Yes – any international visitor entering with on a passport other than Australian, MUST have a visa. This includes New Zealand passport holders. We recommend that you apply for a visa as early as you can to avoid delays. 

We recommend you apply as soon as you have the supporting documentation – the processing times provided are only a guide.

The visa you require will depend on your participant category for the 2025 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open – click here to select your category and find out the visa you require.

Participants who are eligible for the Biometrics waiver

The Department of Home Affairs has waived the need for biometrics for the following participants of the 2025 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open:

• Professional Players
• Junior Players
• Player Support Team
• Player’s Direct Family members (partner/spouse, children, parents, and siblings)
• Tour Staff
• Officials
• Tennis Australia Staff
• Contractors and Suppliers

After you submit your visa application online, the Department of Home Affairs may request your biometrics via an automated email. If you receive this request, please ignore it.

Participants who are not eligible for the Biometrics waiver

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the following participants of the 2025 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open are not eligible for the biometrics waiver:

• Media
• Broadcast
• Partners and Sponsors
• VIP Guests
• Other Guests (friends and extended family members)

After you submit your visa application online, the Department of Home Affairs may request your biometrics via an automated email – depending on your passport country OR where you have lodged your visa application form. If you receive this request, you must arrange an appointment at your nearest biometric office so they can be collected.

The nominated biometrics collection agency will capture a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital finger scanner. To check, click here.

During the online application, you will be asked if family members are to be included in your application. Please DO NOT include anyone on your visa application, as this may cause delays. Each traveller will need to apply for their own visa.

* Note: guests and family members may be eligible for a Visitor visa unless they have a working role e.g. your father is also your coach.

To select your category and find out the visa you require, please click here. 

New Zealand passport holders are generally eligible for a Special Category visa (subclass 444). More information about this visa can be found here. We recommend that you check the requirements for a visa Subclass 444 in advance and before you travel. No letter of invitation from Tennis Australia is required to obtain this visa.

If you are a participant in the 2025 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open, you will need to request a Letter of Invitation here. Once you receive your letter, you must attach it to your visa application.

Participants who need to request a Letter of Invitation:

• Players
• Junior/Amateur tennis players
• Player support team members
• Tour Staff
• Officials
• Partners and Sponsors
• Media
• Broadcast
• Contractors and Suppliers
• Tennis Australia Staff
• Direct player’s family members (partner/spouse, children, parents and siblings)
• VIP guests

Participants who do not need to request a Letter of Invitation:

• Other guests
• Family members of players who are not direct family members

When you have requested your Letter of Invitation, you will receive an email from the Absolute Immigration Tennis Team: [email protected]. We recommend you add this address to your Address Book and check your spam or junk folder to ensure it is not filed there. To request your Letter of Invitation, click here.

When you have submitted your Letter of Invitation request form, you will receive it within two working days from the following email address: [email protected]