Choosing between the eVisitor (Subclass 651) and the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is one of the most common questions for travellers planning a trip to Australia. Both allow temporary entry for tourism or short business visits, but they operate on completely different legal frameworks. The eVisitor (651) is a free, automated travel authorisation for 36 eligible European passport holders, built on a systemic low-risk presumption. The Subclass 600 is a fee-bearing, individually assessed visa where applicants from all other nationalities must affirmatively prove Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) intent. The correct choice depends on your passport country, intended stay length, and personal history. For a full breakdown of Subclass 600 streams, fees, and requirements, see our Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) 2026 guide.
Quick Answer: Passport holders from 36 eligible European countries can apply for the free eVisitor (Subclass 651). All other nationalities including India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the UAE must apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). There is no overlap between these two pathways and eligibility is determined solely by passport country, not country of residence.
Am I Eligible for eVisitor 651 or Subclass 600?
Australia uses three separate pathways for short-term visitor entry, determined entirely by passport country. Not your country of residence, employment status, or naturalised citizenship. The document in your hand determines your path.
eVisitor 651 Eligible Countries: The Full 36-Nation List
Need expert guidance?
Speak with a migration specialist
Get personalised advice on your visa pathway — response within 2 hours.
The eVisitor (Subclass 651) is reserved for passport holders from specific European nations only. You must hold a valid passport issued by an eligible country at the time of application and at the time of visa grant. Residence in an eligible country does not transfer eligibility.
27 EU Member States
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus
- Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France
- Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy
- Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands
- Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia
- Spain, Sweden
9 Non-EU European Countries
- Andorra
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Norway
- San Marino
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom (British Citizen only)
- Vatican City
European countries whose passport holders are NOT eligible: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Nationals of these countries apply for Subclass 600 regardless of where they currently live or work.
The residence trap: A Ukrainian national living in Germany does not qualify for eVisitor. A Russian national living in France does not qualify. Eligibility follows the passport country, not the address on your utility bill or employment contract. This is one of the most common and costly eligibility errors that Home Affairs encounters.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, eVisitor (Subclass 651). Check the live page before your application as eligibility lists can change with policy updates.
eVisitor 651 vs Visitor Visa 600: Complete Side-by-Side Comparison
The two most important rows in this table are the maximum stay limit and the criminal conviction condition. Both are explained in depth in the sections below.
| Feature | eVisitor (Subclass 651) | Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | 36 European passport holders only | Any nationality worldwide |
| Risk model | Systemic low-risk presumption. No individual GTE proof required. | Individual GTE assessment. Applicant must prove genuine temporary entrant intent. |
| Application fee | Free (AUD 0) | From AUD 250 offshore (Tourist, Sponsored Family, Business Visitor); AUD 1,845 (Frequent Traveller). Use the Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact figure. |
| Maximum stay per visit | 3 months — fixed, no exceptions | Up to 12 months (Tourist stream); 3 months (Business Visitor stream) |
| Multiple entries | Yes, within 12-month validity | Depends on individual grant |
| Visa validity | 12 months from date of grant | Set by case officer based on purpose and risk profile |
| Streams available | None — single pathway only | Tourist, Sponsored Family, Business Visitor, Frequent Traveller |
| Extend onshore | No — cannot extend while in Australia | No — new application required |
| Condition 8101 (No Work) | Yes — applies to both | Yes — applies to both |
| Condition 8201 (Max 3 months study) | Yes | Yes |
| Condition 8503 (No Further Stay) | Never attached to eVisitor | May be attached — prevents applying for most other visas while in Australia. Not on all grants. |
| Condition 8528 (No criminal convictions) | Mandatory — sentences of 12+ months prohibit entry. Any conviction history should use Subclass 600. | Formal character declaration process — disclosure and response permitted under s501 Migration Act. |
| Application method | ImmiAccount online — passport details and character/health declarations only | ImmiAccount online — full evidentiary upload required |
| Processing time | Usually 24–48 hours (manual review can extend this) | Tourist stream: median 16 days. Sponsored Family: median 38 days. |
Sources: Home Affairs, eVisitor (651); Home Affairs, Visitor Visa (600); Visa Pricing Estimator, Home Affairs.
The eVisitor 3-Month Stay Limit Trap
The eVisitor caps each entry at exactly 3 months. You can leave Australia and re-enter multiple times during the 12-month validity period, but each stay resets to 3 months and the visa itself expires 12 months from the date of grant. What some European visitors attempt is leaving briefly (a day trip to Bali or New Zealand, for example) to reset the 3-month clock and return immediately. Home Affairs has full visibility of entry and exit history. Repeated near-immediate re-entries after short absences contradict the systemic low-risk presumption the eVisitor was granted under and attract scrutiny at the border that can result in refusal of entry.
