Sep 9, 2019, 10:35 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
Australia
AU Govt-->COVID-19 and the border
Links below may not work, due to Covid-19 changes
Visa Australian Government web site
FT thread---> Free Australian ETA Visa application* Click to open the wiki
Processing Australian ETAs for free * to FT members (and up to 3 more friends & family) who have more than 80 posts, AND have at least been members for more than 12 months! Please read post 1. Thanks to Guy Betsy for his service to the FT community
Entry Australian government web site
FT thread --->Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration Click to open the wiki
Australia
Departure Australian government web site
Departing from Australia
From Departing from Australia > Departures SmartGates
AU Govt-->COVID-19 and the border
Links below may not work, due to Covid-19 changes
Visa Australian Government web site
- Entering or leaving Australia
- Going through the border
- Visa types
- Visa listing
- Travellers eligible to transit without a visa (TWOV]
- Sub class 601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) AUD$20. For passports holders including 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 (the list is increasing). Check your eligibility & visa type needed.
- Subclass 651 eVisitor For many other passport holders. Check your eligibility & visa type needed.
FT thread---> Free Australian ETA Visa application* Click to open the wiki
Entry Australian government web site
FT thread --->Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration Click to open the wiki
Australia
Departure Australian government web site
Departing from Australia
From Departing from Australia > Departures SmartGates
Australia immigration (incl ETA visa) & customs
Jan 29, 2017, 11:19 pm
#76
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,151
It's not uncommon, but it's certainly not typical. Many countries require you to LEAVE the country before the visa expiry date. Others you only need to enter before the visa expires.
Jan 30, 2017, 1:30 am
#77
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Obviously your experiences are different than mine. I've never had a visa expiry date that was based on exit date. They all have fixed timeframes after entry.
Jan 30, 2017, 10:59 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,151
Schengen and UK are two further examples, and there are many more.
Jan 31, 2017, 3:11 am
#79
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Yes I hold an Australian visa, in fact I've held many types.
You completely misunderstand the wording in the link that you provided.
"If your Australian visa expires while you are still in Australia, you will become an unlawful non-citizen."
This is expiry, for all the Australian visas I've held and including the ETA, is based on a fixed timeframe after entering the country (90 days, 6 months, etc). Exactly as I stated. It is NOT based on an expiry date listed on the visa itself. That date is only for entry. Once you enter that is irrelevant.
I once entered Australia 1 day before my visa entry expiration date (the only expiration date on a visa) and stayed for 4 months before I renewed it.
Is it the same for all Australian visas? I'm not sure. But all the types I've used in the past.
The UK is also the same IME. Not sure about EU.
I don't want to get in an argument as all that is relevant to a single person is the terms of their visa. All I know is my experience is that this is typical.
You completely misunderstand the wording in the link that you provided.
"If your Australian visa expires while you are still in Australia, you will become an unlawful non-citizen."
This is expiry, for all the Australian visas I've held and including the ETA, is based on a fixed timeframe after entering the country (90 days, 6 months, etc). Exactly as I stated. It is NOT based on an expiry date listed on the visa itself. That date is only for entry. Once you enter that is irrelevant.
I once entered Australia 1 day before my visa entry expiration date (the only expiration date on a visa) and stayed for 4 months before I renewed it.
Is it the same for all Australian visas? I'm not sure. But all the types I've used in the past.
The UK is also the same IME. Not sure about EU.
I don't want to get in an argument as all that is relevant to a single person is the terms of their visa. All I know is my experience is that this is typical.
Last edited by CPMaverick; Jan 31, 2017 at 3:17 am
Feb 6, 2017, 9:36 am
#80
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 409
I have the same question above. Is there someone who's actually been in this situation before who has travelled respond with what they ended up doing?
My current visa expires January 31, I'm arriving in Australia on January 23 and leaving February 5. The language from the application (below) indicates that I should not apply for a new one, but anyone who has first-hand experience who can comment, please do!
You should only proceed if you intend to arrive in Australia after the current visa's Expiry Date or if you intend to apply for a different type of ETA.
If you choose to proceed, your credit card will be charged with AUD$20.00.
If you proceed, any ETA granted will come into effect once your current visa expires.
Click Next if you would like to replace your existing visa with the ETA you are applying for.
To me, this means if I apply for a new one, my current visa gets cancelled, but my new one would only be effective after January 31 which won't help me enter Australia on January 23.
I should add that I'm extra confused because I called the Australian High Commission, and the lady I spoke to said that I needed to have a valid ETA for the duration of my stay, but stopped short of telling me I should apply for a new one. She said "It's up to you, I cannot advise you what to do".
Help!
My current visa expires January 31, I'm arriving in Australia on January 23 and leaving February 5. The language from the application (below) indicates that I should not apply for a new one, but anyone who has first-hand experience who can comment, please do!
You should only proceed if you intend to arrive in Australia after the current visa's Expiry Date or if you intend to apply for a different type of ETA.
