Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. They often need you to get a visa before letting you enter.
This page provides general information only. We can't provide specific details about the kind of visa you'll need or which rules apply to you.
It's your responsibility to make sure you have the right visa. Visa rules can change at short notice. Contact the embassy or consulate of the country you'll be visiting for advice specific to your needs.
This page is for Australians looking for information about visas for overseas travel. If you're planning to visit Australia, see getting an Australian visa.
Read this page to learn about:
Types of visas
Types of visas include:
- transit visas, if you're just passing through
- visitor or short-stay visas, usually for tourism, business, study or volunteering
- long-stay or immigrant visas, if you're going overseas to live or work.
Within each type, there are usually many variations. The specific visa you need depends on the nationalities you hold and the activities you plan to do there.
For example, a country may have a general tourist visa that covers most short-term visitors who want to see the sights. They may also have a series of tourist visas for specific activities. This could include yoga, Hajj, medical tourism or working holidays.
To find out which visa you need, ask an authority from your destination. Contact their embassy or consulate in Australia.
How to get a visa
Each country decides its process for visa applications and approvals. To find information:
- check the travel advisories for all destinations you'll travel to or through. Some provide basic visa information.
- visit the websites for your destinations' embassies or consulates in Australia
- visit your destinations' official immigration websites
- talk to an authorised commercial service.
Read and understand all conditions on your visa. You're breaking the local law if you get the wrong visa or breach your conditions. You could be arrested or jailed.
Visa on arrival
Some countries grant short-term visitor visas on arrival. This means you may not need to get it before you arrive.
A visa on arrival is not the same as visa-free travel. The authority at the border still issues you a visa. They may give it electronically or in your passport as a stamp, sticker or attachment.
Applying for a visa directly or online
You may need to apply for a visa directly with your destination's authority. You can apply through one of their embassies or consulates for some countries. They may ask you to apply in person, by mail or online.
Some ask you to give your passport to their officials for processing. This could take some time. In the meantime, you won't have your passport and can't travel anywhere else. Don't leave your application to the last minute.
Applying for a visa through commercial visa services
Some governments authorise commercial services to arrange visas on their behalf.
Check the government authority for their visa application process. Make sure any commercial service is authorised and legitimate. Don't get scammed.
If they are legitimate, compare their costs to the government option. Some charge more to make a profit. Don't get tricked into using a commercial visa service if you don't need to.
Avoiding visa scams
Watch out for visa scams. Some illegal operators take your money and give you a fake visa.
A fake visa won't be recognised when you arrive. In some cases, you might be able to buy a real visa at the airport. You'll just lose the money you paid. In other cases, you could be accused of trying to enter the country illegally. You could be arrested or jailed.
Learn how to spot a visa scam from IDCare.
Visa-free entry
You may not need a visa to visit some countries for certain types of travel. This includes:
- European countries in the Schengen area
- destinations with visa waiver agreements.
Schengen area
The Schengen area is made up of 26 European countries that have common border rules. This means you may not have to get a visa to visit short-term. There's a limit on the number of days you can visit.
Most travellers in the Schengen area can move freely between member countries. They don't have to get separate visas for each country.
Special visa rules apply in the Schengen area. See our advice about travelling in the Schengen area.
Visa waiver agreements
Australia has agreements with some countries to waive some visa requirements. This means you may not have to get a visa for short visits as a tourist. You can enter and travel freely on your Australian passport. Read more advice about visa waiver agreements.
Consequences of breaching your visa
You could face consequences if you have visa problems. This includes getting the wrong visa or breaching your visa conditions. Even if you didn't mean to make a mistake.
Consequences can include:
- jail
- fines
- deportation.
The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help Australians overseas. We can't tell you what visa to get. We can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
It's your responsibility to stay within the law when you're overseas. This includes making sure you've got the correct visa.
Learn what we can and can't do for Australians overseas. Read the Consular Services Charter.
Read more
- Each country decides its visa requirements. See general entry and exit information in the travel advisories for your destinations.
- Read about getting or renewing a passport.
- If you travel on the wrong visa, you could get arrested or jailed.
- Learn what we can and can't do for Australians overseas. Read the Consular Services Charter.
See also
- Visa requirements can change suddenly. Before you go, contact your destination's embassy or consulate in Australia for current information.
- If you're a foreign national coming to Australia, see getting an Australian visa.