Business Short Stay (Subclass 456), eVisitor (e651), ETA Business Entrant (Subclasses 956 & 977)

Who is this visa for?

These visa types are designed for business people who are outside of Australia and want to visit Australia for a short-term business purpose including:

• attending educational or business related meetings, seminars, conventions, conferences or networking
• informal studies or training

Work is generally not permitted but there is some provision to engage in limited work, if for example it is highly specialized, non-ongoing (usually less than six weeks), and cannot be carried out by an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.

No sponsorship is required for these visas.

What is the difference between these subclasses?

ETA (Business Entrant - Short Validity) subclass 977

Allows for up to three months stay on each visit within a 12-month period from the date of grant, or for the validity of the passport if it is less than 12 months (single or multiple entry).

ETA (Business Entrant - Long Validity) subclass 956

Allows for up to three months stay on each visit for the validity of the passport (multiple entry).

Business Short Stay Visa Subclass 456

Allows business visitors who are not eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or an eVisitor to lodge a hard copy application to stay three months on each visit within a 12 month period from the date of grant, or for the validity of the passport if it is less than 12 months (single or multiple entry).

How to apply

eVisitor (e651) and ETA Business Entrant (Subclasses 956 & 977) application

To be eligible for an e651 or ETA Business Entrant (Subclasses 956 & 977) visa, the applicant must:

• be outside Australia
• hold a citizenship passport of an ETA eligible country

Applications can be lodged by the visitor:

• online via the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (e651 & ETA 977)
• through a travel agent, airline or specialist service provider arranging an ETA on the visitor’s behalf
• at an Australian visa office outside Australia

Note: Visitors cannot apply online for ETA (Business Entrant – Long Validity) Subclass 956

The visitor must meet certain health requirements, character requirements and financial requirements.

The visitor must have adequate private medical and hospital health insurance for themselves and any secondary applicants for the duration of their visit to Australia. This requirement may not apply if their country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, and they are enrolled with Medicare.

The applicant must have enough funds to support themselves and any dependants (if applicable) during their stay in Australia. DIAC may request evidence such as bank statements.

It is advised that an application for an ETA visa be made at least two (2) weeks before the proposed date of travel.

Visitors entering on an e651 or ETA 956/977 will be vetted upon landing in Australia and should refer to the purpose of visit as outlined in the letter of invitation and bring any supporting documentation with them.

Should the applicant not hold a citizenship passport that is on the list, an application for a Business Short Stay Subclass 456 visa will be required.

Business Short Stay Visa Subclass 456 application

Applications can be for a period up to 90 days (as outlined in the letter of invitation) and will cost $120.

Applications must be submitted using an Application for a Business (Short Stay) visa (for a stay of up to 3 months) form 456 [pdf]

The visitor must meet certain health requirements, character requirements and financial requirements.

More detail is required up front for the 456 visa than the e651 or the ETA956/977. The vetting process is conducted before the visa is granted therefore there is less chance of the visitor being rejected upon arrival.

Note: The Business Short Stay 456 visa is not appropriate for people wishing to travel to Australia to apply for a Temporary Business (Long Stay) 457 visa. This is a direct contravention of the DIAC’s condition 8112 outlining the limited work capacity of the 456 visa.

Extending stay

An ETA cannot be granted while the holder is in Australia and an ETA cannot be extended after arrival in Australia. If the applicant needs to stay longer than 3 months for business reasons, the applicant should consider another visa option.

More information

• Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC): ETA (Business Entrant) (Subclass 956 and 977)
• Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC): Business (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 456)

Note: Migration legislation is updated regularly. Consequently this information is subject to change.

Related procedures