Do i need a transit visa for Australia?
Do you need a visa for a stopover in Australia? Find out the official rules based on your transit time and nationality before you leave, so you can travel with peace of mind.
Convenient, max. 72 hours — for a simple transit without leaving the airport.
Quick online authorization — the alternative for a more flexible stopover.
Australia is a major transit destination between Europe and Asia. But many travellers wonder: do you need a visa for a simple stopover? In reality, it all depends on the length of your transit, your nationality and your itinerary. While some short stopovers do not require a visa, others require a Transit Visa (subclass 771), an eVisitor or an eTA. This guide details the situations in which a visa is required, the types of visas available, their costs and the procedure for obtaining them. The aim is to ensure a smooth passage in accordance with Australian regulations.
Transit visa or stopover in Australia: at a glance
- 🇦🇺 Visa required: yes, unless the stopover lasts less than 8 hours without leaving the international zone.
- 🛂 Visa type: Transit Visa (771), eVisitor (651) or ETA (601).
- 🕓 Maximum duration: 72 hours with a Transit Visa.
- 💳 Price: Transit Visa free; eVisitor free; ETA ≈ AUD 20.
- 🌐 Application: online on the official Australian website or through a private provider
- 📄 Documents: valid passport + confirmed ticket to a third country.
- 🚫 Restriction: no tourist activities are permitted with a Transit Visa.
Many travellers wonder whether it is required to obtain a transit visa for Australia when they are only making a simple stopover. In reality, it all depends on three key factors:
✈️ the duration of the transit, 🧳 the need to change airports, and 🌍 the nationality of the passenger.
Australia has strict rules: all passengers must have a valid visa or authorization to transit, except in certain specific cases covered by the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) scheme.
Transit Without Visa (TWOV) is an exemption that allows certain travellers to transit without a visa, provided they meet several criteria:
💡 Good to know: TWOV is generally valid at major airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide).
However, as soon as you have to collect your luggage or go through customs, you lose this right — a transit visa (subclass 771) or an eVisitor / eTA then becomes required.
A visa is required in all of the following cases:
- ⏰ Your stopover exceeds 8 hours.
- 🛫 You need to change airports (e.g. between a domestic and international terminal).
- 🚶 You wish to leave the international zone to visit or spend the night in a hotel.
- 📦 You need to collect your luggage or re-check in for a flight.
- 🌍 Your country is not eligible for the TWOV programme.
In these situations:
➡️ If your stay is less than 72 hours, opt for the Transit Visa (subclass 771).
➡️ If you wish to explore Australia, apply for an eVisitor (subclass 651) or an eTA (subclass 601) depending on your nationality.
🎯 In summary: a visa is required as soon as you plan to enter Australian territory, even temporarily.
The rules vary depending on the country of your passport:
⚠️ Please note: airlines always check for a valid visa before boarding. If you do not have one, they may reject you access to the flight.
If you do not meet the conditions for visa-free transit, there are several options available. Australia offers three types of visas depending on your situation: the Transit Visa (771), the eVisitor (651) and the eTA (601).
Here's how to tell them apart 👇
The Transit Visa 771 is the official visa for short stopovers. It allows you to stay up to 72 hours in Australia before continuing on an international flight.
🔹 Advantages:
📅 Conditions:
🚫 Limitation: does not allow for tourist or professional activities.
The eVisitor visa is intended for citizens of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and a few other European countries. It allows you to stay for up to 3 months per visit, over a period of one year, for tourism or business.
💡 Tip: if you have a European passport and a stopover of more than 8 hours, the eVisitor is the simplest and quickest solution.
The Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) is similar to the eVisitor, but applies to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Singapore. It also allows stays of up to 3 months per visit over a period of one year.
🧾 Advantage: ideal for stopovers where you want to leave the airport or visit the city briefly.
| Type of Visa | Eligible Nationalities | Maximum Stay | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Visa (771) | All nationalities eligible for transit | 72 hours | Short stopover or direct transit |
| eVisitor (651) | Europe, United Kingdom, Switzerland | 90 days | Tourism or longer stopover |
| eTA (601) | USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, etc. | 90 days | Stopover or short stay |
💡 In short:
- Stopover < 8 hours without leaving the airport → no visa (TWOV).
- Stopover ≤ 72 hours → Transit Visa 771.
- Stopover > 72 hours or with a visit → eVisitor / eTA.
Applying for a transit visa for Australia is a simple but essential step to ensure a smooth passage through the airport.
