Updated 7 September 2026 · Australian eVisitor Guide
Current subclass 651 eligibility, eligible passports, permitted activities, application process and comparison with ETA 601 and Visitor visa 600.
The eVisitor visa subclass 651 is a free electronic visitor visa for eligible European passport holders. It permits tourism, family visits and specified business visitor activities. During the visa’s 12-month travel period, the holder can enter Australia multiple times and stay for up to three months on each visit.
Quick answer: A 651 visa for Australia is free to apply for, normally valid for 12 months from grant and allows multiple visits of up to three months each. You must hold an eligible passport, apply while outside Australia and be outside Australia when Home Affairs decides the application.
The eVisitor 651 is digitally linked to the passport used in the application. There is no physical visa label. It is designed for a genuine temporary visit, not residence, ongoing work or repeated three-month stays used to live in Australia indefinitely.
Application charge
AUD 0
Travel period
12 months
Each visit
Up to 3
months
Entries
Multiple
The 12 months normally start on the date of grant, not the first arrival. Each trip must end within the permitted three-month stay. Time outside Australia does not pause or extend the visa’s overall travel validity.
Does leaving Australia reset the three months?
A genuine departure followed by a later entry generally starts a new permitted visit, provided the visa remains valid and border clearance is granted. However, frequent back-to-back visits can raise questions about genuine temporary intent. A round-trip cruise beginning and ending in Australia generally does not count as leaving Australia for this purpose, so it does not reset the stay period.
Who can apply for the eVisitor 651?
You must be a citizen holding an eligible passport. Living in an eligible country, having residence there or holding a Schengen visa is insufficient. The current eVisitor passport list is:
A–I
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland and Italy.
L–P
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Romania.
S–V
Republic of San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom—British Citizen—and Vatican City.
UK passport category matters
The eligible UK category is British Citizen. A person whose only passport is British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, British Subject or another non-qualifying British category cannot assume eligibility for subclass 651.
651 visa requirements
Home Affairs assesses the applicant, purpose, and immigration history. Core requirements include:
Hold an eligible eVisitor passport and apply individually.
Be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
Genuinely intend a temporary visit for tourism or permitted business visitor activities.
Have enough funds for the stay and departure.
Meet health and character requirements and address any Australian Government debt.
Meet the best-interests requirement for an applicant under 18.
Each traveller, including a child, needs a separate visa application. Family members cannot be combined into one eVisitor application. VEM’s Australian Visitor visa guide explains how passport, purpose and intended stay affect the correct option.
Health insurance and medical treatment
Most temporary visitors are responsible for their own healthcare costs. Medicare may provide limited treatment for eligible visitors from Reciprocal Health Care Agreement countries, but this is not comprehensive travel insurance. Private health or travel cover should be considered for hospital treatment, ambulance, medicines, repatriation and activities planned during the trip.
Criminal convictions
Character history must be disclosed accurately. Home Affairs warns that a person with criminal convictions, particularly where sentences total 12 months or more, may not be suitable for eVisitor entry and may need to use subclass 600 so the circumstances can be assessed with supporting documents. A spent or suspended sentence should not simply be omitted.
What can and cannot you do on visa subclass 651?
Activity
Allowed?
Important limit
Holiday, cruise or visit family
Yes
The stay is up to three months per entry and must remain temporary.
Business enquiries and meetings
Yes
General business or employment enquiries, contract negotiations and reviews are permitted.
Conference, trade fair or seminar
Yes
The participant must not be paid by the organiser for taking part.
Work for an Australian business
No
You cannot perform ordinary work or provide services to an Australian business or organisation.
Sell goods or services to the public
No
Direct retail or service delivery is outside business visitor activities.
Study or train
Limited
Up to three months; if study is the main purpose, consider a Student visa.
Attending a job interview is not the same as commencing employment. If the purpose is paid work, service delivery, entertainment production or hands-on technical activity, another visa may be required. VEM’s overview of Australian visa types helps distinguish visitor, work, and study pathways.
eVisitor 651 vs ETA 601 vs Visitor visa 600
Feature
eVisitor 651
ETA 601
Visitor 600
Passport access
Eligible European citizen passports.
Different eligible passport list.
Available to applicants of any nationality, subject to assessment.
Application channel
Online through ImmiAccount.
Usually Australian ETA mobile app.
Online through ImmiAccount for most streams.
Government charge
Free.
No visa application charge, but an app service fee applies.
