Most UAE residents visiting Australia need a Visitor visa (subclass 600). You apply online through ImmiAccount from outside Australia, and it costs from AUD 250 per applicant. Australia generally grants a 3-month stay, and up to 12 months in some cases. There is no embassy appointment, but you may be asked to give biometrics at a collection center in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Passport holders from 33 countries and territories, including the UK, US, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia, can use the cheaper ETA app instead, and many Europeans qualify for a free eVisitor.
This guide covers which of the three visas fits your passport, the documents Australia expects, the cost, biometrics in the UAE, and what happens after you apply.
Key Takeaways
- Your passport decides which visa you use. A UAE residence visa does not change it.
- Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, Emirati and most other passport holders in the UAE apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream, from AUD 250.
- UK, US, Canadian, Japanese, Singaporean, Malaysian and some European passport holders use the ETA (subclass 601) through the Australian ETA app. The only charge is an AUD 20 service charge.
- Many European passport holders can get a free eVisitor (subclass 651).
- You must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is decided.
- If you are asked for biometrics, there are Australian Biometric Collection Centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Each family member needs a separate application, but you should submit them together.
Which Australian Visa Do You Need?
| Visa | Who can use it | Cost | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETA (subclass 601) | Passports on the ETA list, including the UK (British Citizen and BN(O)), US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many Western European countries | AUD 20 app service charge, no other charge | Up to 3 months each visit, within 12 months |
| eVisitor (subclass 651) | Many European passport holders | Free | Up to 3 months each visit |
| Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream | Everyone else, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the UAE | From AUD 250 | Usually 3 months, up to 12 months |
The Department of Home Affairs publishes the full ETA passport list and the AUD 20 charge, the eVisitor terms, and the Visitor visa terms. The UAE is not on the ETA list, so Emirati citizens apply for the subclass 600. You cannot use an ETA with a non-citizen passport or a travel document such as a Titre de Voyage. New Zealand runs a separate system; see our guide to the New Zealand visa for UAE residents.
The rest of this guide covers the subclass 600, which is the visa most UAE residents need.
What the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Allows
- Tourism, a holiday or a cruise, and visiting family or friends.
- Study or training for up to 3 months.
- No paid work. Some volunteer work is allowed.
Home Affairs decides the length of stay case by case. It says it generally grants 3 months, may grant up to 12 months, and may not grant the stay you asked for. The visa can be single or multiple entry, and you check which in VEVO or your grant letter. Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents can be granted a visa valid for longer than 12 months, but cannot stay more than 12 months in any 18-month period.
You cannot extend the visa from inside Australia. To stay longer you must apply for a new visa, and only if your visa does not carry condition 8503 (No Further Stay).
Documents to Upload
Home Affairs lists these for the Tourist stream applied for outside Australia:
- Identity: your passport pages showing your photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates, plus a national identity card if you have one and proof of any change of name.
- Proof of funds: for example itemized personal bank statements for 3 months, pay slips, tax records, term deposits or credit card statements. If someone in Australia is paying, include proof of their funds.
- Invitation letter from a relative or friend in Australia, if you are visiting someone, stating your relationship, the purpose and length of the visit, and whether you will stay with them.
- Reasons to return: for example an employer letter confirming you will return to your job, proof of study, immediate family at home, or property you own.
- Character documents: military service records if applicable. A police certificate may be requested.
- For applicants under 18: a birth certificate naming both parents, and Form 1229 consent from any parent not traveling. Add Form 1257 if the child is not staying with a relative or guardian.
For UAE residents, a copy of your residence visa or Emirates ID and a salary or employment letter from your UAE employer are the usual way to show your ties and funds. This is our practical suggestion rather than an official requirement. Translate any document that is not in English. Translators outside Australia do not need to be accredited, but each translation must include the translator’s name, address, phone number and language qualifications. Scan all documents in color. Home Affairs says it may decide your application without asking for more information, so upload everything at the start.
Cost
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (subclass 600), per applicant | From AUD 250 |
| ETA (subclass 601) | AUD 20 app service charge |
| eVisitor (subclass 651) | Free |
| Health checks, police certificates, biometrics | Extra, only if required |
Home Affairs says the “from” price can be checked for your case in its Visa Pricing Estimator, which does not include the extra costs. Your application is not processed until the fee is paid.
How to Apply From the UAE
- Check your passport. If you are getting a new passport, do it before you apply.
- Create or log in to ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website.
- Complete the application and attach your documents. Submit family members’ applications together.
- Pay the fee online.
- Give biometrics or have health checks if asked. Home Affairs will tell you if you need them.
- Wait for the decision outside Australia. Do not book travel until you have the grant in writing.
If you get help, Home Affairs says only a registered migration agent, a legal practitioner or an exempt person can give immigration assistance. Check their registration before you pay anyone.
Biometrics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
If Home Affairs asks for your fingerprints and photo, you give them at an Australian Biometric Collection Centre. Its biometrics page lists collection centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so you do not need to leave the UAE.
Processing Time
Home Affairs does not publish a fixed time. Its visa processing time guide shows how long recently decided applications took, but is not specific to yours. Apply well ahead of your trip, and allow extra time if you may be asked for biometrics or a health check.
Your visa is linked to your passport digitally, so no label goes in your passport. If your visa is refused, Home Affairs tells you why in writing and whether you have a right to a review.
Arriving in Australia
- Everyone arriving completes an Incoming Passenger Card.
- Australia strongly recommends health insurance for visitors, because you pay your own medical costs. Some visas carry condition 8501, which requires it.
- A round-trip cruise counts as time in Australia and does not reset your stay period.
Before You Travel
- Make sure nothing in the UAE stops you leaving by checking your UAE travel ban status online.
- Planning to drive? See our guide to the international driving permit in the UAE.
- Australians living in the UAE have different questions about tax and HELP debt, covered in our guide for Australians in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Australian visitor visa from Dubai?
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) costs from AUD 250 per applicant. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics cost extra if you are asked for them.
Do Indians in the UAE need a visa for Australia?
Yes. India is not on the ETA or eVisitor lists, so Indian passport holders in the UAE apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) through ImmiAccount.
Do Emiratis need a visa for Australia?
Yes. The UAE is not on the ETA passport list, so Emirati citizens apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600).
Where do I give biometrics for an Australian visa in the UAE?
At an Australian Biometric Collection Centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but only if Home Affairs asks you to.
How long can I stay on an Australian visitor visa?
Home Affairs usually grants 3 months and can grant up to 12 months. The stay period is on your grant letter and in VEVO.
Can I apply for an Australian visa at the embassy in Abu Dhabi?
Visitor visas are applied for online through ImmiAccount, not at the embassy.
Can British expats in Dubai use the ETA?
Yes. British Citizen and British National (Overseas) passports are on the ETA list. You apply in the Australian ETA app and pay an AUD 20 service charge.
Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?
No. The Visitor visa does not allow paid work, although some volunteer work is permitted.
Official Sources
- Department of Home Affairs: Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
- Department of Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
- Department of Home Affairs: eVisitor (subclass 651)
- Department of Home Affairs: Biometrics
- Department of Home Affairs: Visa processing times
Visa types, costs, documents and biometric locations checked on the Department of Home Affairs website in October 2026.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Australian visa rules and charges are set by the Australian Government and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.
