Subclass 651 — eVisitor

Eligibility snapshot

In general terms, the eVisitor (subclass 651) is a free short-stay authority aimed at passport holders from a defined group of mostly European countries who want to visit Australia briefly for tourism or business visitor activities. Because eligibility for this stream turns mainly on which passport a person holds, the most important threshold is usually nationality: the visa is open only to holders of passports on the eligible list published by the Department of Home Affairs, and that list is the authoritative source for who qualifies. Country of residence is typically not the deciding factor — what matters is the passport itself, and certain passport types within otherwise-eligible nationalities may be excluded. Beyond passport eligibility, the visa is generally intended for people who are outside Australia when they apply and who plan to visit only temporarily. Applicants are typically expected to meet health and character requirements and to genuinely intend a short visit consistent with the visa's conditions. Tourism covers things like holidays, sightseeing, and visiting family or friends; the business visitor side typically covers activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or trade events and making general business enquiries — not taking up work. Whether a particular person meets every requirement depends on their individual circumstances, current policy, and the eligible-country list at the time of applying. Check the official page for current requirements, and a registered practitioner can advise on a specific situation, including whether a different visitor pathway (such as another visitor subclass) would suit better.

Costs

A defining feature of the eVisitor is that, in general terms, there is no visa application charge for this subclass — it is typically free to apply. Because charges and policy can change, the official page and the Department's published fee information remain the authoritative source, so it is sensible to confirm the current position there before applying rather than relying on any third-party figure. Where an applicant is travelling with family, each person generally needs their own visa, so any per-person requirements are assessed individually even when there is no charge to pay. Applicants should also keep in mind that broader trip costs sit outside the visa itself — for example travel insurance, the cost of any medical examinations that might be requested in some cases, document certification, translations, or fees a chosen adviser charges for assistance. Most importantly, any government charge connected to a visa is always separate from, and not the same as, any platform fee or fee charged by a registered practitioner for guidance; those are distinct amounts. For the current charge position and any ancillary government costs, check the official page and the Department's fee estimator, and a registered practitioner can advise on costs relevant to a particular set of circumstances.

Frequently asked questions