A visa application charge applies.
Typical stay structure
Multiple entries, up to 3 months each in 12 months.
Multiple entries, up to 3 months each in 12 months.
Grant-specific; longer individual stays may be possible.
Complex circumstances
Less suitable where extensive character or supporting evidence is needed.
App-based process can require further information or another visa.
Often more appropriate for non-eligible passports, longer stays or detailed assessment.
Do not select a visa only because it appears faster or cheaper. The passport, criminal history, intended activity and requested stay determine whether an application is valid and appropriate.
How to apply for an Australian visa eVisitor 651
Step
Action
Check before continuing
1
Confirm passport and purpose eligibility.
The passport category, not country of residence, must appear on the eVisitor list.
2
Create or access ImmiAccount while outside Australia.
Use the official Home Affairs portal and avoid websites that imply they are the government.
3
Complete personal, passport, travel, health and character details.
Names and passport numbers must match exactly.
4
Attach any requested documents and submit.
Explain discrepancies, previous refusals or convictions honestly.
5
Monitor messages and respond by the deadline.
Do not book non-refundable travel before written grant.
6
Check the grant letter before travelling.
Review travel validity, maximum stay, conditions and passport details.
Documents to prepare
A straightforward application may need little beyond passport and identity details, but Home Affairs can request evidence of funds, itinerary, employment or study commitments, family ties, invitation, health information, police records or previous travel compliance. Upload readable, correctly translated documents and respond to the actual request rather than a generic checklist.
how to apply for an australian visa evisitor 651
Common eVisa 651 problems
Issue
Why it matters
Practical response
Wrong passport category
The application may not be valid for subclass 651.
Check the exact nationality and passport type; compare ETA 601 or Visitor 600.
Passport changed after grant
The eVisitor is electronically linked to the old passport.
Update Home Affairs before travel and confirm the visa record.
Assuming “free” means automatic
Health, character and genuine-visitor assessment still applies.
Disclose all relevant facts and supply requested evidence.
Plans involve paid work
Business visitor permission is not a work right.
Identify the correct work visa before performing services.
Back-to-back visits
Travel patterns may appear inconsistent with temporary visiting.
Maintain evidence of purpose, funds and ongoing overseas ties.
Application still pending
Processing times are guides, not guarantees.
Check ImmiAccount, requests and passport details; do not lodge duplicates casually.
If an application is refused, read the decision carefully before submitting another one. Review rights for offshore visitor decisions can be limited. VEM’s guide to Australian visa refusal reasons explains how to assess the decision, evidence and next lawful option.
How VEM can help with a visitor visa strategy
VEM can help identify whether the travel purpose and passport fit subclass 651, ETA 601 or a Visitor visa 600 stream, and assist where health, character, previous refusal or longer-stay issues require a more detailed application. No migration professional can guarantee grant or border entry.
FAQs
How long is a 651 visa valid?
It normally provides a 12-month travel period from grant, with multiple entries and a stay of up to three months each time.
Is the Australian eVisitor 651 free?
Yes, Home Affairs does not charge a visa application charge for subclass 651. Optional professional assistance, translations, health checks or insurance may still cost money.
Can I work in Australia on an eVisitor visa?
No ordinary work is permitted. Limited business visitor activities such as meetings, contract negotiations and unpaid conference participation are allowed.
Can I study on a visa 651?
Study or training is generally limited to three months. If education is the main reason for travel, a Student visa may be more appropriate.
Can I apply for eVisitor 651 inside Australia?
No. You must be outside Australia when applying and when Home Affairs makes its decision.
Can a British National Overseas passport holder apply?
Not on the basis of a BNO passport alone. The eligible UK passport category is British Citizen. Check whether another visitor option is available.
Can I extend an eVisitor visa in Australia?
Subclass 651 itself cannot be extended. A person seeking another visa must meet that visa’s rules and comply with any conditions restricting onshore applications.
Does an Australian cruise reset my three-month stay?
A round-trip cruise that starts and ends in Australia generally does not count as departing Australia, so it does not reset the stay period.
Mr. Phong Cao is a licensed migration agent by MARA (MARN: 1577877). He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), one of the most reputable organizations in the field of immigration in Australia. In addition, Mr. Phong Cao holds a QEAC certification in study abroad consulting (QEAC: K580) and Australian real estate investment (RA85931). With over 12 years of experience in Australian immigration, he provides comprehensive solutions for studying and settling in Australia.
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