How to Apply for an eVisitor Visa Australia from UK in 2026
If you’re holidaying or traveling for business in Australia from the UK in 2026, it’s 99% likely that the eVisitor visa subclass 651 (previously subclass 650) is the one for you. They’re free, easy, quick and it’s normally possible for any British passport holders to enter it all in one sitting online. At GIEC Global UK we help travellers make sure their visa papers are correct the first time so that unnecessary application delays caused by minor, preventable mistakes can be avoided and that visas are produced on time.
This section explains what the eVisitor is and covers everything you need to know about filling it out step-by-step: from prerequisites and documentation to comparisons with other traveler visas available for Australia.
What Is the eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651) for UK Travellers?
The eVisitor visa Australia subclass 651 is an electronic visa that allows short term tourist or business stays in Australia and best of all it’s free. It’s still available to UK residents and residents of several EU and other European countries. There’s no visa label or sticker inserted in your passport – it just gets digitally linked and Home Affairs will automatically verify it during travel.
Once it’s approved, the eVisitor visa to Australia lasts for one year, which allows multiple entries during that time. But you’re only permitted to stay in Australia for 3 months at a time on each entry. This makes it a good option for short family trips, holiday’s in Australia or for short business trips such as conferences or meetings.
Some things are not covered by the eVisitor visa. If you want to work paid job on your Australian visit, then you’ll definitely need to look for an other visa and the same goes if you want to stay in Australia for longer then three months.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 651 (eVisitor) |
| Application fee | Free (A$0) |
| Stay per visit | Up to 3 months |
| Visa validity | 12 months from grant |
| Entries allowed | Multiple |
| UK passport holders eligible | Yes |
| How to apply | Online via ImmiAccount |
| Typical processing time | Minutes to a few days |
How to Apply for an eVisitor Visa Australia from UK: Step by Step
- Register a ImmiAccount on the website of the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au), if you don’t already have it.
- Apply for a new visa application by choosing eVisitor (subclass 651) visa.
- Fill in the correct UK passport information (as it appears on your passport-if you have even the smallest typo it could slow down processing).
- Answer questions truthfully and comprehensively relating to your health and character.
- Provide your travel plans and contact details.
- Submit your visa application-this part is free!
- Then all you need to do is wait for your outcome by email (usually within the space of time from instantly to a few days in terms of getting an outcome, depending on the factors).
eVisitor Visa Requirements and Who Should Apply for a Different Visa
eVisitor Visa Australia Requirements
In most cases, to apply for the eVisitor visa Australia you will require:
A valid UK passport (or a passport from a different eligible European nation) with enough validity to last your entire journey.
An idea of what your itinerary looks like, even if the dates aren’t fully committed to.
You will also need to meet a standard for character and health.
Your trip needs to be for tourism, seeing family/friends, or business meetings/conferences – not paid work.
When the eVisitor Visa May Not Be Suitable
If this does not align with the conditions of the visa – e.g., if you intend to work, work and play, study for longer than three months or remain in Australia for longer than permissible via the eVisitor – then this is not the visa for you.
Another point of importance: it is not possible to extend the eVisitor visa once you are in Australia – in order to remain in the country longer, you would need to secure another visa such as the Visitor visa 600.
eVisitor vs Other Australian Visitor Visas
UK travellers come across the ETA (subclass 601) or the traditional visitor visa (subclass 600) with frequency when doing their online research and are unsure of which to use. Below is a comparison of the three:-
| Feature | eVisitor (651) | ETA (601) | Visitor visa (600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK passport eligible | Yes | No — different country list | Yes |
| Application fee | Free | Small fee applies | Fee applies |
| Stay per visit | Up to 3 months | Up to 3 months | Varies, sometimes longer |
| Validity | 12 months | Up to 12 months | Varies by grant |
| Best suited for | UK and European tourists or business visitors | Passport holders outside the eVisitor country list | Longer stays or applicants who don't qualify for the other two |
It’s usually the simplest and most economical option for travellers in the UK – for this kind of length and general purpose you will not get a different option. But there is a longer duration one so if you are travelling for longer and/or have been to Australia before with issues then this is one you can take.
Contact Giec Global UK
FAQs
Yes. The Australian government doesn’t charge any application fee for the e-Visitor visa (subclass 651). If you are being asked to pay application fees on any website, that’s probably a third-party service charging you for the application you’d receive for free from Home Affairs.
Although many applications can take from a few minutes to several days to be assessed, the actual turnaround will depend on your specific situation. It really is advisable to apply well in advance of your travel date, not quite literally leaving it to the wire!
No, you cannot extend your visa whilst in Australia. If you wish to remain in Australia for longer than your allowed three months, you will have to submit application for alternative visa. Your application for the current visa will expire prior to submission if you intend apply to remain in Australia further to your 3 month stay in another visa class, for instance Subclass 600 Visitor visa.
No, you cannot work in Australia with an eVisitor visa. You can, however attend certain work-related meetings, negotiate, and attend conferences.
Not necessarily. If you’ve applied for eVisitor Australia visa 651, this is a 12 month visa that permits multiple entries so you can go to Australia more than once within the year as long as your stay is within the three month maximum time limit.
They are electronic, temporary visitor visas, but for residents from differing countries. The eVisitor (651) is applicable to passport holders in the UK and elsewhere in Europe and is free. The ETA (601) is the equivalent of the eVisitor (651) except in which European countries it is applicable from, it does cost a small fee.