If you choose to proceed, your credit card will be charged with AUD$20.00.
If you proceed, any ETA granted will come into effect once your current visa expires.
Click Next if you would like to replace your existing visa with the ETA you are applying for.
To me, this means if I apply for a new one, my current visa gets cancelled, but my new one would only be effective after January 31 which won't help me enter Australia on January 23.
I should add that I'm extra confused because I called the Australian High Commission, and the lady I spoke to said that I needed to have a valid ETA for the duration of my stay, but stopped short of telling me I should apply for a new one. She said "It's up to you, I cannot advise you what to do".
Help!
Thanks everyone!
Feb 6, 2017, 9:38 am
#81
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 409
I have personally stayed in Australia past my ETA expiry without issue, although it was just a few days. I have since returned on a PR visa and that experience definitely did not cause any red flags.
The ETA language is very clear. The expiry is only the ENTRY date. Every ETA entry has a fixed time you may spend in the country (three months).
This is typical of visas everywhere. The timeline for exit is a fixed duration of time inside the country, the expiration only matters on entry.
You will not have any problems entering Australia. The only potential issue is if a US airline agent doesn't understand the rules and won't let you board. If you want to rule that out, just buy a new ETA. Personally I wouldn't, as the rules are black and white.
The ETA language is very clear. The expiry is only the ENTRY date. Every ETA entry has a fixed time you may spend in the country (three months).
This is typical of visas everywhere. The timeline for exit is a fixed duration of time inside the country, the expiration only matters on entry.
You will not have any problems entering Australia. The only potential issue is if a US airline agent doesn't understand the rules and won't let you board. If you want to rule that out, just buy a new ETA. Personally I wouldn't, as the rules are black and white.
Feb 14, 2017, 7:16 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,007
From a new thread in info forum (to be locked)
Very unwise to book flights before getting a visa or being 100% certain will get a visa.
From the link above
Hi, I am new on here and i need Help please.
applied for visitor visa for Australia in Nov, sent extra info in December and I'm still waiting on visa. Flights are booked and I'm getting no reply to emails or querys. Does anyone have a contact number that I can ring from outside Australia?
applied for visitor visa for Australia in Nov, sent extra info in December and I'm still waiting on visa. Flights are booked and I'm getting no reply to emails or querys. Does anyone have a contact number that I can ring from outside Australia?
From the link above
National Office
Our National Office is the policy headquarters of the department.
If you would like to make a client enquiry or submit an application in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) please contact the Canberra Visa and Citizenship Office.
Street address
6 Chan Street
Belconnen ACT 2617
Postal address
PO Box 25
Belconnen ACT 2616
Telephone 02 6264 1111 - Switchboard
Fax 02 6225 6970
Our National Office is the policy headquarters of the department.
If you would like to make a client enquiry or submit an application in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) please contact the Canberra Visa and Citizenship Office.
Street address
6 Chan Street
Belconnen ACT 2617
Postal address
PO Box 25
Belconnen ACT 2616
Telephone 02 6264 1111 - Switchboard
Fax 02 6225 6970
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Feb 14, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Mar 7, 2017, 8:33 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Rip-off site
I feel so stupid.
Before I found this site I applied for an ETA to visit Australia in July. I am a US citizen and applied at Visa Travel Australia (visatravelaustralia.com) which I presumed was the Australian government website. I obviously was not paying attention. I received an approval letter but cannot find an ETA number. Plus I was charged double the correct rate. I feel really stupid...did I get scammed or just overcharged?
I guess I should apply through the official government channels?
Before I found this site I applied for an ETA to visit Australia in July. I am a US citizen and applied at Visa Travel Australia (visatravelaustralia.com) which I presumed was the Australian government website. I obviously was not paying attention. I received an approval letter but cannot find an ETA number. Plus I was charged double the correct rate. I feel really stupid...did I get scammed or just overcharged?
I guess I should apply through the official government channels?
http://australia-eta-visa.com/?AD=GS...FdaIaAodzcwKiQ
Another rip-off site for ETA application which charges USD 64 per application. I have to admit it was my fault that I never go through the T&C. There is no amount quote when you click for payment or when you were asked to key-in your credit card details. I hope this would help to warn others not to make the same mistake.
Aug 23, 2018, 6:25 am
#85
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Australian visa not showing in VEVO
I’ll keep it as brief as I can:
I applied for ETC, it was granted, it shows in VEVO.
Partner denied ETC for checking prior conviction. Submitted documentation, granted 600 visa within a week about a month ago. His is not showing up in VEVO (says can not match passport info to a visa). Checked in online for travel tonight, mine went fine his says proceed to airport for checkin.
Anything I need to worry about? Anyone I need to or can call? Will airport staff be able to handle this?
thanks. I’m a worrier.
I applied for ETC, it was granted, it shows in VEVO.
