| In the modern world there are few things | | | | Another very popular type of Australian travel visa is |
| governments protect more fiercely than the security | | | | the working holiday visa. To satisfy the requirements |
| of their borders. Australia is no different. As such, | | | | for this applicants must; be aged between 18 and 30 |
| there seem to be a countless number of different | | | | years olds, hold a valid passport in an approved |
| visas, each appropriate to only a very specific set of | | | | country, hold a return ticket or be able to prove that |
| reasons for visiting Australia. It is all too easy to | | | | you have sufficient funds to purchase one and to |
| become lost in the paperwork and jargon. This article | | | | cover the initial part of your stay, have no children |
| aims to clear the metaphorical fog and explain exactly | | | | and be visiting Australia with the intention of travelling |
| what visa you require for your particular trip to | | | | rather than for economic or educational reasons. |
| Australia. | | | | If you are issued a working holiday visa then you will |
| Perhaps one of the simplest travel visas available is | | | | be entitled to stay in Australia for a period of twelve |
| the ETA tourist visa. ETA stands for Electronic Travel | | | | months and undertake temporary employment. The |
| Authority and represents the fact that this visa no | | | | key restriction here is that visa-holders may not |
| longer takes the form of a stamp in your passport. | | | | work for any one employer for a period of greater |
| Instead, if approved, the authorisation is stored | | | | than three months. This limitation has been put in |
| electronically against your passport number. The only | | | | place to ensure that visitors do not become too |
| requirement set for those applying for a tourist visa | | | | settled in one location; tourism should be the primary |
| is that they hold a passport in one of the thirty-four | | | | motivation for the visit. Studying is permitted on this |
| approved countries. However, do not assume that | | | | visa with a maximum course duration of four months. |
| just because you meet this requirement you will then | | | | If you wish to study in Australia for a period greater |
| automatically qualify for a visa, this is simply not the | | | | than four months then you will require a student visa. |
| case. | | | | To qualify for such a visa you have to have gained |
| Therefore, it is recommended that you do not book | | | | an offer of a place at an Australian college or other |
| flights until your visa has been approved, this ensures | | | | educational institution. |
| that you will not be disappointed. The tourist visa is | | | | Finally, if you wish to visit Australia as a tourist for |
| valid for a period of twelve months and allows you | | | | longer than 3 months but do not wish to seek |
| to travel to Australia multiple times with each stay | | | | temporary employment then you will require a long |
| lasting no longer than three months. It is possible to | | | | stay visa. The conditions of acceptance for this visa |
| study in Australia using this visa on the condition that | | | | are less stringent than that for the working holiday |
| the course lasts no longer than the maximum period | | | | visa. |
| of stay (i.e. 3 months). | | | | |