guidance on what to do when the Australian ETA gets refused here.
Frequently Asked Questions For Subclass 601 Visa
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your questions about the 601 Visa!
- How long is an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa valid?
- An Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa is valid for 12 months and requires a 3-month stay each time you enter Australia.
- Can I get an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa at the airport?
- All visitor visas must be obtained before reaching the Australian border.
- This means an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa will not be issued at the airport.
- You should apply for this visa before you depart from your country to reach Australia.
- How can I extend my Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa?
- You can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa, but you can apply for another temporary visa.
- You may be eligible to apply for a Visitor visa subclass 600 (apply in Australia) if you want a further short stay or stay longer for a holiday.
- Can I include my family members in my application?
- You can’t include your family member in your application.
- You should make a separate application for each member of your family.
- Can I apply for an Australian visa again after being refused?
- You need to know the reason for the refusal or if you are eligible for the visa.
- You may want to consult an agent if you are unsure.
- If Immigration suggests you apply for another visa type, you can apply for a Visitor visa subclass 600.
- What is the difference between an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa and an e-Visitor?
- Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa and eVisitor are similar, both of the visas allow you to visit Australia for up to 3 months each time you enter Australia.
- The main difference between them is only certain passport holders of certain countries can apply for ETA or eVisitor.
- Depending on your circumstances, if you hold a passport that is eligible for both visas, then an eVisitor visa may likely be the easiest and least costly option for you.
- Can I work in Australia with my Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa?
- This visa does not allow you to work in Australia, but if you want to work in Australia, you can apply for another visa type that will allow you to work.
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