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