Australia is a vibrant country, gaining popularity because of its rich cultural scene and modern amenities. While Australia has always been a well-known country among locals and tourists, it has also become a digital nomad hotspot in recent years.
Australia offers a great deal to digital nomads and invites remote workers from all over the world to come and settle here. You must be wondering whether you can pursue your work here and be surrounded by top talent. In short, this country offers a range of benefits to the digital nomad community! If this place has intrigued you enough to pack your bags, keep reading this article and learn about the possible visa options.
Does Australia have a Digital Nomad Visa?
Australia does not have an official digital nomad visa as of now and it doesn’t plan on introducing one anytime soon. However, it offers several visa alternatives for remote workers and digital nomads. While these other options aren’t exactly the same, they serve similar purposes and aid the digital nomad community. Unlike typical business visas or tourist visas, they entail better terms.
Some good options include a visitor visa, an electronic travel authority (ETA), and the Evisitor visa. Much like digital nomad visas, these alternatives allow you to stay in Australia and work remotely. Hence, continuing your life as a remote worker.
Some other options include the working holiday visa or work permits, suitable for people who wish to work in the country.
Who can Apply for the Australia Digital Nomad Visa?
Each of the alternative options caters to a specific range of people as defined by the Australian government. You must fulfill the eligibility requirements to acquire an Australian digital nomad visa.
Eligibility criteria for a visitor visa:
- All nationalities
- Tourists and foreign nationals
- Individuals who are not here for business or medical purposes
- Remote worker, employed by a foreign company
- Must not be employed in Australia
Eligibility criteria for the ETA:
- Citizens of these specific countries: United States, Canada, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea
- Possession of sufficient funds
- Be a genuine visitor: on a temporary basis
- Must not be employed in Australia
Eligibility criteria for an Evisitor visa:
- Available to the citizens of the European Union
- Tourists
- visitors who are here to meet family or friends
- Business visitors
- Must not be employed in Australia
How do you apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Australia?
Since the Australia visitor visa is the most generic option, open to all nationalities, here’s a step-by-step guide for how you can apply for it.
- Create an ImmiAccount
If you are applying for an Australian digital nomad visa (visitor visa in this context) you’ll need to create an account or log in to ImmiAccount. Once you have done that, you can continue the process online.
- Gather the required documents.
Now is the time to gather all the documents required for a Digital Nomad Visa. The tentative list for the visa requirements is discussed below.
Make sure to double-check them before submitting.
- Fill out the application form.
This step includes a lot of intricate details. Hence, the necessary amount of attention should be given. You can easily get it online and fill it out.
- Submit the application
The online visa application is fairly easy and it takes you step by step. You can upload the required documents along the way and use the easy interface to apply. Make sure to arrange other documents as necessary (if you are bringing family members etc)
- Pay the visa fee
The next step would be to pay the visa application fee on the spot. You can make your payment via different means including but not limited to the following options:
- Credit card
- Union pay
- PayPal
- BPAY
- Wait for the visa
Once you have completed all the steps, you just need to sit tight and wait for the authorities to process your application. They’ll let you know whether the interview went successfully and you’ll receive your visa shortly.
How Much Does it Cost?
Australia’s new digital nomad visa; a visitor visa in this context, typically costs $150AUD per applicant (this is a non-refundable fee that is levied whether or not your visa application is approved). However, additional costs will be incurred if you need to get your documents sorted out.
Costs are bound to change if you are bringing dependents including spouses, children, and other family members.
As for the other alternatives, both the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and the Evisitor visa costs around 20 AUD.
Australia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
If you’re someone who is thinking about applying for an Australian digital nomad visa then these are the applications and documentation you should start gathering.
Required Documentation
Remember that you’ll need to arrange the following documents.
- A national identity card
- Passport holder: a valid passport that will remain as such for the entirety of your intended stay with a clear photo
- Proof of invitation: by friends, family, relatives
- Health insurance: Proof of health insurance must be provided. It should last as long as you plan to stay in Australia and it must be valid in Australia (it can be either travel or private health insurance)
- Proof that you have reason to return home: contract of employment in the home country, enrollment in school or college, etc
- Proof of financial means: this means that you have to submit documents that prove that you are self-sufficient and you can financially support yourself while staying in Australia.
