Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) for US Travelers: When ETA Is Not Enough
Short answer: Australia offers a Visitor visa (subclass 600) on the Home Affairs visa listing. Many U.S. travelers on short tourism or business trips use an ETA (subclass 601) instead — United States of America is listed among ETA-eligible passports, with stay described as up to 3 months per entry. If your purpose or stay needs go beyond what an ETA covers, subclass 600 is the broader visitor pathway arranged through official DIY channels on Home Affairs. my-evisas.com does not lodge Visitor 600 applications. If a short-stay ETA fits, see the ETA guide or ETA help. Stand: 29 July 2026.
Navigation: ← Australia hub · ETA guide · ETA vs eVisitor · Start ETA help
What is Visitor visa subclass 600?
Visitor visa (subclass 600) is Australia’s visitor visa class listed by the Department of Home Affairs. It covers visitor purposes that are handled under that subclass (streams and conditions are defined on the official listing). Use it when your trip is not a fit for an ETA — for example longer stays or purposes outside ETA rules. Always read the live Home Affairs Visitor 600 page for streams, documents, and fees before you apply.
When an ETA may be enough instead
If you hold a U.S. passport and your trip is typical short tourism or business:
- Check the Australia ETA guide first
- Home Affairs lists United States of America among ETA-eligible passports
- ETA stay is described as up to 3 months each time you enter Australia
Confused by eVisitor naming? See ETA vs eVisitor.
How to apply — official DIY
- Open the Home Affairs listing: Visitor visa (subclass 600).
- Choose the stream that matches your purpose and follow the official ImmiAccount / lodgement instructions on that page.
- Confirm fees, biometrics, and processing information only from Home Affairs — do not rely on blog fee tables.
- Do not treat a third-party site as the government lodgement channel for subclass 600.
my-evisas.com does not provide Visitor 600 filing.
FAQ
Do US citizens need subclass 600 for every trip?
No. Many short trips use an ETA (601) when eligible. Use 600 when ETA does not fit your purpose or stay. Start with the Australia hub decision table.
ETA vs Visitor visa 600 — which should I choose?
ETA is the common electronic short-stay path for eligible U.S. passports. Subclass 600 is the broader visitor visa when you need that class’s streams/conditions. Compare your itinerary against Home Affairs — then follow the matching official channel.
Can my-evisas.com apply for my Visitor 600?
No. Visitor 600 is official DIY only on this site. For ETA help (when ETA fits), use my-evisas.com/visas/australia.
How my-evisas.com can help
- Not provided: Visitor visa subclass 600 lodgement, sticker/consulate paths, WHV, student, or embassy appointments
- Provided (if ETA fits): Australia ETA application help → my-evisas.com/visas/australia
my-evisas.com is a private company, not a government website and not affiliated with the Australian Government.
Sources
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — Visitor visa (subclass 600) (accessed 2026-07-29)
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) (accessed 2026-07-29)
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate. Rules and fees can change; confirm details on official channels such as the Australian Department of Home Affairs before you travel.
As of: 29 July 2026
Binding information: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601