Australia is truly one of the world’s most stunning destinations, with breathtaking landscapes around every corner and so much to learn as you travel around the country. It is worthwhile to visit Australia as a tourist. However, you must know all Australian travel information before your trip. For example, is obtaining a visa a requirement for a tourist visiting Australia for just a few days or months?
If you’re not an Australian citizen, you need a visa to visit the country. Regardless of tourists’ nationality, they must apply for an Australian visa at the Australian Embassy before leaving their home country.
This article will discuss everything related to visiting Australia, getting your Australian visa, and all you need to know before flying to Australia. Scroll down for more details on Australian travel if you are a tourist planning a trip to Australia or if you are just curious.
How Long Can I Stay In Australia As A Tourist?
Tourists are only permitted to stay in Australia for a maximum of three months, irrespective of the reason for their visit. Although the Australian visa has a 12-month validity period, it does not imply that visitors can stay for a full year.
The 12-month visa granted to tourists means they may visit Australia at any time during the 12-month period, but each visit is limited to three months. So, visiting Australia as a tourist has no restrictions, except that once your visa expires, your stay in Australia ends.
If you want to stay in Australia for more than three months, you can apply for a 6-month Australia visa, which allows you to stay for six months.
A one-year visa option can also be issued to tourists who intend to stay for as long as 12 months. For these other options, you must adhere to certain conditions to obtain the visa.
For more information, visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
How Long Can A US Citizen Stay In Australia?
To stay in Australia for a long period of time, a US citizen must apply for an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA has a 12-month validity period, which means that Americans can stay in Australia for 12 months if their ETA visa is still valid.
The Australian ETA for US citizens is valid for tourism and business travel. Also, depending on the ETA visa option chosen, Americans can stay in Australia for 12 months at a time or every three months.
Without the ETA, no US citizen will be permitted entry into Australia; with the ETA visa, US citizens can stay in Australia for as long as they like, provided that their visa and passport are still valid at the time of entry. US citizens can apply for an ETA online by visiting the ETA website for a small service fee.
Fun Fact: The Australian Alps have more snow than the Swiss Alps, making it the best place to enjoy skiing.
Do All Countries Demand Visas From US Citizens?
Not all countries require a visa from US citizens. There are some countries that US citizens can visit without a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. The following table contains a list of countries that U.S. citizens may visit with or without a visa.
| Countries Requiring Visas | Countries That Do Not Require Visas |
| Antarctica | Argentina |
| Brazil | Bahamas |
| Egypt | Germany |
| Maldives | Jamaica |
| Qatar | Mauritius |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Switzerland |
How Much Bank Balance Is Required For An Australia Tourist Visa?
Financial commitments are essential to obtain a visa to visit any country, particularly as a tourist, because they determine whether tourists will be able to support themselves during their stay.
Tourists seeking an Australian visa must have bank statements from the previous three months with a closing account balance of at least 5,000 AUD.
Other financial commitments required from tourists, in addition to the 5000 AUD closing balance, include credit card limits, payslips, and audited accounts.
Also, for tourists that plan to stay for a month, a minimum of 1500 AUD in cash is required. However, depending on your purpose of visit, you may require more or less.
It is recommended that you consult with a Registered Migration Agent to go over the bank balance you will require, as the Australia Visa Bank Balance on the website is generally for all tourists.
Tourists are not permitted to work under the terms of their visitor visa. As a result, it is important for the Australian Government to know how and if the tourists will be able to support themselves financially.
How Long Does It Take To Get An Australia Tourist Visa?
After determining your eligibility to apply for and obtain an Australian tourist visa, the next step is to choose the type of visa to obtain, as this determines the visa’s processing time. The length of time required to obtain the visa is determined by the subclass applied for.
The processing time for a 6-month or 12-month tourist visa is two to four weeks after the submission of all required documents and information. If, however, additional processing is required, such as clearance from the police or a doctor, it may take longer to obtain.
In addition, there are a variety of options available for processing visas like the eVisitor visa, and the First, Second, and Third working holiday visas for travellers who have an urgent need to obtain an Australian visa within the space of twenty-four hours or even less.
These options are determined by the urgency of the visa. They attract additional fees; the quicker the visa is required, the higher the fee.
Is An Australian Visa Hard To Get?
If your application does not contain any legal problems or other red flags, obtaining an Australian visa is one of the easiest visas to get your hands on.
A tourist or visitor to Australia will have a difficult time obtaining a visa if their application contains any errors, inconsistencies, or pending criminal cases or records.
To make your visa easy to collect in Australia, abide by all the rules and regulations that apply to visitors, provide all the necessary documents and information promptly, and check the validity of the documents you present at the Australian Embassy or Consulate before leaving your home country.
How Do I Plan A Trip To Australia?
