Business Visits - Short Stay

There are a number of visa options for business people to visit Australia for a short period to conduct business with an Australian-based organisation or to attend meetings, conferences or training programs.

Electronic Travel Authority (short validity)
The ETA is for tourist or business visits of up to 3 months. This is an authority to travel to Australia, like a visa, but no label is placed in the passport. These are available from travel agents and airlines, or applicants can apply online. The ETA is valid for 12 months and is available to passport holders from a number of specified countries.

Business Visitor (long validity ETA (subclass 956)
Similar to the ETA above but for business people who need to make regular short business visits to Australia for up to three months. This ETA may be granted for the life of your passport.

Countries Eligible for the ETA

Andorra	France	Japan	Norway	Switzerland
Austria	Germany	Liechtenstein	Portugal	Taiwan
Belgium	Greece	Luxembourg	Republic of San Marino	UK - British Citizen
Brunei	Hong Kong (SAR)	Malaysia	Singapore	UK - British National Overseas
Canada	Iceland	Malta	South Korea	USA
Denmark	Ireland	Monaco	Spain	Vatican City
Finland	Italy	The Netherlands	Sweden

Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456)
This visa is for business people who are not eligible to apply for the ETA and who intend to make short business trips to Australia for up to 3 months. This visa may be granted for single or multiple trips.

Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) visa (subclass 459)
This visa is for business people who are not eligible to apply for the ETA but have an approved sponsor in Australia. This allows short business visits to Australia of up to 3 months.

APEC business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card streamlines travel for business people from participating economies in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region. Allows fast-track immigration processing through designated APEC lanes at major international airports.