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Travel and moving abroad

United States to Australia: visa and entry requirements

United States passport holders visiting Australia as tourists: electronic travel authorization for up to 90 days. What to get, how and when to apply, the documents, and the official links — checked 5 November 2026.

Rules checked against official government pages

Entry for tourists

🇺🇸 United States passport → 🇦🇺 Australia · tourism
Electronic travel authorization

These passports can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) in the Australian ETA app (AUD 20 service charge) for tourism or business visitor activity, including unpaid attendance at conferences. Stay up to 3 months per visit. Taiwan official or diplomatic passports are excluded; UK British Citizen and BN(O) passports are also ETA-eligible but are listed under the eVisitor rule.

Longest stay: 90 days per visit.

What to get before you go

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

  1. Download the Australian ETA app on a phone with a camera, NFC and location services turned on.
  2. Scan your passport to pre-fill your details.
  3. Take a photo of yourself.
  4. Answer the questions (including criminal convictions and contact details in Australia).
  5. Pay the AUD 20 service charge.
  6. Wait for the outcome by email; check status in the app or with Check an ETA.
Apply
Australian ETA app (Home Affairs ETA page)
Government fee
A$20.00 (Service charge for using the Australian ETA app; there is no other charge.)
Processing
In most cases the result is given immediately; the High Commission in Malaysia says to expect an outcome email within 72 hours, and longer if further information is requested.
Validity
Multiple entries within 12 months from grant or the life of the passport, whichever is shorter; stay up to 3 months each visit. A new passport needs a new ETA.

Documents

  • Valid passport: A current, valid passport (or travel document) - the one your visa or ETA is electronically linked to - plus any expired passports linked to your visa. When: On arrival in Australia.
  • Incoming Passenger Card: The Incoming Passenger Card you complete and show on arrival. When: On arrival in Australia.
  • Cash declaration (AUD 10,000 or more): A declaration of cash you carry if it totals AUD 10,000 or more. When: On arrival in Australia.
  • Health requirement: Meeting Australia's health requirement; you may be asked to have health examinations. When: During the visa application.
  • Character requirement: Declaring all criminal conduct; you may be asked for a police certificate or character forms. When: When you apply, and after if asked.

What a day costs

Government travel allowance for Canberra: up to US$202 a night for a hotel room and US$115 a day for meals and incidentals.

An estimate, not a price: it is what a government pays its own staff there (US Department of State, in effect from 1 March 2026). Add the government fees above, your flights and insurance. The planner works out a full budget for your dates and city.

Local laws for visitors

  • Staying too long: If you overstay your visa by more than 28 days, you may be banned from being granted another Australian visa (an exclusion period). An exclusion period may last up to 3 years, and some people can be permanently excluded. (official page)
  • Extending your stay: To stay longer in Australia you must apply for a new visa. You cannot apply for a new visa in Australia if your visa has a condition that prevents further stay. (official page)
  • Working as a visitor: On an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651) you must not work in Australia, other than by engaging in a business visitor activity. (official page)
  • Cash you carry: You may bring any amount of cash into Australia, but you must declare it if you are carrying AUD10,000 or more. (official page)
  • Banned and restricted goods: Some goods may never be brought into Australia, and most other prohibited goods need written permission. Bringing in prohibited goods without the required permission can lead to the goods being seized and penalties of up to 2,500 penalty units or 10 years imprisonment, or both. (official page)
  • Banned and restricted goods: Arriving by plane, you must declare food on your Incoming Passenger Card. Certain food items must be declared even in small amounts or as cooking ingredients, and biosecurity officers may inspect them. (official page)
  • Alcohol and tobacco: Travellers aged 18 or over may bring 2.25 litres of alcohol and 25 cigarettes or 25g tobacco duty free. Travellers under 18 have no duty-free allowance for alcohol or tobacco. If you go over an allowance, duty and tax apply to all items of that type, not just the amount over the limit. (official page)
  • Driving: In New South Wales, tourists and temporary overseas visitors can drive on a current overseas licence for up to six months. If the licence is not in English, you must also carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit. (official page)
  • Emergency numbers: Call Triple Zero (000) for police, fire or ambulance in an emergency. Calls are free from mobile phones, landlines and pay phones. (official page)

Official links

Destinations covered so far

We publish a destination only after its entry rules have been read on the government’s own pages, quoted word for word and checked. Covered now: 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States. Every other destination answers “verification required” with no guess.

Popular routes

Frequently asked questions

Do United States citizens need a visa for Australia?

For tourism on a United States passport: Electronic travel authorization. These passports can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) in the Australian ETA app (AUD 20 service charge) for tourism or business visitor activity, including unpaid attendance at conferences. Stay up to 3 months per visit. Taiwan official or diplomatic passports are excluded; UK British Citizen and BN(O) passports are also ETA-eligible but are listed under the eVisitor rule.

How long can a United States passport holder stay in Australia?

Up to 90 days per visit, under the rule quoted on this page. Up to 3 months each visit, multiple visits within 12 months.

How much does the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) cost, and how long does it take?

Government fee: A$20.00 (Service charge for using the Australian ETA app; there is no other charge.). Processing: In most cases the result is given immediately; the High Commission in Malaysia says to expect an outcome email within 72 hours, and longer if further information is requested..

Does it matter where I live or which other passports I hold?

The answer above is for a United States passport. Some exceptions depend on residence or on visas you already hold; the planner applies them where Australia’s official rules state them.

For planning only. Requirements change, and the decision to issue a visa or let you in belongs to the authorities. Confirm on the official links before you travel.

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