If you want to spend more than 3 consecutive months in Australia for tourism, visiting family, or any other permitted purpose, Subclass 600 Tourist stream is the correct path. It can grant stays of 3, 6, or 12 months depending on your circumstances and what the application justifies. The eVisitor is not a substitute for this, and treating it as one creates a real border risk on re-entry.
Criminal Convictions and Condition 8528
Can I get eVisitor 651 if I have a criminal record?
Condition 8528 (no criminal convictions) is mandatory on every eVisitor grant. It states that the visa holder must not have one or more criminal convictions for which the total sentence or sentences are 12 months or more (whether served or not) at the time of entry to Australia. Holding an eVisitor with a conviction meeting this threshold is a direct breach of visa conditions and will lead to border refusal.
For minor convictions with sentences under 12 months, Home Affairs still advises applying for Subclass 600 instead. The automated eVisitor system has no workflow for attaching supporting police records or written character explanations. Attempting to use eVisitor with an undisclosed conviction risks triggering character concerns under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958. Subclass 600 has a formal character declaration process that allows full disclosure, officer review, and a formal decision notice with appeal rights.
This rule applies to convictions in any country, not just Australia. A drink-driving conviction or minor offence from years ago in any jurisdiction still triggers character questions on an eVisitor. If you have any criminal history whatsoever, applying through Subclass 600 and making a full, formal disclosure is the legally secure approach.
Real Scenarios: Which Visa Do You Actually Need?
"I have a German passport and I want a 3-week holiday in Australia."
eVisitor is exactly right here. German passport is on the 36-country eligible list, the trip is well under 3 months, and the application is free through ImmiAccount with no supporting documents required beyond passport details and the character/health declaration. Typically decided within 24-48 hours.
"I have a UK passport and I want to spend 5 months in Australia."
The eVisitor caps every stay at 3 months, no exceptions. For a 5-month stay, apply for Subclass 600 Tourist stream, which can grant up to 12 months. You pay the AUD 250 application fee and submit a fuller evidence package, but you will have the stay length you actually need without border risk on re-entry.
"I'm from India and I want to visit my family in Australia."
India is not on the 36-country eVisitor list and is also not eligible for the ETA (601). Apply for Subclass 600, Tourist or Sponsored Family stream, depending on whether your Australian family member is providing formal sponsorship. See our Invitation Letter and Form 1149 guide for the sponsorship paperwork if they are.
"My Indian partner wants to visit me in Australia. I have a UK passport."
Your UK passport qualifies you for eVisitor on your own trips. Your Indian partner's passport does not — they apply for Subclass 600 separately. If you are formally sponsoring them under the Sponsored Family stream, see our Invitation Letter and Form 1149 guide. If this is a long-term relationship, see our Partner Visa service for the pathway that lets you live together in Australia permanently.
"I am Ukrainian and I have lived in Germany for 10 years. Can I use eVisitor?"
No. eVisitor eligibility is based entirely on the country that issued your passport, not where you currently live, work, or pay taxes. A Ukrainian passport holder with a German address applies for Subclass 600 exactly the same way as a Ukrainian passport holder in Kyiv. The system does not check your residential address — it reads your passport issuing country. Long-term European residence does not transfer eVisitor eligibility. Attempting to apply for eVisitor with a Ukrainian passport results in a hard system rejection, not a soft warning, meaning you will still need to complete a full paid Subclass 600 application before travelling.
Common Mistakes That Cause Visitor Visa Refusals
Visa refusals generally stem from preventable application errors or insufficient documentation establishing genuine visitor intent. These are the most frequent mistakes Home Affairs encounters:
- Selecting the wrong stream: Applying for eVisitor when your passport is ineligible, or using eVisitor when your planned stay exceeds 3 months, results in either a hard system rejection or border refusal on arrival. There is no flexibility on the eligibility boundary.
- Failing to declare past visa refusals: You must declare all prior visa refusals or cancellations from any country, including Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or Schengen states. Omitting past immigration history can trigger refusal under Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 for providing misleading information. This applies to both eVisitor and Subclass 600 applications.
- Having a prior Australian visa refusal on record: Even if your current application is for eVisitor, a prior Australian refusal changes your risk profile and must be declared. Applying without disclosure when a refusal exists is itself grounds for cancellation under PIC 4020.
- Insufficient financial proof: Subclass 600 applicants must provide 3-6 months of consecutive bank statements showing clear, regular income or savings. Lump-sum deposits made immediately before lodging raise red flags and are commonly identified by case officers.
- Weak GTE evidence: Failing to demonstrate genuine ties to your home country, such as current employment, approved leave, property ownership, or immediate family commitments, raises overstay concerns under clause 600.211 of the Migration Regulations 1994.
Document Checklist for Subclass 600 Applicants
For non-European passport holders preparing a Subclass 600 Tourist or Sponsored Family stream application, organise your evidence into clear digital PDFs before lodging in ImmiAccount. Refer to our Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) 2026 guide for complete document requirements by stream.
