VISA, ETA and Travel

VISAs are the official permission to enter and stay in a foreign country. In some situations an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) can be used for a short stay of 90 days in a foreign country without use of a VISA. Options on an ETA are limited to tourism; work and study are generally not possible.

Australians travelling overseas will basically need a VISA or an ETA for each country that they visit. This should be arranged well ahead of departure.

Arrange for a VISA by contacting the embassy of each country you will visit, using their online website. There will usually be a fee for a VISA.

It is generally a straightforward process to apply for a VISA, though there can be a considerable waiting time for VISA approval to be granted. Passport photos and other documentation are usually required for VISA processing.

Some countries will issue a VISA upon arrival, but this still requires considerable documentation and a fee. It is best to have all VISAs granted well before overseas departure.

Types of VISA

There are different types of VISA for tourism, working VISAs, study VISAs, Medical VISAs and business VISAs. These vary according to the country, with many subcategories and occasionally combination such a working holiday VISAs.

It is important to have the right type of VISA. Some countries have strict limitations and penalties, with tourists being forbidden to work unless they have the appropriate work VISA. Many work VISAs will specify and limit the type of work permitted. A VISA might be granted only for a specific job or specific employer, allowing no deviation from this position.

Immigration Lawyers Sydney

A VISA does not guarantee you entry into a foreign country. You can be refused entry it:

• You have insufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
• If you do not have a return trip booked or equivalent plan to return home.
• If you passport is not valid for at least the length of your stay. Some countries require any passport to be valid for at least 6 months or a year after arrival.
• If you intend to work on a holiday/tourism VISA. Or if you try to study with a student VISA.
• If you break any condition of a Student VISA
• You will be refused entry if you have illegal item, or at least have the items confiscated.

Immigration Lawyer Sydney

Permanent residency or a work VISA needs to be handled by an immigration lawyer

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No individual should take, or refrain from taking, any action solely based on the material contained in this article. While we aim to offer accurate and timely information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on the date of receipt or in the future. If you require more information or seek relevant legal advice specific to your circumstances, please contact our office.