After you have made the decision to travel to Australia and have completed the necessary steps to obtain a visa, the next step is to make sure that you have a well-thought-out itinerary before you arrive in the country.
There is so much to discover and explore in Australia. To ensure that you get the most out of your time in Australia, be sure to keep the following advice in mind.
Make A Budget
After you have settled your visa payments, create a financial budget for the duration of your stay in Australia. This will help you plan the activities you participate in and the types of places you will be able to visit based on the amount of money you have allotted for those purposes in your budget.
Select Your Time Of Visit
There are four seasons in Australia, each with its own uniqueness. Certain locations in Australia are best visited during a specific season. The timing of your trip to Australia is crucial, as it will determine where you visit and how you prepare.
Decide On The Length Of Your Stay
Your length of stay determines your Australia itinerary. Depending on your schedule, you can stay for a few days or several weeks.
Your length of stay will determine where you go, how much time you spend at each tourist attraction, as well as the mode of transportation you use during your trip.
Choose Your Travel Destination
Australia is a small continent with many cities and places to visit. From north to south, east to west, Australia has many attractive sites and travel destinations. Choose a city that best appeals to you and where you can spend enough time and visit notable places.
- Travel Guide To Victoria
- Travel Guide To Hobart and Launceston
- Travel Guide To South Australia
- Travel Guide To Northern Territory
- Travel Guide To New South Wales
- Travel Guide To Queensland
- Travel Guide To Western Australia
- Travel Guide To Uluru, Kakadu, and Alice Springs
- Travel Guide To Tasmania
Decide On The Activities To Engage In
Travelling to Australia is like visiting a paradise filled with so many diverse activities that you may not be able to complete the list. Some of the activities to engage in include;
Hiking
Since hiking is such a popular activity in Australia, you should bring your hiking boots with you if you plan on exploring the country’s mountain ranges.
Walking Or BushWalking
Australia has many walking trails where you can go on walks or cycle across them. The distance between some attraction sites and even states within Australia is trekkable, allowing for the viewing of roadside attractions.
Water-Related Activities
Australia has a great proportion of islands. As a result, it has a lot of beaches, oceans, and waterfalls. There is an abundance of activities available in the water regions, such as snorkelling, swimming, canoe paddling, surfing, fishing, and so much more.
Decide On Your Mode Of Transportation
Transportation within Australia’s states is predominantly by land or water. Once you have decided on your destination, the next thing is to choose your mode of transportation so that you don’t miss out on anything on your list. Some places are best reached by ferry, while others are best reached by car or bicycle.
Select Your Lodging Option
Choosing the right accommodation for your trip is important and depends on your budget. There are resorts, hostels, and hotels available for your stay here. If you choose the right lodge, you will have easy access to various tourist attractions.
Pack Your Luggage
After deciding when and where to go, the last thing to do is pack your luggage. Choose weather-appropriate clothing, shoes, and personal items to make your trip more enjoyable.
Most importantly, don’t forget to bring a nice camera to capture scenic views of Australia during your trip.
How Far Is A Flight To Australia?
Travelling from the United States to Australia takes approximately 19 hours and 26 minutes, equating to an average flight speed of 805 km/h for a plane flying at 500 mph.
Many factors, such as wind speeds, weather delays, and unforeseen circumstances, would be considered when determining the flight speed from the United States to Australia.
The time difference between the United States and Australia is based on the straight-line distance from Australia to the United States, which is about 15,230 kilometres (9,463 miles). Other things you need to know about travelling from the United States to Australia are;
- The fastest flight from the United States to Australia is from Los Angeles to Sydney, with an average flight time of 15 hours.
- The most famous Australian destinations for flights from the United States to Australia are Gold Coast, Melbourne, and Sydney.
- The most popular airlines for flights from the United States to Australia are Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can U.S. Citizens Obtain An Australian Visa Upon Arrival?
Australia does not issue visas on arrival to US citizens. Visas must be obtained in advance through the Australian Online Visa Website or the Australian Embassy. No US citizen will be permitted entry into Australia without an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), regardless of the duration of their visit.
Why Are Tourist Visas To Australia Denied?
One major reason your Australia visa gets rejected is insufficient funds in your bank account during your stay. The Australian Government will not grant visas to tourists with insufficient funds because they won’t be able to sustain themselves in the country.
What Travel Documents Are Required To Visit Australia?
Aside from visas, Australia requires stamped passports, boarding passes, financial documents, national IDs, birth certificates, and other identity documents from tourists.
Final Words
Australia is a beautiful country to visit and explore.. To visit Australia, however, you must have an Australian visa; otherwise, you will be denied entry. You cannot visit Australia without a valid visa if you are not an Australian citizen. To obtain your visa, go to the Australian Embassy or apply online. Have a safe trip!
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