Do you need a visa?
For holidays (less than 3 months on the Australian Territory)?
Yes, a visa is necessary.
The process is easy; you only have to do a request via internet for an electronic visa. It's called an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority).
- Cost: 20AU$
- Timeframe to obtain it: immediate
Certain travel agencies include the ETA part of the airfare; don't forget to ask for it.
If you want to do this over the internet, you will need an up-to-date passport and a valid credit card. Check also that your passport is valid for the next 6 months after your departure to Australia.
Be careful:
- You have to stay less than 3 months otherwise you will have to request another type of visa.
- The request must be done PRIOR to be on the Australian territory.
To work?
Yes, you will need a visa
Since 2004, conditions have been toughened to grant visas in Australia. Candidates now have to provide many documents and prove that they are necessary to the country. It exist a list of preferred employment to obtain more easily a visa.
Working Holiday Visa :
This is the most renowned visa to travel across Australia. It's a very economic and practical solution to travel and discover Australia.
This visa is for people between 18 to 30 years old who wish to visit and also learn English while there.
This visa is valid for 12 months and authorise you to work for different employers for periods under 3 consecutive months.
Important: You must not have a person depending on you. This visa is non renewable and you need to show that you are arriving with enough money to cover you're the initial period of your journey if needed. Generally speaking, they will ask for a bank statement or a letter from your bank testifying that you have enough money to pay a return ticket and other related fees to your travel to return back to your country.
Student Visa
It concerns full time studies. The student must be enrolled in an Australian school / college / university before coming to Australia.
Funding is necessary to cover the enrolment fees and the cost of life in Australia. It is permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full time during holiday periods.
Important: Studying in Australia is a very costly process in comparison to some other countries (like France for example). It's not rare to spend over AU$100 000 for graduating in Australia. (It also depends on the prestige of the university you choose)
Occupational training visa
This visa is delivered in procedure that can take up to 6 weeks. The company must accept to sponsor an individual either in the territory or still overseas. The demand must be done by the company itself. It implies lots of paperwork for the company. It’s a very good way to work and discover Australia at the same time.
Sponsorship Visa: a great temporary visa
This visa will give you the same rights as any Australian to work in the country. This system is much more flexible than the United States for example, where lots of restrictions apply.
Note: It is usually pretty hard to get one; you will have to show specific qualities and qualifications (scientist, baker, IT.).
It might take up to 6 weeks to obtain one. Your employer must accept to sponsor you.
The demand for the visa must be done by the company and cost can be very important.
Temporary visa for business
It grants you the right to go in Australia for work related purposes: benchmark, meeting or commercial negotiations.
This visa is valid from 5 to 10 years (usually goes with the validity of your passport). You can stay in Australia for a maximum of 3 months in total.
It is generally granted to expatriates who, by their position in a business, are in management roles or very specialised work environment.
Sponsoring employers must prove that the local market is incapable of providing candidates with the required profile for the role.
The visa is valid for the length of the contract. Candidates have to satisfy health checks prior the acceptance of the visa.
The partner of the person applying for the visa can usually be granted with the same visa.
To extend a visa
The maximum duration for a visa is one year in total (even with an extension). It's done by the department office of immigration and ethnic affairs in Australia. It’s more secure to go before your visa expires. Indeed, the process can be delayed and you could be thrown out of the country.
Every application will cost your around AU$200 - even if you fail the extension the money won't be refunded.
You will have to present some documents to back up your extension such as a medical cover and a return flight.