October 20, 2007
Australian Tourist Visa: online application
The following is a paid review:
This review is the first I've heard of getting visas online. Apparently through this site you can get an Australian tourist visa if you're from one of the select countries. I suppose this doesn't surprise me - actually as an American I'd be surprised if I needed a visa to visit Australia at all.
The site also lists short-stay business visas and long-stay business visas; these I would be surprised if you can get online.
If it's secure enough, I think it's a great system. Who wants to go to a consulate and wait in line (I never had much of a wait getting visas for Korea but at the US embassy in Seoul people start lining up hours before they open and that is a very long, very slow line)?
Unlike traditional visas, there are no application forms and no visa stamp in your passport. I might miss the stamp but certainly not the forms.
After looking at the online process more closely, you do have to fill out at least some information online. I knew there had to be something - they can't be giving out visas without getting your name, address, and so on.
At 20 British pounds, around 40 US dollars, the fee seems reasonable enough - I think I paid something similar to an agent in Korea to get my visa for China a few years back.
Still I wonder how they keep the system safe enough with these online visas.
Posted by James Trotta at October 20, 2007 10:54 AM | TrackBack
When I traveled to Australia a few years back I used the online visa process to great success. They did not even ask for the proof that I bought the visa at customs, it was in their computer system already. I thought though that I got mine directly through the Australian Embassy website not a 3rd party (could be faulty memory). I do remember that the price was only 5 USD.
Posted by: Craig Montero at October 20, 2007 12:42 PMAs a travel agent, we issue ETAs for our clients all the time, and do so through the airlines computer systems. But I do know some folks who have used the website without any problems. And you have to give all the personal information, because it is a VALID visa, and is given to their local authorities before your visit. Same as any other visa. Just no stamp!
Posted by: Linda Bator at October 20, 2007 4:46 PMA Tourist ETA takes about 5 minutes for a Travel Agent to issue. Most will do it for free if you made your travel arrangements with them. Just bring your passport in. $40.00 seems a pretty steep fee to "do it yourself"
The ETA system works very well from a traveler's perspective, very seamless.
If you go to the official Australian website for ETA the cost is AUS 20 (about $18 USD)
Posted by: Robert at October 22, 2007 8:50 PMas an ex airline employee i used to issue austrailian visas for free on day of travel thru our system. so its not unusual.
Posted by: victoria at October 23, 2007 2:47 AM