eTA or eVisitor visa for Australia rejected: What to do?

Have you applied for an eVisitor or eTA visa for Australia online and just received an email saying that your application has been rejected? In most cases, you will not be able to find out the details of the reason for the refusal, nor will the email tell you what you can do to maintain your travel plans to Australia. We suggest you find out here what to do if you are refused an eVisitor or eTA for Australia, the possible reasons for this refusal and the possible remedies.

eTA or eVisitor visa refusal in Australia: Key points

• The eTA or eVisitor visa may be rejected if the traveller does not meet the eligibility requirements.
• If the eTA or eVisitor visa is rejected due to an error, it is possible to re-apply.
• It is possible to apply for a regular visa if the eTA or eVisitor has been rejected because of the purpose of the trip or the nationality of the applicant
• Using a private service provider can help you avoid errors leading to eTA or eVisitor visas being rejected.

Why is an eVisitor visa or eTA rejected?

When you apply for an eVisitor or eTA electronic visa online, your application is transferred to the Australian authorities, who review it in detail and decide whether or not to grant it. There are many reasons for refusal of this application, including

• An intended stay of more than 90 consecutive days. The eVisitor or eTA procedure only applies to stays of less than 3 months on Australian soil. If you wish to stay longer in this country, there are more appropriate classic visas.
• An incompatible health condition. The Australian government does not allow certain travellers with certain diseases, such as tuberculosis, to enter the country.
• A previous criminal conviction. If you have a criminal conviction with a period of incarceration of more than 12 months, whether or not you have served it, you cannot get an eVisitor either.
• Consider working in Australia. Finally, if you wish to work in Australia and for an Australian employer during your stay, you will not be able to take advantage of this system either.

What can I do if my eVisitor or eTA is rejected?

If the reason for refusal of your Australian eTA or eVisitor visa is one of the reasons listed above, you will not be able to reapply for eVisitor.

In some situations, however, you may be able to go through a specific visa application procedure and still travel to Australia. This mainly concerns refusals for work in the country or for stays of more than 3 months. The visa application is made at the Australian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You will have to fill in a file and attach certain supporting documents depending on the type of visa requested.

Finally, it may also happen that your eVisitor or eTA visa is refused simply because you made a mistake when filling in the online form. In this case, you will unfortunately not be able to change it, but you will be able to reapply within 10 days of being notified of the refusal.

Preventing refusals: Optimising your Australian eVisitor or eTA application from the outset

Obtaining travel authorisation for Australia, whether an eVisitor (for European Union citizens) or an eTA (for other eligible nationalities), may seem straightforward. However, applications can be rejected for a variety of reasons, many of which are avoidable. Here is some practical advice on how to optimise your application and minimise the risk of it being rejected.

1. Check eligibility and choose the right visa

Before you even start, make sure that the eVisitor or eTA is the right visa for your situation. These authorisations are only for travellers wishing to stay in Australia for a limited period (generally three months maximum) for tourism, family or professional purposes without gainful employment. If you plan to work, study or stay longer, you will need another type of visa.

2. Provide accurate and consistent information

One of the major causes of rejected applications is inconsistent or inaccurate information. Be accurate and honest when answering questions about your personal, professional and financial situation. For example

• Always give consistent dates for previous trips.
• Give full details if you have been rejected or expelled from another country in the past.

An error, even an unintentional one, may be perceived as an attempt at fraud by the Australian authorities.

3. Make sure you comply with health requirements

Australia attaches great importance to public health. You will need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions that could incur significant medical costs for the Australian health system. If you suffer from a chronic or transmissible disease, be sure to include a medical certificate explaining your situation.

4. Provide solid proof of solvency and return to your country of origin

The authorities want to be sure that you have no intention of staying illegally. To do this:

• Financial evidence: Provide recent bank statements showing that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Australia.
• Links with your country of origin: Add documents showing that you have reasons to return, such as proof of employment, school enrolment or proof of property ownership.

5. Avoid technical errors when submitting your application

Applications are made online, which can lead to technical errors:

• Check that all sections of the form are filled in correctly.
• Make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your trip (and at least six months beyond your date of entry).
• Scan and upload good quality documents, with no smudges or missing parts.

6. Prepare an explanatory letter if necessary

In some cases, a clear letter explaining your travel plans can help. For example, if you have special circumstances (long journey or complex family reasons), a detailed letter can reassure the authorities.

7. Have your application checked by a third party

Before submitting your application, ask a friend or professional to read it over. An outside eye can spot any mistakes you may have missed.

8. Avoid rushing to resubmit if your application is rejected

If your application has been rejected in the past, take the time to analyse the reasons and correct your file. A quick rejection could make any future application even more complicated.

Preparing an eVisitor or eTA application requires care and precision. By following this advice, you can avoid common mistakes and increase your chances of approval.

Reapplying for an Australian eVisitor or eTA visa after a refusal:

If you made a mistake when you applied for your eVisitor or eTA visa online, you can reapply after a minimum of 10 days from your rejection email. But be careful! This new application can only be approved if you really made a mistake when filling in the form.

If the refusal was based on a real fact and you are planning to cheat by filling in the form again with the wrong information, it is unlikely to work and you may even be barred from travelling to Australia for longer by simply making you ineligible for the eVisitor and eTA and the visa. The information you provide on this form must be truthful and remember that all records are routinely checked by specialist immigration officers who are used to spotting fraud.

But if the refusal is the result of a genuine mistake, for example if you have inadvertently ticked the wrong box on the form, you can reapply by following the standard procedure from the beginning. This time, remember to read over all your answers before submitting the form and paying the application fee.

Can I get a refund if my Australian visa is rejected?

As a general rule, the Department of Home Affairs in Australia does not refund the costs associated with a visa application if it is refused. This policy applies regardless of the reason for the rejected application, whether it is an administrative error or a failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

What are the alternative residence permits in case of refusal of the eVisitor or eTA?

Of course, just because you have received a negative response to your eVisitor or eTA application does not mean that you cannot travel to Australia. Indeed, if the reason for the refusal is in fact an ineligibility criterion for this scheme, there are other types of alternative residence permits that will be available to you.

This will be the case, for example, if your application has been refused because of an incompatibility with the scheme and its eligibility criteria. This concerns for example :

• Too long a stay
• A reason for travel such as work or study
• A passport of a non-eligible nationality

If your refusal is due to one of these three causes, you will have every chance of obtaining a regular visa if you apply for one.

But if the refusal is due to some other cause, such as being charged with a crime, having a viral disease or having travelled to a high-risk country, it is unlikely that you will be able to use a visa to travel to that country.

As mentioned above, the reason for the refusal of your eVisitor or eTA visa will not be communicated to you in the notification email and, before taking any further action, it is best to consider the real reason for the refusal.

Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.