Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question regarding your visa,
you might find the answer on this page.
General questions
Yes – any international visitor entering on a passport other than an Australian passport, 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 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open – click here to select your category and find out the visa you require.
Visa applications may be escalated in specific urgent cases.
These situations include:
- Applications for individuals who need to travel within the next week.
- Applications submitted more than three weeks ago that are pending a response from the Department of Home Affairs.
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 2026 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 2026 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)
- Ballkids
- Chaperones
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.
Where a visa applicant cannot undertake biometric collection due to compassionate and compelling circumstances (for example, excessive time taken to obtain an appointment, security and safety concerns, travel schedule, location does not have a Biometrics Centre), the applicant is required to attach a written statement through their Immi Account advising they are unable to provide biometrics, state the reason why they are unable to do so and request a waiver of this requirement. The request will be considered by the visa office processing the visa application.
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 2026 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
- Ballkids
- Chapenores
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 and it has been verified by Tennis Australia, you will receive your Letter of Invitation within two business days from the following email address: [email protected]. Please note that for some participant categories, the verification process may take longer.
No – neither Tennis Australia nor Absolute Immigration will pay for your application fee.
Yes – we can prepare the paperwork and lodge the visas for any number of travellers for an exclusive fixed fee.
Your information will be collected and handled in accordance with Tennis Australia’s Privacy Policy
Applying for a Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) - Other Social and Cultural Activity
- Player: ATP/WTA/ITF
- Player support team member: Coach, Physio, Trainer, Agent or other (such as Hitting Partner)
- Junior Player National Coach
- Tour Staff: ATP/WTA/ITF staff member in a working role
- Official at the Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open
- Partner representative of the Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open
- Sponsor representative of the Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open
Yes. If you are a participant in the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open, you need to request a Letter of Invitation here. Once you receive your letter, you must attach it to your visa application.
The application fee, charged by the Department of Home Affairs, is from AUD$430
After you submit your online application, the processing time is up to 2 weeks
This visa is valid for 3 months
Visa applications may be escalated in specific urgent cases.
These situations include:
- Applications for individuals who need to travel within the next week.
- Applications submitted more than three weeks ago that are pending a response from the Department of Home Affairs.
When you apply for your visa, you must attach:
- Letter of Invitation from Tennis Australia – click here to request your letter.
- Passport: a clear colour copy of the photo page of your passport.
If your current passport is close to expiry, you can still use it; however, you must upload your new passport later through your ImmiAccount before travelling, as visas are digitally linked to the passport used when applying for the visa. If you do not notify the Department of Home Affairs of your new passport, it will not be linked to your visa, and you may experience issues or delays at the border or when boarding an aircraft.
There are additional documents that you may need to include to support your application. See ‘Gather your documents’ at: Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Other Social and Cultural Activity (Invited Participant) stream (homeaffairs.gov.au)
The visa you require will depend on your participant category for the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open. Click here to select your category and find out the visa you require.
Applying for a Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) – Entertainment Activities stream
People who are taking part in a production that will be shown, broadcasted or performed in Australia:
- Media – Print/Website/Radio: Journalist, Photographer, Radio commentator
- Host Broadcast Crew: TV Commentator, Camera operator, Production manager, Technical manager
- Broadcast: TV Commentator, Camera operator, TV journalist, Production manager, Technical manager
Yes. If you are a participant in the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open, you need to request a Letter of Invitation here. Once you receive your letter, you must attach it to your visa application.
The application fee, charged by the Department of Home Affairs, is from AUD$430
When you apply for your visa, you must attach:
- Letter of Invitation from Tennis Australia – click here to request your letter.
- Passport: a clear colour copy of the photo page of your passport.
If your current passport is close to expiry, you can still use it; however, you must upload your new passport later through your ImmiAccount before travelling, as visas are digitally linked to the passport used when applying for the visa. If you do not notify the Department of Home Affairs of your new passport, it will not be linked to your visa, and you may experience issues or delays at the border or when boarding an aircraft.
There are additional documents that you will need to include to support your application. See ‘Gather your documents’ at: Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Entertainment Activities stream (homeaffairs.gov.au)
After you submit your online application, the processing time is up to 2 weeks
Visa applications may be escalated in specific urgent cases.
These situations include:
- Applications for individuals who need to travel within the next week.
- Applications submitted more than three weeks ago that are pending a response from the Department of Home Affairs.
This visa is valid for up to 2 years
The visa you require will depend on your participant category for the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open. Click here to select your category and find out the visa you require.
