Differences between ETA and long stay visa
Australian Long Stay visas (Visitor Visas, Sublcass 600) are very similar in their purpose to eVisitor and ETA visas. However, they are characterized by a series of important differences.
First of all, to apply for an ETA you must use the Australian ETA app, which means you need to have a mobile device with:
- A camera which can take your photo and your passport’s photo at a high enough resolution.
- Near-field communication (NFC) features.
- Location services features (GPS).
On the other hand, no mobile device or app is needed for a Visitor Visa.
Long stay visas processing time
Long stay visa can take up to 20 days to get processed, and while only a few countries are eligible for Australian ETA visas, the citizens of essentially any country can apply for a visitor visa.
Location when making the application for a long term visa
While applicants must be outside of Australia at the moment of their ETA application, long stay visa application can be made while inside Australia, for example with the purpose of extending the current visa.
Validity of Australian Visitor Visas
Long stay visas can be issued with single entry or multiple entries. Each entry can be valid for 3, 6 or 12 months.
Usage of Visitor Visas to extend your current visa
If your current visa does not have a “No further stay” condition, you can use an Austalian Subclass 600 visa to apply for the extension of your current visa. Notice that during the application process, you can stay inside Australia.
Conditions of Australian long stay visa
- You must not work while in Australia. Voluntary work may be permitted.
- You must not study for more than 3 months while in Australia.
Medical requirements for visitor visas
If you are applying for a visa longer than 6 months, you may be asked to undergo a chest x-ray and/or medical examination.
If you are over the age of 75 years old or coming from a country that Australian Immigration considers as having a high level of risk, you may need to provide evidence that you can meet the visa’s medical requirements.
Proof of funds for visitor visas
When applying for a long stay visa, you must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your whole stay in Australia. Immigration might ask for such proof, for example in the form of bank statements.
