eVisitor 651 step by step: how to apply for your Australian visa

The eVisitor (subclass 651) is the free electronic travel authorisation that the Australian Government grants to eligible European passport holders for short tourism or business stays. Applying is straightforward, but a piece of data entered incorrectly or an inconsistent answer can delay or complicate it. In this guide we explain how to apply for the eVisitor 651 step by step, updated for 2026.

1. What you need before you start

Before opening the application, have the following ready and double-check it. Being prepared avoids most mistakes:

• An eligible, valid European passport (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal and the rest of the EU, as well as the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City).
• Passport details: number, issue and expiry dates, and country of issue, exactly as they appear on the document.
• Personal details consistent with your passport (full name, date of birth, nationality).
• Being outside Australia at the time of the application.
• A valid email address to receive the decision.
• No card needed: the Government fee is $0. The eVisitor 651 is free.

2. How to apply for the eVisitor 651 step by step

1. Check that your European passport is eligible. The 651 is reserved for passports of accepted European countries. If yours isn't, you'll need a different visa (usually the 600), and applying for the 651 would be a mistake from the outset.
2. Gather your details. Have your passport and personal details in front of you so you can enter them without mistakes or discrepancies.
3. Complete the online application while outside Australia. Fill in the form with correct, consistent data; answer the health and background questions honestly.
4. You pay nothing: it's free. The eVisitor 651 has no Government fee. If at any point you're asked to pay for the visa itself, be wary.
5. Wait for the decision, linked to your passport. Once granted, the eVisitor is electronically associated with your passport: there is no physical label or stamp. You'll receive confirmation by email.

It seems simple, and sometimes it is, but mistakes in the data or inconsistent answers cause delays and refusals. That's why many people prefer to do it with guidance.

3. Mistakes that cause delays or refusals

• Passport details entered incorrectly or not matching the document.
• Applying for the 651 with a non-eligible passport (you'd need the 600).
• Criminal history or health situations not declared correctly.
• Inconsistencies that cast doubt on your intention to visit temporarily.
• Applying while already in Australia, when it must be done from outside.
• Email mistakes that prevent you from receiving the decision.

4. How long does it take?

In many cases the decision is fast, but processing times can vary and some applications require additional checks. Our recommendation is clear: apply well ahead of your trip and avoid the mistakes above, because they are the main cause of avoidable delays.

Conditions and fees are set by the Australian Government and may change. Always verify them on the official website.

5. Do it in about 15 min with our course for 26 USD

In all honesty: you don't pay for the visa (it's free on the official website). For just 26 USD —far less than the €80–150 an agency charges— you learn to do it yourself, properly and on the first attempt, in about 15 minutes and stress-free. We do NOT process it: we teach you. And it works for your whole family and your future trips. A mistake in the application can cost you the flight and hotel you've already paid for: the course protects you from that for a fraction of its value.

Want to understand everything in depth first? Check our complete eVisitor 651 guide with requirements, eligibility and comparisons.

6. Frequently asked questions