Letters of Invitation for Visa Applications
Please complete your registration online to receive your letter of invitation. Invitations will be issued automatically as part of the registration confirmation process.
Visa Options for Conferences, Congresses, Trade Fairs, Seminars or Expos
All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia (other than New Zealand passport holders who will normally be granted a Special Category visa on arrival, provided they meet health and character requirements; and permanent residents of Norfolk Island who may be granted a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa on arrival).
If you are planning to visit Australia for a business event such as a conference, trade fair, seminar, or expo, there may be different visa options available to you. The appropriate visa will depend, amongst other things, on your purpose for visiting Australia.
Visa Options
The most common visas recommended for short travel to Australia to attend a conference or congress are:
ETA (Subclass 601)
- Online application process
- Quick processing
- Eligibility depends on the applicant’s country of passport
- Charge-free process, but service provider charges may apply
Further information on the ETA can be found on the official website.
eVisitor (Subclass 651)
- Online application process
- Quick, with one working day processing time
- No application charge or service fee
- Eligibility depends on the applicant’s country of passport
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) in the Business Visitor Stream
- Online or paper application process
- For passport holders not eligible for eVisitor or ETA
Further information on the Subclass 600 Visa can be found on the official website.
Things to Consider Before Lodging an Application
1. Invitation and Registration to Attend the Event
Although this is a separate process to lodging your visa application, the Department may consider your registration or invitation to the event when assessing your application.
Confirmation of registration or a copy of your letter of invitation should accompany visa applications.
For online Subclass 400 and Subclass 600 applications, information about required documents will be provided during the application process.
2. Cut-off Date for Lodging Paper-Based Applications
- Apply for a visa at least two months before your intended departure date.
- Apply four months prior if there are any character or health concerns.
More information about visa processing times is available on the Department’s website.