The ETA (Business Entrant – Subclass 956 and 977) visa

The ETA visas are designed for business people who are outside Australia and want to visit the country for short-term business purposes, such as attending educational or business related meetings, seminars, conventions, conferences, networking, or even for informal studies or training. In strictly limited circumstances, short-term work may be permitted.

There are two types of ETA (Business Entrant) visas:

  • ETA (Business Entrant – Short Validity) – Subclass 977
  • ETA (Business Entrant – Long Validity) – Subclass 956

For the short validity visa, there is no application charge, only a service charge of AU$20. However, application charges must be paid when applying for the long validity visa.

A short validity visa (Subclass 977) will allow you to stay in Australia for up to three months on each visit within a 12 month period from the date the visa is granted, or for the life of the passport, if it is less than 12 months.

With a long validity visa (Subclass 956), you can stay in Australia for up to three months on each visit for the life of your passport (multiple entry). This visa costs AU$90.

No extensions available on ETA visas

Please note that ETAs cannot be granted when the holder is in Australia and, therefore, cannot be extended. If you need to stay in Australia for a longer period of time, allow an absolute minimum of two weeks before your ETA expires to apply for a different type of visa. If you have complied with the conditions of your ETA and meet all the eligibility criteria for the new visa, your application is likely to be successful.

ETA visas are electronically stored and can be accessed by airlines, travel agents and Australian border agencies. There is no need for you to visit a departmental office to submit an application, nor will you receive any stamp or label on your passport. You will simply be provided with a confirmation for your records.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible to apply for this visa, you must:

  • Be outside Australia
  • Hold a citizen passport of an ETA eligible country*

Once your visa is granted, there are certain obligations you must meet. Breaching these conditions may result in your ETA being cancelled, and you may have to leave Australia.

  • You must not engage in work in Australia that might otherwise be carried out by an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident
  • You may be able to engage in limited work if, for example, it is highly specialised and non ongoing (generally less than six weeks)
  • You must not engage in any studies or training for over three months
  • You must be free from tuberculosis at the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia
  • You must not have any criminal convictions, for which the sentence(s) (whether served or not) are for a total period of 12 months duration or more, at the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia

Does this visa include my family?

This visa does not include your family members. If they are travelling with you, a separate ETA is required for each family member, including those who are under 18 and are included on your passport.

Multiple visits

If you intend to have repeated extended stays in Australia, the ETA visa is not the right visa for you. You may wish to consider applying for an alternate visa that suits your purposes, such as the Business (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 456) or the Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (Subclass 457).

If an ETA visa is the right option for you, you can apply online for a short validity ETA visa by visiting www.eta.immi.gov.au or through a travel agent, airline or specialist service provider that can arrange an ETA on your behalf. Alternatively, you can also apply at an Australia visa office outside Australia.

*ETA eligible countries include: (Starred (*) countries can apply for an ETA online):

Andorra Austria Belgium
Brunei* Canada* Denmark
Finland France Germany

Greece

Hong Kong (SAR)1*

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Japan*

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Malaysia*

Malta

Monaco

The Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Republic of San Marino

Singapore*

South Korea*

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan2

United Kingdom - British Citizen

United Kingdom - British National (Overseas)

United States of America*

Vatican City

 

 

 

1 A Hong Kong Document of Identity (HKDI) cannot be used to apply for an ETA. Residents of Hong Kong require a citizen passport to apply for this visa.

2 Holders of Taiwan passports can only be processed for an ETA if residing and applying in Taiwan. Applications can be lodged with an approved ETA Travel Agent in Taiwan or Australian Visa Services office in Taipei.

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