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Sports Visa Costs Compared (2026)

As at October 2026

These are government fees only, per person unless stated, taken from the official fee schedules in force in October 2026: Australian charges from 1 July 2026, UK fees from 8 April 2026, US premium processing from 1 March 2026 and the ESTA fee from 16 October 2026. Fees change often, so we confirm the current amount before you lodge. VisaEnvoy professional fees are separate and quoted after your consultation.

Budgeting for an international season or event means more than the visa charge. Depending on the country, you may also pay employer or sponsor fees, health surcharges or insurance, biometrics, medicals and police certificates. This page sets out the main government costs for athletes, coaches, officials and clubs in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA and Canada, and suggests which visa usually fits each situation.

Which visa usually fits?

Situation Australia New Zealand UK USA Canada
Amateur tour, unpaid eVisitor, ETA or visitor (600) NZeTA or visitor visa Visitor (with ETA if visa-exempt) ESTA or B-2 eTA or visitor visa
Invited to compete in one event 408 Sporting activities (supporter letter) or endorsed events stream Sports Events Visitor Visa Visitor (permitted sports activities) or International Sportsperson (12 months or less) B-1 (prize money only) or P-1A No work permit for foreign-based athletes; eTA or visa
Contracted for a season with a local club 408 Sporting activities (sponsor) Specific Purpose Work Visa International Sportsperson P-1A or O-1A Work permit, usually LMIA-exempt
Long-term employment or support role 482, then 186 Accredited Employer Work Visa or Talent visa International Sportsperson or Skilled Worker (support roles) O-1A, P-1S or other work visa Work permit (LMIA or exemption)
Permanent residence on talent National Innovation (858) Talent visa, then residence Settlement after 5 years Employment-based green card (separate process) Permanent residence programs (separate process)

Government fees by country

Visa or charge Main applicant Notes
eVisitor (651) Free Eligible European passports
ETA (601) Service charge only Applied for through the official app
Visitor (600), offshore AUD 250 AUD 630 if applying in Australia
Temporary Activity (408) AUD 535 Additional applicants: AUD 535 (18 and over), AUD 135 (under 18)
Temporary Activities Sponsor approval (club or event organiser) AUD 420 Paid by the sponsoring club or organisation, not the athlete
Short Stay Specialist (400) AUD 535 Must apply outside Australia
Skills in Demand (482) AUD 4,015 Additional adult AUD 4,015; child AUD 1,005; plus employer nomination costs and the Skilling Australians Fund levy
Employer Nomination Scheme (186) AUD 6,140 Additional adult AUD 3,070; child AUD 1,535
National Innovation (858) AUD 6,235 Additional adult AUD 3,120; child AUD 1,560

Charges from 1 July 2026. Health insurance is required for 408 holders for the whole stay.

Other costs to budget for

  • Health checks and x-rays

    Required for some applicants depending on nationality, age, length of stay and the visa. Costs are set by the panel clinic.

  • Police certificates

    Usually needed for longer stays and for permanent visas, from each country you have lived in for a set period.

  • Health insurance

    Mandatory for Australian 408 holders; strongly recommended everywhere else, even where a surcharge or public system applies.

  • Translations and certified copies

    Documents not in English generally need certified translations.

  • Sponsorship and endorsement fees

    Some national and governing bodies charge for endorsement letters, and sponsors pay their own approval fees.

Use our Sports visa document checklist to see which documents you will need.

Frequently asked questions

For unpaid amateur sport, a visitor option such as an ETA, eVisitor, NZeTA, UK ETA, ESTA or eTA is usually the cheapest. Paid or contracted sport needs a work-related visa, which costs more.

It depends on the contract and the country. Some employer costs cannot legally be passed to the worker, such as Australian nomination costs and the Skilling Australians Fund levy, and US return transport costs in some cases. Agree who pays what in writing.

Generally no. Government charges are usually not refunded if a visa is refused, which is why getting the right visa and evidence first time matters.

US work visas for athletes need a USCIS petition, the Asylum Program Fee and a consular visa fee, and many teams add premium processing to meet season deadlines.

Often, but not always. In Australia, additional applicants usually pay a lower or separate charge depending on the visa. In the UK, each dependant pays the full application fee and the health surcharge.

Australia usually adjusts charges on 1 July, the UK changed fees on 8 April 2026, and the USA and Canada change fees from time to time. We check the current fee before every application.

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