ACC2008

Thinking of visiting Sydney for about a week in June this year. Can I get visa on arrival - I have an American passport? Is there a visa fee?

Thanks in advance for posting here.

Efrem

Technically, you will not need a visa. You will, however, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The distinction is mostly semantics. You must apply for the ETA before arriving in Australia.

Some airlines will get it for you, often free if you're in paid F/J. You can get it directly from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship online at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au , for a charge of A$20 (about US$18). If you're not in a last-minute rush, and you're not eligible for a free ETA through your airline (or even if you are), you might want to check out the "Free Australian ETA Visa Application" sticky thread at the top of this forum. The folks who run it provide a real service and have raised a lot of money for many worthwhile charities, including $20 last year from me.

SkyTeam777

Is this something that you simply print out and bring with you? or do you have to mail your passport to them?

Blackadder1402

For you own peace of mind just print out and bring with you, however all the details from the ETA are sent electronically to Immigration here in Aus.

tt7

You can print it out if you like but that won't do you any good. If your ETA (or visa) is not valid, the airline won't put you on the plane - if they fly you in without a valid ETA/visa, they'll be fined and made to fly you straight back again.

Redhead

When you apply online at the above website, you enter you passport number and some additional information, then pay the fee. It is a very simple process. You will then receive an email comfirmation within 24 hours. You do not need to print anything out, it is all entered into the Australian immigration system online. Very slick system.

You can print out the confirmation for your own peace of mind, but like the OP said, it is not necessary at all

gtownguy

Although you don't NEED to print out anything related to the ETA, I would strongly suggest that you do bring along a printed copy of your confirmation with you. Always better safe than sorry.

At least that was the case with my NZ flight last October - LAX-AKL-MEL. Upon checking in at LAX, there seemed to be some problem with my ETA and they were about to deny me boarding. I think some computer glitch had transposed the numbers or something like that - not really sure. Anyway...I fortunately had a copy of the confirmation, and one quick phone call by the NZ agent straightened everything out. Perhaps all this could have been accomplished without having my printed confirmation, but it sure seemed to make it easier.

onedog

Have you read the "sticky" thread by Guy Betsy at the top of this forum? Guy helped my family immensely for our trip to Australia last summer. Paying it forward is a great way to help out a charity.