Identity and Financial Evidence
- Colour scan of passport bio page (minimum 6 months validity)
- National identity card front and back copies
- 3 to 6 months of consecutive personal bank statements
- Pay slips, employment letter with approved leave, or ITR if self-employed
Sponsorship and Travel Purpose
- Formal invitation letter from an Australian resident or host
- Host's Australian citizenship, PR grant letter, or VEVO confirmation
- Completed Form 1149 if applying under Sponsored Family stream
- Specific travel itinerary with confirmed or estimated dates
If you are being hosted by an Australian citizen or permanent resident, your host should provide a structured invitation package. See our Invitation Letter template and guide to ensure the letter meets Home Affairs standards for both Tourist and Sponsored Family stream applications.
Health and Medical Clearance Requirements
Depending on your age, intended stay length, and planned activities in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs may request health examinations before granting your visa. Applicants aged 75 and older, as well as individuals planning to access healthcare facilities, childcare settings, or stay longer than 6 continuous months, are routinely required to complete a panel health assessment with an approved physician. Source: Home Affairs, health requirements.
On health insurance: all visitor visa holders, including most eVisitor holders, have no access to Medicare in Australia. The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Medicare covers only 11 specific countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Malta, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. If your passport is not from one of these 11 countries, you have no Medicare access in Australia regardless of visa type. Comprehensive travel health insurance is strongly recommended before departure for all other nationalities.
How to Apply Online via ImmiAccount
eVisitor (651): Applied through ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website at no cost. Enter your passport details, answer the character and health declaration questions including Condition 8528, and submit. You must be outside Australia at the time of application and at the time the visa is granted. Most applications are decided within 24-48 hours, though applications flagged for manual review can take longer. Source: Home Affairs, eVisitor (651).
Subclass 600: Also through ImmiAccount, but requires a full evidentiary upload including financial documents, evidence of ties to home country, travel history, and stream-specific paperwork. The application fee is from AUD 250 for Tourist, Sponsored Family, and Business Visitor streams offshore, and AUD 1,845 for the Frequent Traveller stream. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator (Home Affairs) to confirm your exact fee before lodging.
Neither the eVisitor (651) nor the Visitor Visa (600) permits you to work for an Australian employer or business. Engaging in unauthorised work violates visa conditions and can result in visa cancellation, a re-entry ban of up to 3 years under PIC 4014, and a permanent adverse immigration record affecting every future Australian visa application. For the full breakdown of what counts as work, see our Condition 8101 guide.
Where to Go From Here
If your passport is from India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, or any other Subclass 600 pathway, you already know the visa type. What comes next is making sure the application is complete, consistent, and decision-ready before it is submitted. At EazyViza, a certified agent prepares your file and a lawyer reviews everything before lodgement. One fixed fee, no hourly billing, no surprises.
Last reviewed: 13 August 2026. This guide reflects current Home Affairs policy and is updated when eligible country lists or visa conditions change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between eVisitor 651 and Visitor Visa Subclass 600?
The eVisitor (Subclass 651) is a free electronic visa exclusive to 36 European passport holders for short visits up to 3 months. The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is a fee-bearing visa (from AUD 250 offshore / AUD 630 onshore) open to all nationalities worldwide, offering stay options of 3, 6, or 12 months.
Is the eVisitor 651 visa completely free?
Yes. The eVisitor (Subclass 651) carries no visa application charge (AUD 0) when applied through ImmiAccount. Conversely, Subclass 600 Visitor Visa fees start at AUD 250 for offshore applications (Tourist, Family, Business Visitor streams) and AUD 630 for onshore lodgements.
Can I apply for eVisitor 651 if I have a criminal conviction?
If you have criminal convictions resulting in total custodial sentences of 12 months or more, you fail mandatory Condition 8528 and cannot use an eVisitor. For any criminal conviction history (even under 12 months), Home Affairs advises applying for Subclass 600 instead, where you can submit a formal character declaration with police checks.
Can I extend my 3-month stay on eVisitor 651 by leaving Australia and returning?
Every eVisitor entry caps your stay at 3 months. Making short "visa runs" (e.g., to Bali or New Zealand) to reset the 3-month timer flags border risk for non-genuine temporary stay. For continuous stays over 3 months, apply for the Subclass 600 Tourist stream.
What Australia visitor visa does an Indian or Philippine passport holder need?
Citizens of India, the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other non-European countries are not eligible for eVisitor (651) or ETA (601). They must apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
Can I work remotely while on an eVisitor 651 or Subclass 600 visa?
Condition 8101 prohibits working in Australia. However, incidental remote work for an overseas employer or managing your business back home while on holiday is generally permissible provided you do not enter the Australian labor market or supply services to Australian businesses.
Can I apply to extend an eVisitor 651 while inside Australia?
You cannot extend an eVisitor directly onshore. To stay longer than 3 months without leaving, you must lodge a Subclass 600 Tourist stream visa onshore prior to your eVisitor stay period expiring (provided Condition 8503 is not attached).
