Visa Enquiries Telephone: Mon - Thu 1pm to 5pm, Fri 1pm to 4pm - Telephone: +49 (0)30 700 129 129 - Fax: +49(0)30 22 48 92 93
Counter Hours Visa Section: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 11am
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ETA - Electronic Travel Authority
Visiting for up to 3 months and Short Business Trips
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Attention Travel Agents
Most CRS (Computer Reservation System) support the ETA System. Please find the current ETA Manual available for download on the following website.
Download the ETA Manual (PDF Format, DIAC website)
Changes as of 21 April 08: When airlines or travel agents are lodging an ETA application in either the airline reservation system or the Global Distribution System, in a small number of cases they may see a visa status message advising them of processing time of 12 hours. When this occurs, airline staff or travel agents are advised to wait the prescribed time before checking the visa status with TIETAQ or before contacting the Department of Immigration and Citizenship about the application.
Information for Visitors
Most people who wish to visit Australia for three months or less can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa for Australia from their travel agent or from the airline they are travelling with.
To be eligible for an ETA you must be a holder of an eligible passport
See: Eligible passports - DIAC Website
The following information is available if you are not eligible for an ETA:
See: Other Visitor Visa Options - DIAC Website
The ETA enables travel agents and airline ticketing staff to key in your passport information straight into the ETA system. When you then arrive at the airport for check-in, the check-in staff can electronically confirm that you have authority to travel to Australia. Ask your travel agent or airline for an ETA early in advance, not on the departure day.
You must comply with your ETA conditions while in Australia. A breach of these conditions may result in your ETA being cancelled and you may have to leave Australia.
The Visitor (Tourist) ETA [976] is:
for tourism or to visit friends or relatives,
valid for one year from the date of issue for multiple entry, and
you may stay up to three months on each visit, and
work in Australia is not permitted.
free of charge*
The Business (Short validity) ETA [977] is:
for business visits, including conference attendance or exploratory business visits;
Info: Working in the Field of Entertainment, Media and Sports
Info: Temporary Business Entry (457, working for a non- Australian Company)
Info: Temporary Business Entry (e457, working for an Australian Company) allows for multiple entry for 1 year from the date of issue and at each visit you
can stay up to three months; free of charge*
Examples of appropriate activities are provided on the following website.
See: ETA (Business Entrant) Conditions
The Business (Long validity) ETA [956] is:
issued by a travel agent or the Australian Embassy (not available online),
for business visits, including conference attendance and exploratory business visits,
Info: Working in the Field of Entertainment, Media and Sports
Info: Temporary Business Entry (457, working for a non- Australian Company)
Info: Temporary Business Entry (e457, working for an Australian Company) is valid for up to the life of the passport with a maximum of 10 years,
incurs a fee to the Australian Government which is to be paid by credit card.
See: Current Visa Charges
Examples of appropriate activities are provided on the following website.
See: ETA (Business Entrant) Conditions
How to apply for your ETA online?
The Visitor (Tourist) ETA and the Business (Short validity) ETA can also be obtained via Internet. This online service incurs a non-refundable service charge of AUD20.00.
See: Australian Electronic Travel Authority
Changes as of 21 April 08: The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship is implementing changes to the ETA system. In a small number of cases, we cannot immediately issue your ETA. Please check back in 12 hours to confirm whether your application has been successful. Please apply for your ETA as early as possible to allow sufficient time for your application to be processed.
Problems with your ETA?
If you or your travel agent or airline encounter any problems with your ETA, you should send an e-mail with a scan or digital photo of the personal details' page of your passport, your intended travel dates and the purpose of your travel as well as the error message that you received to the following address.
E-Mail: ETA Helpdesk
If your passport is not eligible for an ETA?
If you do not hold an ETA eligible passport, you should apply for a Tourist Visa via the Internet (s/c e676) or at the Australian Embassy Berlin. If you are neither eligible for an ETA or an e676, you need to apply in paper to the Australian Embassy Berlin. If you wisht to enter Australia for business purposes and you do not hold an ETA eligible passport, you should apply for a Short Business Trip visa (s/c 456).
See: Visitor Visa (Documents to be included)
See: Short Business Trip
* The Australian Embassy does not charge you for an ETA application. Most airlines and travel agents will also issue the ETA free of charge, however, they are free to request a service charge.