Australia's Department of Home Affairs has officially released the list of 36 countries whose citizens are eligible for the free eVisitor visa (subclass 651). The list includes only European nations, and no African country is featured.
What Is the eVisitor Visa and Who Qualifies?
The eVisitor visa allows eligible passport holders to visit Australia multiple times within a 12-month period, with each stay capped at three months. The visa carries no application fee, making it one of the most accessible pathways for those who qualify.
Eligibility is restricted to citizens holding valid passports from 37 countries (the source text lists 36 countries but notes 37; the discrepancy is in the original). The full list includes Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City, and the United Kingdom (British citizens).
Special Requirements for UK and Vatican City Applicants
Applicants from the United Kingdom must hold a British Citizen passport. British National Overseas, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, and British Subject passports do not qualify for the eVisitor visa. Vatican City applicants must ensure their passport explicitly indicates nationality of the Vatican City, also known as the Holy See. The visa cannot be obtained using a non-citizen passport, a certificate of identity, or any other travel document, including a Titre de Voyage.
Impact on African Travellers
The absence of any African country from the eligibility list means that nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and every other African nation cannot access the eVisitor route. Travellers from these countries are required to pursue alternative, typically more costly and time-intensive, visa pathways to visit Australia.
The eVisitor visa is processed online, and Australia's immigration authority advises applicants to consult the official visa processing time guide tool for an indication of how long decisions are currently taking. The tool reflects recently decided applications and is not a guarantee for individual cases.
Legit.ng has also published residency years for foreigners who want to become Qatari citizens. Australia's Department of Home Affairs outlined the residence requirement foreigners must meet before applying for citizenship. Applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a number of years before the date they apply for citizenship. The rules also specify how much time applicants are allowed to have spent outside Australia during that period.
