Australian Immigration Daily News

The Australian Government has registered the Migration (Arrangements for eVisitor Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/061).

The instrument commences on 29 September 2026 and specifies the approved form and lodgement requirements for valid Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa applications within the Visitor (Class TV) visa class.

Application Requirements

Under LIN 26/061, a valid Subclass 651 visa application must:

• be made using Form 1362 (Internet); and

• be lodged as an internet application.

The instrument is made under subregulation 2.07(5) of the Migration Regulations 1994. This provision permits the Minister to specify the approved form, place and manner for making a valid visa application where authorised by Schedule 1 to the Regulations.

Replacement of Previous Instrument

LIN 26/061 repeals and replaces the Arrangements for E-Visitor Applications 2016/111 (IMMI 16/111), which was scheduled to sunset on 1 April 2027.

The new instrument remakes the existing arrangements in substantially the same form. It does not introduce a new application pathway or materially alter the current requirements for lodging a Subclass 651 visa application.

Practical Effect

Applicants must continue to apply online using the prescribed internet form. An application that is not made using Form 1362 (Internet) or is not submitted as an internet application may fail to satisfy the requirements for a valid visa application.

The Department of Home Affairs considers online lodgement to be a positive, low-risk administrative arrangement that reduces application costs and avoids delivery delays.

Migration professionals assisting eligible clients with Subclass 651 applications should ensure that the correct online form and prescribed lodgement process are used.

The instrument is administrative in nature and maintains the established electronic application arrangements for the eVisitor visa.

Source: Migration-Arrangements-for-eVisitor-visa-applications-Instrument-2026.pdf and

Migration-Arrangements-for-eVisitor-visa-applications-Instrument-2026-explanatory-statement.pdf