You can submit the following
- Bank statements from the past 3 months
- Payslips showcasing proof of regular income and stability
- Tax records
- Credit card statements
- Audited accounts
Financial requirements
The Australian visas that offer similar benefits require you to submit proof of financial stability and fulfill minimum income requirements. In order to be deemed eligible, your bank account must have sufficient balance. The minimum requirement is AUD 6000-8000 for a visitor visa, none for ETA, and “sufficient enough to cover your stay” for an Evistor visa. The last one will be determined by the duration of your stay and plans.
Essentially, you need to prove that you can support yourself during your time in Australia.
You can submit bank statements, payslips, and income tax returns to meet the specific requirements.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Australia Digital Nomad Visa?
Digital nomads and remote workers would be happy to learn that the visa processing time for Australian digital nomad visas doesn’t take a long time. Your application will be processed within 12 to 35 days of submission and you’ll receive an answer as soon as possible. As for the application process, you can complete it within 30 minutes.
This is the standard time. However, it can change depending on the competency of the station or diplomatic mission in charge. It can also extend if your case worker or counselor finds that they need more details or documents.
Make sure to send an accurate application so it can be processed quickly.
Benefits of the Australia Digital Nomad Visa
Affordable cost of living
While Australia is not the most affordable digital nomad hotspot out there, it’s cheaper than most popular choices. You can enjoy great value for money and access a ton of modern amenities for low costs. You can live here on a tight budget and lead a high quality of life However, please note that the cost of living is defined by an individual’s spending pattern and lifestyle.
Tax exemption
Another great thing for non-residents is that they are not subject to local taxes. You can work remotely and enjoy your income. If you are visiting the country on a visitor visa, you won’t be allowed to work locally, and hence, you won’t have any taxable income. However, you’ll still be liable to the tax obligations in your home country, if that is what they require.
Fast internet
The good news for remote workers is that Australia has great internet connectivity. The internet speeds are fairly decent and perfectly suitable for remote work. The country experiences average download speeds of 161.61 Mbps which shows that digital nomads can keep a remarkable work-life balance. You can depend on Australia’s reliable internet speeds to meet last-minute deadlines and strive at work!
You can also get local SIM cards upon landing in the country. If you wish to take an extra step towards reliability then local providers are your best option. Furthermore, almost all the coffee shops, restaurants, and coworking spaces offer free and fast wifi so that’s a bonus too.
Do Digital Nomads Pay Tax in Australia?
Australia has a decent enough taxation policy that doesn’t put too much burden on remote workers. If you’re someone who is visiting on either of the options discussed above i.e. the Australia visitor visa, the Australia electronic travel authority ETA, or the Australian Evisitor visa, you will not be required to pay any taxes.
Renew Digital Nomad Visa Australia
Unfortunately, the types of visas discussed above are not open to extension. These are temporary visas, offered to remote workers who want to visit Australia casually. Once your chosen visa has expired, you’ll need to apply for another one.
Hence, this isn’t the best option if you are seeking permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, all nationalities except New Zealand require a visa for Australia. EU citizens can get an ETA visa to travel to Australia and enjoy their stay.
How long does a visitor visa last in Australia?
A subclass 600 visitor visa can last for 3, 6, or even 12 months depending on the visa applicant’s specific circumstances.
Can digital nomads work remotely in Australia?
Even though Australia doesn’t have a digital nomad visa, remote workers can explore alternative options and enjoy similar benefits.
What is the easiest digital Nomad visa?
Easiest digital Nomad visa:
- Czech republic
- Romania
- Costa Rica
- Cayman Islands
- Croatia
- Malta
- Sri Lanka
- Greece
- Norway
- Spain
- Hungary
Can I apply for an Australian visitor Visa while you’re already in the territory?
No, you must complete the application process in your country of residence and acquire the visa before traveling to Australia.
Final Thoughts
Australia is a metropolitan country, perfect for digital nomads and remote workers. This beautiful country has everything that a digital nomad could possibly need. With its affordable cost of living, bustling nightlife, and fast internet, it caters to the digital nomad lifestyle. While Australia doesn’t provide the same experience as other major cities, it’s pretty close!
This article discussed the Australia digital nomad visa program and the process that concerns it. We hope it answered all your questions, provided detailed information, and helped you evaluate the visa policy of this country. If you have any further queries, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to help.
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