Visitor Visas — certified translation guide

Australia has three different visitor visa subclasses — 600, 601 and 651 — and they are NOT interchangeable. Each is available to different country groups, has different application processes, and has very different document and translation requirements. Choosing the right subclass for your nationality is the first step.

Subclass 600 — Visitor Visa. This is the primary visitor visa available to most nationalities, including all Latin American countries. Applicants apply online through ImmiAccount and lodge supporting documents with the application. The Subclass 600 has three streams: the Tourist stream (tourism, recreation, or visiting family); the Business Visitor stream (conferences, negotiations, exploratory business enquiries — no paid work permitted); and the Sponsored Family stream (visiting an Australian-based family member who sponsors the visit). It is generally granted for up to 12 months per visit. Most Spanish-speaking visitors from Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador apply under the Subclass 600.

Subclass 601 — Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA is a completely different visa to the Subclass 600. It is an electronic authority linked to the passport — there is no label, stamp or physical document. The ETA is available ONLY to passport holders from a small list of eligible countries, including the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong (SAR), Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Applicants apply online or through the Australian ETA app. It allows stays of up to 3 months per visit within 12 months of grant. The ETA is NOT available to Latin American nationals — Colombian, Chilean, Argentine, Peruvian, Mexican, Venezuelan and Ecuadorean passport holders are not eligible and must apply for the Subclass 600 instead.

Subclass 651 — eVisitor. The eVisitor is a separate, free electronic visa for passport holders from most European Union member states and several other eligible European nations — including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Like the ETA, it is electronic and not a physical document, and it allows stays of up to 3 months per visit within 12 months. Spanish speakers from Spain may be eligible (check current eligibility on homeaffairs.gov.au). Latin American nationals are not eligible for the eVisitor and must apply for the Subclass 600.

Key differences. The Subclass 601 (ETA) and Subclass 651 (eVisitor) are NOT the same visa. They serve different country groups and are administered separately — the 601 covers mostly Asia-Pacific English-speaking countries, while the 651 covers mostly European countries. Neither is available to Latin American nationals.

When are certified translations required? The Subclass 600 commonly requires translated supporting documents such as bank statements, employment letters, birth certificates and marriage certificates. The ETA (601) and eVisitor (651) rarely require any supporting documents and therefore rarely require translation — but if the Department of Home Affairs requests supporting documents, any document not in English must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified English translation.

For the latest requirements, visit homeaffairs.gov.au or speak with a registered migration agent.