Everything can be done online, whether you are applying for a Transit Visa (subclass 771), an eVisitor (subclass 651) or an eTA (subclass 601). Here are the step-by-step instructions 👇
Once you have chosen your visa, the application is 100% online.
The information requested includes:
⚠️ Important: fill in all the information exactly as it appears on your passport; a minor error (accent, date, number) can delay or invalidate the application.
💰 Australia visa price:
Once payment has been made (if applicable), your application is processed automatically. You will receive a confirmation email containing your authorization number.
No sticker will be affixed to your passport: the visa is electronically linked to your passport number.
💡 Helpful tip: print out the confirmation you receive by email. Some airlines request it before check-in or boarding.
🤝 Good to know: if you use an approved service provider, you will often benefit from personalised support:
This is an ideal option for travellers in a hurry or those who want a simple, secure and stress-free process.
⏳ The average processing time varies depending on the type of visa:
🎯 Recommendation: apply at least 10 days before your departure to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.
In the event of additional verification, Australian immigration may request additional supporting documents (tickets, proof of employment, etc.).
The requirements for entering Australia vary slightly depending on the type of visa chosen, but certain documents are essential in all cases.
🛂 Passport and validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned date of entry into Australia.
It must be the same one used for the visa application.
💡 If you renew your passport, you will need to reapply for authorization.
🎫 Confirmed ticket to a third country
The authorities require a ticket proving your departure from Australia within 72 hours of your arrival if you are travelling on a Transit Visa. This proves that you are in actual transit and not on a tourist stay. For an eVisitor or eTA, a return or multi-destination itinerary is strongly recommended.
🌍 Visa for the destination country (if applicable)
If you are continuing your journey to a country that requires an entry visa (e.g. New Zealand or Indonesia), you will need to present it when applying for an Australian visa. This confirms that you do not intend to stay in Australia beyond the authorized transit period.
🩺 Insurance and proof of funds
Even for a short stopover, it is advisable to have travel insurance covering Australia.
Some airlines or consulates may also require:
💡 These supporting documents are not systematically requested, but can speed up processing if immigration officials require further details.
Travelling via Australia is often an enjoyable experience, provided you anticipate a few key points to avoid any stress.
Before booking your flights, check the connection time carefully.
A stopover of less than 8 hours without an airport transfer does not require a visa.
However, if it exceeds this processing time, you will need to apply for authorization.
💡 Connections in Sydney or Melbourne can be long: allow at least 2 hours between two international flights.
If you remain in the international zone, you are not officially entering Australian territory. However, as soon as you leave the zone, you must have a valid visa (Transit, eVisitor or eTA).
💡 For a night in a hotel near the airport, the Transit Visa is often the best option.
If your connecting flight departs from another airport (or a different domestic terminal), you will need to go through customs and collect your luggage.
⏳ Allow at least 4 to 5 hours between flights to avoid stress.
In this case, a transit visa or eVisitor is required.
Take advantage of your layover to get a taste of Australia!
With an eVisitor or ETA, you can:
💡 Many Australian airports (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne) also offer free Wi-Fi, showers and rest areas for long layovers.
🎯 In summary:
- Check the duration and nature of your layover.
- Choose the right visa for your itinerary.
- Prepare your documents before departure.
- Plan ahead for peace of mind while travelling.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes, in most cases. You need a transit visa (subclass 771) or an electronic authorization (eVisitor / eTA) if your stopover exceeds 8 hours or if you leave the international zone. Only certain travellers can transit without a visa (TWOV), provided they remain in the transit area and depart for a third country within 8 hours.
The Transit Visa 771 is for travellers who are only making a short stopover (maximum 72 hours) before an international flight. The eVisitor 651 is for European citizens wishing to enter Australian territory for a long stopover or a short stay (up to 3 months). 👉 In summary: Transit Visa = transit only, eVisitor = stopover with exit or visit.
The Transit Visa (subclass 771) allows you to stay for up to 72 hours maximum. Beyond that, you must apply for an eVisitor (651) or an eTA (601), depending on your nationality.
No, the Transit Visa 771 is free. However, the eVisitor (651) is also free, while the eTA (601) costs around AUD 20 depending on the provider. 💡 If you go through an approved provider, service fees may be added in exchange for full assistance and data verification before submission.
Yes, but only if you have a valid visa. With a Transit Visa 771, you can leave the airport for a few hours or overnight (within the 72-hour authorization). Without a visa, you are not allowed to leave the international zone, even to go to a nearby hotel.