Apply for an Australia eVisitor Visa from the UK

If you hold a UK passport and want to visit Australia for a holiday, to see family, or for a short business trip, the eVisitor visa (subclass 651) is the route most British travelers take. It is online, there is no passport stamp or sticker, and it covers repeat visits for a year.

This guide walks you through who can apply, what to get ready, how the process works with Apply Australia Visa, and the mistakes that cause the most delays for UK applicants.

Quick answer

• Who it is for: UK passport holders visiting Australia for tourism, visiting friends and family, or short business activities.
• How long you can stay: Up to 3 months on each visit.
• How long it lasts: 12 months from the day it is granted, with multiple entries.
• What you cannot do: Work for an Australian employer or study for more than 3 months.
• Where you apply: Online, from outside Australia, using your passport details.

Who can apply from the UK?

A British passport is on the list of passports that can use the eVisitor. You need to apply with the passport you will actually travel on. This matters most for dual citizens. If you hold a UK passport and another one, pick the passport you will show at the airport and use that one for the whole application. Our guide for dual citizens explains this in more detail.

You also need to be outside Australia when you apply, and your trip must fit the visa rules. It suits:

• Holidays and sightseeing
• Visiting relatives or friends
• Short business trips such as meetings, conferences and negotiations
• Transit with a short stay

If your plan is longer than 3 months, or includes paid work or a course, this is the wrong visa. Planning to build a life there? Read our page on moving to Australia from the UK for jobs instead.

For the full list of conditions, see our Australia eVisitor requirements for 2026 and the subclass 651 overview.

What to get ready before you start

Having these in front of you makes the form much quicker:

1. Your UK passport. Check the name, number, issue date and expiry date exactly as printed. Keep it valid for your whole trip.
2. A working email address. Your approval notice goes here, so use one you check every day.
3. Your travel plan. An arrival date, how long you will stay, and where you will be in Australia. It does not need to be a perfect itinerary.
4. Contact and address details for your home in the UK.
5. Answers to the health and character questions. Be ready to answer these honestly. We cover the common ones in our documents checklist.
6. A payment method to complete your application.

If you want the full list, our documents needed for the eVisitor visa page goes through every item.

How to apply with Apply Australia Visa

The process is short when your details are ready.

Step 1: Start your application. Open our eVisitor application page and choose UK as your passport country.

Step 2: Enter your passport and personal details. Copy them directly from your passport photo page. Do not type from memory.

Step 3: Add your travel details. Give your planned arrival date and the purpose of your trip, either tourism or business.

Step 4: Answer the declaration questions. Read each one carefully before you answer.

Step 5: Review everything. This is the step most people rush. Check each letter and number, then submit.

Step 6: Watch your email. Your outcome is sent to the address you gave. You can also use our status check page to follow progress.

Want the long version with screenshots-style detail? See how to apply for the eVisitor visa from the UK.

Timing: when should you apply?

Many applications are decided quickly, but some take longer, especially when a detail needs checking. Do not leave it for the last week.

A simple rule: apply as soon as you have your travel dates, and before you pay for anything you cannot change. Book flights with a flexible fare, or wait for your approval first. Our page on eVisitor processing time for UK applicants explains what affects the wait.

Real situations UK travelers run into

These are common scenarios we see in questions from UK travelers. They show how the rules work in practice.

The two-passport traveler. Sam has a UK passport and an Irish passport and applies with the UK one. At the airport, he hands over his Irish passport by habit. The airline cannot find his visa. The fix is simple: always travel on the same passport you applied with.

The “quick business trip” that turns into a job. Priya is invited to a two-day meeting in Sydney, and the company then asks her to stay and help on site for six weeks. Meetings are fine. Ongoing work for an Australian company is not. If your plans change like this, speak to us before you travel.

The family of four. Each family member needs their own application, including children, each with their own passport. Parents often forget this and only apply for themselves.

The typo. A single wrong digit in a passport number can cause a mismatch at check-in. It is the most common avoidable problem we hear about.

Common mistakes UK applicants make

• Applying with the wrong passport. See the dual citizen point above.
• Typing the passport number from memory. Always copy it from the passport itself.
• Using an email address they rarely check. You may miss your approval.
• Booking non-refundable flights before approval. Wait, or choose a flexible fare.
• Confusing the eVisitor with the ETA. They are different visas with different rules. We compare them in eVisitor vs ETA: which visa do I need?
• Assuming a past issue does not matter. If you have a criminal record or a past visa problem, read travelling to Australia with a criminal record before applying.
• Planning to work. The eVisitor does not allow it.

Tips that save time and stress

• Take a clear photo of your passport page first and keep it open while you fill in the form.
• Use the name exactly as it appears in your passport, including middle names.
• Save your application reference number somewhere safe.
• Take a screenshot of your approval and keep a copy on your phone.
• Get travel insurance for Australia. Medical care is costly for visitors, and cover is a smart add-on for any trip.
• Check whether you need any health information or vaccines before you fly.

Why UK travelers apply with Apply Australia Visa

• Built around UK passport holders. We write our guides with British travelers in mind, from UK citizens’ eVisitor visa to trip planning.
• Clear, plain-English steps. No confusing wording or guesswork.
• Support when you need it. Our team is available 24/7 if you have a question before or after you apply. You can reach us through our contact page.
• Help beyond the form. Once you are approved, use our guides to plan your trip, like how long to spend in Australia, our best Australia itinerary, and our guide to a trip to Australia from the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the eVisitor visa from the UK? Yes. You apply online while you are outside Australia, using your UK passport.

How long can I stay? Up to 3 months on each visit. The visa stays valid for 12 months and allows several entries.

Do I get a stamp or sticker in my passport? No. Your visa is linked to your passport electronically. Keep your approval email as a backup.

Can I work in Australia on the eVisitor? No. It covers tourism, family visits and short business activities only.

Do children need their own application? Yes. Every traveler needs their own application and passport.

I already applied. How can I check my status? Use our status check page.

I still have questions. Our FAQ page covers the most common ones, or you can talk to our team directly.

Ready to apply?

If you hold a UK passport and have your travel dates, you can start now. Get your passport ready, open the application, and finish it in one sitting. Start your Australia eVisitor application with Apply Australia Visa today, and get back to the fun part, planning your trip.