I got a misdemeanor in the USA, but it was expunged, so do I need to disclose my record when I apply for a visa to Australis.
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What is an ETA?
www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAAus2En.html
If you are planning a holiday visit or a short business trip to Australia, you will need to apply for either a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). An ETA will let you spend up to three months in Australia.
An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. Applications for ETAs can be submitted through travel agents or airlines.
Now, you can also submit applications directly through this web site by clicking on the Apply for ETA button and, in most cases, we will be able to approve your ETA in less than 30 seconds. You can also check your ETA status, if you applied through this site, by clicking on the Check your ETA button.
The ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated for the Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia.
When an application for an ETA is submitted through this site, all you need to do is enter the details from your passport and your credit card information. The application is processed immediately. Approved applications are electronically recorded on Australian Government systems.
When you arrive at an airport for check-in on a flight to Australia, the airline check-in staff can electronically confirm that you have authority to board the flight to Australia.
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Am I eligible?
www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAAus1En.html
You are only eligible to apply for an ETA while you are outside of Australia. To apply through this site, you must also hold one of the listed ETA-eligible passports. If you do not meet these criteria, then you should contact your nearest Australian visa office for further options.
Travellers holding the following passports may now apply for an ETA through this site:
* Andorra
* Austria
* Belgium
* Brunei
* Canada
* Denmark
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hong Kong SAR
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Italy
* Japan
* Liechtenstein
* Luxembourg
* Malaysia
* Malta
* Monaco
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Portugal
* San Marino
* Singapore
* South Korea
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom
* United States Of America
* Vatican City
Holders of UK British National (Overseas) (GBN) passports are not eligible to apply for ETAs through this site
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Character Test
www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/79character.htm
All non-citizens seeking to enter or stay in Australia must be assessed against the Character Requirement.
A person will fail the character test where:
* they have a substantial criminal record
* they have, or have had, an association with an individual, group or organisation suspected of having been, or being, involved in criminal conduct
* having regard to the person's past and present criminal conduct, the person is found not to be of good character
* having regard to the person's past and present general conduct, the person is found to be not of good character
* there is a significant risk that the person will engage in criminal conduct in Australia, harass, molest, intimidate or stalk another person in Australia, vilify a segment of the Australian community, or incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community, or represent a danger to the Australian community or a segment of that community.
See: Fact Sheet 78 - Controversial Visa Applicants
Substantial criminal records
A person is deemed to have a substantial criminal record if they have been:
* sentenced to either death or life imprisonment
* sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12 months or more
* sentenced to two or more terms of imprisonment (whether on one or more occasions), where the total of those terms is two years or more
* acquitted of an offence on the grounds of either unsoundness of mind or insanity and, as a result, the person has been detained in a facility or institution.
