French need an entry visa for Australia?!

Hey guys,
I must be way out of the loop, because I thought that all members of the EU could enter Oz the same as we can enter the EU.. as a tourist for 90 days with no visa...
But reading up, I am seeing this ETA visitor visa thing?
I am an Aussie planning a trip home with my frenchie, in 4 weeks! Glad I found out about this in time!
Anyone confirm this is true? I've been looking on the Aussie ETA website to apply online, and it seems simple enough. Just want to double check its needed..
Bit unfair to them hey?
Cheers

NZ is the only country that requires no prior paperwork. Yes, the French like GB require an ETA. The french at first pulled reciprocal relationships over it but now accept its the same as visa free.

She needs a tourist visa, yes. See this specific page from the Department of Immigration web site.

Countries in the EU don't just let people in - when you arrive in the country they issue a visa (stamp) to you on your passport most of the time - otherwise your entry date is recorded electronically during your immigration. Although travel between EU countries is a bit different due to the open border policy.

I suppose the Australian government wants to ensure you have one before you arrive, plenty of other countries do it but unlike some (like Russia) it's very easy to get the ETA. The visa is free, however there's a $20 processing fee... so it's sorta not free! ; )

Cheers

info seems a bit old on here. Long ago there was an in passport visa which was quite large.
I just went to the travel agent and it is now a piece of paper that you print off the net which sets a valid time from 1 year from entry. I am Canadian btw

#3? That is exactly what scaryant said.

Everyone (except New Zealanders) wanting to travel to Australia needs a piece of immigration formality prior to departure. You won't even get on the plane unless you have it; the airlines won;t carry you because they risk the prospect of having to carry you back to your starting point if you were refused entry.

scary provided the link - just do what it says there. Don't understand what #3 means about info "on here" being a bit old. On the immi website? No - it's up to date; on Thorn Tree - no, it's accurate as well.

Yeah i was also suprised to learn that we don't let anyone in without a visa- except kiwis - even brits.

#6 it's a big place.. and sunny.. must be a pain trying to make people leave again :-)

Go to Italy on anything other than a Euro passport, and not only is your passport scrutinised when you get there, but your stays are registered with the police. Hotels have to keep registers, record your passport number yadda yadda. Even if you stay longer than a week in aprivate home they are supposed to inform the local carabinieri.

A few years ago we stayed with friends near Florence for a week, and after 3 days our friend was approached by the local carabinieri and asked how long their visitors were staying, who we were etc. Our friend assured them we have Italian citizenship. Even in hotels our Italian passport details are always recorded. People notice. In Australia there's no requirement for that kind of surveillance.

Turn up in the UK and your passport is scanned so you are registered on the system. You are also grilled about where you are staying, what you are doing there etc. Australians can be, and are, routinely turned away at the border if the Immigration officer is not satisford you are there for the purpose you say you are.

A teacher colleague's daughter was turned back to Australia when her bag was inspected and they found a wedding dress in it. She was transiting the UK on her way to Ireland where she was to be married. However, her fiancee was meeting her in London. Because Irish citizens have right to live in the UK, British Immi were not convinced they intended to travel on to Ireland, so they refused to allow the Aussie woman to enter, and she was put on the next plane back to Sydney. True!

Yeah i was also suprised to learn that we don't let anyone in without a visa- except kiwis - even brits.

I can't believe this view of British entitlement to enter my country still exists. Why would Brits have any more rights than any other nationality seeking to enter Australia? Because they invaded it 250 years ago?

And at Brunei they take your photo when entering. Obviously kept on some file as on departure, there it is again.

They take your mug shot in a number of places now on arrival, including Thailand, Hong Kong and China. The USA takes your photo and your finger prints (index finger, both hands from memory).

It's pleasing to see the ETA is free though. (apart from a mysterious $20 service fee).

Its a laugh what you ASSUME, OP...

Just try your Malarkey and see what happens!!!

I can't believe this view of British entitlement to enter my country still exists.

It wouldn't be that wild an assumption to make, considering the historic (and current) links between the two countries.

Quite a few Australians assume that entry into and residency/citizenship are easier for me because I'm British.

Does Betty Windsor need an ETA?

{quote:title=ColinP wrote:}{quote}
Does Betty Windsor need an ETA?

I think she has dual citizenship, so wouldn't.

Didn't he hubby the crazy one, father of big ears, go mad once at having to go through quarantine.

Betty Windsor doesnt actually have a passport I don't think. I remember reading it somewhere that as the Monarch, she doesnt possess one because of the wording of the passport. Something like "the Queen of the United Kingdom requests the the possessor of this passport be blah blah blah"; and as such, being the aforementioned Queen, she needs no passport.

At any rate, even if she did, she'd get an ultra-Diplomatic passport; which opens doors your common-or-garden variety travel documents can't.

Yeh I am fully aware if the UKs annoying immigration as I have been denied entry before because they believed I wanted to stay 12 months, when I had a return flight 4 months later.
I don't mind at all making the brits get a visa to come in.
It was just a surprise to me as I assumed i guess that the no visa tourist was a reciprocal arrangement.
Thanks for the answers

Recriprocal in many ways, yes, ie, both French and Aussies can work as WHV holders in either country..., but Australia is very very very very very very very tight about who it allows into the country.

As soon as you check in for your flight from say, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, or Bali Denpasar (Jetstar), or any other airport with flight links directly to Aust, your records are commenced to be checked.

Even if you hold an ETA or WHV, and if your records come up that you are of not good character, it will be flagged.

So, if your other half has an ETA or WHV, don't assume they will get an easy ride into Aust, (if they have done something iffy and if a record exist of this "iffyness").

There a special visa for the Royal family called a Special Purpose visa ... I don't think the Royals actually have to descend to handing over their passports though ... they are deemed to hold the special purpose visa.

The point is that entry to the UK (or France) for Australians isn't visa-free.
It's just that the visa is granted on entry, though not automatically, as many deportees have discovered.

In the case of Europeans entering Australia, the visa must be obtained before embarkation, which must cut down considerably on deportation costs