Australian Immigration Daily News

The Australian Government has suspended processing of ETA visas until further notice. The ETA page used to make an application displays the following message

“Important notice
Strict travel restrictions are in place for all countries due to COVID 19. You should not apply for any visa until checking the latest information”

This visa is designed to allow a streamlined pathway for individuals from the following countries to enter and remain in Australia for up to three months per stay:

1. Brunei
2. Canada
3. Hong Kong (SAR of China)
4. Japan
5. Malaysia
6. Singapore
7. South Korea
8. United States

The ETA differs from other visitor visas in that: 

• no visa label is issued
• there are fewer criteria to be satisfied
• ETAs are subject to more mandatory conditions

There is only one subclass (601) in the ETA visa class (Class UD). The ETA enables the holder to travel to Australia on multiple occasions, with a maximum of 3 months stay on each visit, for a period of up to 12 months from the date of grant, or within the life of the passport, whichever is shorter.  It is also not transferrable to another passport (e.g. if your passport expires, you will need to apply for a new ETA which is to be linked to the new passport).

Whilst there is no specific timeframe as to when we can expect ETA visas to resume, it is important to remember that the ETA visa allows limited activities including:

Applicants who state an intention only to visit Australia temporarily for business visitor activities are known as business visitors. A ‘business visitor activity’ is defined in regulation 1.03 as:

• making general business enquiries, or investigating, negotiating and reviewing contracts with organisations in Australia
• investigating, negotiating or entering into a personal business agreement, including investment or enquiring into employment opportunities
• participating in conferences, trade fairs or seminars unless the visa holder is being paid by the organisers for participation
• making an official government to government visit

Consistent with the definition above, a ‘business visitor activity’ is not:

• the actual supply of services to, or the undertaking of work for, an organisation in Australia or individuals in Australia or
• making sales of goods or services directly to the general public.

More information will be made available as and when it arises.