Since 1994, Australia has had a universal visa policy, meaning that all non-Australian citizens entering the country require a visa. Australia's strict visa policy has not hindered the country's tourism industry. Australia's top attractions include the iconic Sydney Opera House, the stunning Great Barrier Reef and pristine Whitehaven Beach, each contributing to Australia's enduring appeal as one of the world's most popular destinations.
The purpose of the universal visa policy is to strictly control immigration, ensure national security and protect the labor market. Despite the extremely strict visa policy, the country's tourism industry is still growing strongly and attracting millions of international visitors. In 2023, the number of international visitors to Australia reached 6.6 million and is expected to increase to 7 million this year.
This country is famous for its strict visa policies that make foreigners wary.
However, there are a few exceptions, Australia's visa-free policy for New Zealand citizens, which is a notable point in Australia's immigration policy. The reason for this is because of the results of the Trans-Tasman Agreement signed in 1973 between Australia and New Zealand, which paved the way for citizens of these two countries to move freely across each other's borders without the need for a visa.
In contrast, Australian citizens enjoy the freedom of travel to 189 countries/territories around the world. They can enter these countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival (VOA). This freedom of travel is part of the Visa Waiver or Visa on Arrival (VOA) program for Australian citizens. The visa exemption for Australian citizens in many countries helps promote tourism to Australia, bringing economic benefits to the country.
Specifically, Australian passport holders can travel to 189 destinations worldwide without a visa or can apply for a visa on arrival, ranking in the top 10 most powerful passports in the world. Of these, 146 countries/territories completely exempt visas for Australian citizens.
These destinations include 50 countries in Europe; 20 destinations in the Americas and the Caribbean; 17 destinations in Africa; 14 destinations in Asia... Most recently, China has also added Australia to the visa-free list.
