Visa

I'm coming to Australia in March and need info on getting a visa, does anyone know how to get one and where to get one and what the cost is? Thanks a lot for the info....

There are several ways to apply for the Visa: through your TA, directly online (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/), from the cruise line, or from the airline. Check your cruise documents under Govt Fees to see if the line has applied for a Visa and you were already charged for it.

 

The Australian Visa is electronically linked to your passport: you do not get a hardcopy. Australia doesn't charge for the Visa, but all of the above sources will charge a processing fee between AUS$15 and AUS$20. Some TAs may use part of their commission to absorb the fee. Online applications can take upwards of two weeks to process. Qantas processed my Visa while I was on the phone.

If you are visiting for less than 3 months from USA you shouldn't need a visa. www.immi.gov.au will have info, also www.dfat.gov.au may help.

Maxx is correct that Australia does not charge for the visitor Visa. It is the agency applying for the Visa on your behalf that makes the charge for their services. It is my understanding from everything I've read and what Qantas told me that all visitors are required to have a Visa to enter Australia.

 

From Australia immigration (http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/ostravel2.htm)

• via a travel agent, airline or specialist service provider who can arrange an ETA on the traveller's behalf; or
  
  
• the traveller applying directly via the Internet; or
  
  
• the traveller applying at an Australian visa office overseas.

Since there seems to be a difference of opinion, you should call your TA or the Australian Consulate to see what documents you require to enter Australia.

I was not able to get customer relations at Holland America to tell me if they had arranged for our electronic visas for our Feb. cruise, so I had a local travel agent (Aussie specialist) do it online and send me an email confirmation. Cost was $20 US for her services for two visas. Don't use Zierer, they want $35 per visa.

I was not able to get customer relations at Holland America to tell me if they had arranged for our electronic visas for our Feb. cruise, so I had a local travel agent (Aussie specialist) do it online and send me an email confirmation. Cost was $20 US for her services for two visas. Don't use Zierer, they want $35 per visa.

 

I just did these online through the Australian government site and with the exchange rate discount it only came to about $16.00 each U.S. It is really easy to do as long as you have your passport information in front of you - just follow the instructions and submit with credit card info.

I would really check out the visa, when Pres Clinton was in office he did a deal with Australia to waive visas for Aussies travelling to USA and we reciprecated.

As NH Cruiser quoted there is no charge, I can't believe that the TA's charge for this.

Maybe Qantas airlines could give you some more info.

maxx,

 

The requirements have changed. ETA's are now required by Australia for tourists entering the country.

Thanks for the info, I guess the security requirements are getting stricter.

Thanks for the info, I guess the security requirements are getting stricter.

Do you have a reference for this waiver for US nationals entering Australia at any time? AFAIK, all visitors other than Kiwis have always had to hold a visa or an ETA and there haven't been any exceptions made for anyone. The visa/ETA requirement has always applied even to nationals of countries that have never demanded a visa of Australian visitors.

Thanks for all the info, I just called Princess and they said that our VISA is included. Is there any websites I can go on to verify this? Thanks again.

Catz821: When our travel agent sent the cruise booking information, there was a section called Govt fees/taxes. After the amount there was a note: includes Australian visa. Since we made our own air arrangements through Qantas and they applied for the visa on our behalf, we had our travel agent remove the Princess charge, which was US$20 per person.

I'm coming to Australia in March and need info on getting a visa, does anyone know how to get one and where to get one and what the cost is? Thanks a lot for the info....

I got my Autralian visa through my TA, it is free of charge. My TA told me either they get it for me or airline. There is no charge.

Happy New Year !! :)

United airlines arranged for my visa when I booked the flight. They said it gets done electronicly and I won't get anything before arriving but since they have daily flight to AU I expect that this is not a problem.

I also did ours free of charge through United Airlines. They just gave me the date and time of issuance for each of them.