Applying for a Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
- People who are taking part in a production that will be shown, broadcasted or performed outside Australia:
- Media – Print/Website/Radio: Journalist, Photographer, Radio commentator
- Broadcast: Camera Operator, TV Journalist, Production Manager, Technical Manager
- Broadcast Contractors: independent broadcast contractors or suppliers, or persons subcontracted directly to work at the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open
- Contractors and Suppliers: independent contractors or suppliers, or persons subcontracted directly to work at the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open
- Tennis Australia Staff: person employed by Tennis Australia or State tennis body
Yes. If you are a participant in the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open, you need to request a Letter of Invitation here. Once you receive your letter, you must attach it to your visa application.
The application fee, charged by the Department of Home Affairs, is AUD$430
When you apply for your visa, you must attach:
- Letter of Invitation from Tennis Australia – click here to request your letter.
- Passport: a clear colour copy of the photo page of your passport.
If your current passport is close to expiry, you can still use it; however, you must upload your new passport later through your ImmiAccount before travelling, as visas are digitally linked to the passport used when applying for the visa. If you do not notify the Department of Home Affairs of your new passport, it will not be linked to your visa, and you may experience issues or delays at the border or when boarding an aircraft. - Letter from your overseas employer explaining your current position and duties undertaken whilst in Australia.
- Travel and Stay Itinerary
- Contract or other proof of engagement for the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open: you must have a letter confirming your performance or work in Australia from a player or Australian company. Details should include your position, duties, or project of work you will undertake, the duration of your work, the reason why you are in Australia.
There are additional documents that you will need to include to support your application. See ‘Gather your documents’ at: Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (homeaffairs.gov.au)
After you submit your online application, the processing time is up to 4 weeks
Visa applications may be escalated in specific urgent cases.
These situations include:
- Applications for individuals who need to travel within the next week.
- Applications submitted more than three weeks ago that are pending a response from the Department of Home Affairs.
This visa is valid for 3 months
The visa you require will depend on your participant category for the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open. Click here to select your category and find out the visa you require.
Applying for a Visitor Visa (601, 651e, 600)
- Junior/Amateur tennis player
- Direct player’s family members: partner/spouse, children, parents and siblings
- Guests and other family members
- Ballkids: young participants assisting on-court during matches at Australian Open series events.
- Chaperones supervising and supporting ballkids
- VIP guests:
- National Tennis Federation member
- Grand Slam Board member
- Asian Tennis Federation member
- Oceania Tennis Federation member
The application fee, charged by the Department of Home Affairs, depends on which visitor visa you apply for. For details of the options and costs, click here.
The processing time by the Department of Home Affairs depends on which visitor visa you apply for. For details of the processing time frames, click here.
Visa applications may be escalated in specific urgent cases.
These situations include:
- Applications for individuals who need to travel within the next week.
- Applications submitted more than three weeks ago that are pending a response from the Department of Home Affairs.
When you apply for your visa, you must attach:
- Letter of Invitation from Tennis Australia – click here to request your letter.
Please note: the letter of invitation is required only for junior players, direct family members of the player (partner/spouse, children, parents and siblings), chaperones, and VIP guests. Family members of players who are not direct family members or other guests will not be required to request and attach a letter of invitation to their visa application. - Passport: a clear colour copy of the photo page of your passport.
If your current passport is close to expiry, you can still use it; however, you must upload your new passport later through your ImmiAccount before travelling, as visas are digitally linked to the passport used when applying for the visa. If you do not notify the Department of Home Affairs of your new passport, it will not be linked to your visa, and you may experience issues or delays at the border or when boarding an aircraft. - Form 1229* (if the participant is under 18 years of age & applying for a subclass 600 visa) and travelling with one parent: this is ‘consent to grant a visa to a person under 18 years of age’. You must also include the:
- Passport of the other parent if the player is travelling with one of the parents.
- Passport of both parents if the player is not travelling with any parent.
- Form 1257* (if the participant is under 18 years of age & applying for a subclass 600 visa) and travelling without any parent): this is an undertaking made by a person over 21 years of age who will be responsible for the participant under 18 years of age whilst they are in Australia.
* Please note: if children are applying for an ETA (601) the above forms will not be a requirement. If they are applying for an eVisitor 651, then this may be a requirement (as this application may be manually processed as opposed to automatically processed).
There are additional documents that you will need to include to support your subclass 600 application. See ‘Gather your documents’ at: Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) (homeaffairs.gov.au)
The visa you require will depend on your participant category for the 2026 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open. Click here to select your category and find out the visa you require.
A Letter of Invitation is required only for:
- Junior Players
- Direct family members of the player (partner/spouse, children, parents and siblings)
- Chaperones
- VIP guests
Once you have requested and received your Letter of Invitation, you must attach it to your visa application.
Family members of players who are not direct family members, as well as other guests, are not required to request or attach a Letter of Invitation to their visa application.
Can’t find the answer to your question?
If you have a question regarding your visa application to enter Australia or if you would you like to engage our services for a fixed fee, we look forward to hearing from you.