Partner denied ETC for checking prior conviction. Submitted documentation, granted 600 visa within a week about a month ago. His is not showing up in VEVO (says can not match passport info to a visa). Checked in online for travel tonight, mine went fine his says proceed to airport for checkin.
Anything I need to worry about? Anyone I need to or can call? Will airport staff be able to handle this?
thanks. I’m a worrier.
Aug 24, 2018, 7:28 am
#86
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
I haven't used VEVO but my understanding is it is how you check your visa status with the Australian government. Is that right?
If the official government website can't find your visa, yes, you have reason to worry. The airport staff can't be counted on to fix anything. I would call the immigration office in Australia ASAP. You might not be able to find any working numbers as it will be the weekend. Try to check on your visa another way, if possible.
If you can't get anywhere, then just print out a hard copy of your 600 visa details. Don't bother the check-in agent with any questions about VEVO or imply there are any problems with your visa. Just show them the paperwork. That may be enough to check-in. Then once you arrive to Australia, hopefully you can sort out any technical problems directly. I suspect there is a simple error that can be sorted out in Australia, but your greatest issue would be denied boarding. So just be prepared to show your visa details to the check-in agent.
If the official government website can't find your visa, yes, you have reason to worry. The airport staff can't be counted on to fix anything. I would call the immigration office in Australia ASAP. You might not be able to find any working numbers as it will be the weekend. Try to check on your visa another way, if possible.
If you can't get anywhere, then just print out a hard copy of your 600 visa details. Don't bother the check-in agent with any questions about VEVO or imply there are any problems with your visa. Just show them the paperwork. That may be enough to check-in. Then once you arrive to Australia, hopefully you can sort out any technical problems directly. I suspect there is a simple error that can be sorted out in Australia, but your greatest issue would be denied boarding. So just be prepared to show your visa details to the check-in agent.
Aug 24, 2018, 8:10 am
#87
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Do not call anywhere other than the specific help line provided by the Australian government. It took less than 30 seconds to find that number and it is staffed around the clock. Always better to take the simple approach.
https://www.australiavisagov.com/contact-us
https://www.australiavisagov.com/contact-us
Aug 24, 2018, 10:19 am
#88
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Knoteetingham
Programs: EY Gold, QF WP
Posts: 311
Do not call anywhere other than the specific help line provided by the Australian government. It took less than 30 seconds to find that number and it is staffed around the clock. Always better to take the simple approach.
https://www.australiavisagov.com/contact-us
https://www.australiavisagov.com/contact-us
Our website is a commercial website, one of the world’s leading provider of online services for global customers. We are not the Embassy/Consulate/High Commission or the representative of the Government of Australia.
OP: Do not call the number on this site. Unfortunately there is (on purpose) no easy way to contact Home Affairs (which Immigration is part of). You will have to hope it's sorted at the airport. Not what you want to hear, but that's the reality.
Aug 24, 2018, 11:40 am
#89
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Thanks all I know you were all very concerned with how this turned out.
Basically I didn’t do anything, but we did arrive at the airport 4 hours early. I didn’t bother checkin agents (united) with any backstory just tried checking in. Mine was fine my partner of course has problems.
Agent took the print out of the visa and checked all the information and said something like “that’s weird the name, birthday, passport all match but I can’t get you checked in”. Then he got on the phone. After like 15 minutes of him not really saying anything and us standing off to the side I finally asked him “are you on hold or what are we doing?” He said that he was on hold while “they” called the Australian embassy. About 5 minutes after that he said “ok so we are good?” And hung up the phone. Pressed like 18,000 buttons and then handed us the boarding pass.
No idea. It was a little worrisome there for a bit. But it all worked. I write this from somewhere over the South Pacific.
Will report back if any issues upon landing.
Basically I didn’t do anything, but we did arrive at the airport 4 hours early. I didn’t bother checkin agents (united) with any backstory just tried checking in. Mine was fine my partner of course has problems.
Agent took the print out of the visa and checked all the information and said something like “that’s weird the name, birthday, passport all match but I can’t get you checked in”. Then he got on the phone. After like 15 minutes of him not really saying anything and us standing off to the side I finally asked him “are you on hold or what are we doing?” He said that he was on hold while “they” called the Australian embassy. About 5 minutes after that he said “ok so we are good?” And hung up the phone. Pressed like 18,000 buttons and then handed us the boarding pass.
No idea. It was a little worrisome there for a bit. But it all worked. I write this from somewhere over the South Pacific.
Will report back if any issues upon landing.
Aug 24, 2018, 11:53 am
#90
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Knoteetingham
Programs: EY Gold, QF WP
Posts: 311
About 5 minutes after that he said “ok so we are good?” And hung up the phone. Pressed like 18,000 buttons and then handed us the boarding pass.
No idea. It was a little worrisome there for a bit. But it all worked. I write this from somewhere over the South Pacific.
Will report back if any issues upon landing.
No idea. It was a little worrisome there for a bit. But it all worked. I write this from somewhere over the South Pacific.
Will report back if any issues upon landing.