Applying for a 408 Sports Visa While You Are in Australia

Players and coaches are sometimes already in Australia when a club offers them a contract. The 408 sports visa can be applied for onshore in many cases, but the rules are stricter than for an application made from overseas.

Sponsor needed for onshore applications

A supporter letter is not enough in Australia. The supporter option is only available for applicants outside Australia staying 3 months or less. An application made in Australia must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor, so the club may need to apply for sponsorship first. See sports club visa sponsorship guide.

---

Who cannot apply in Australia

You generally cannot apply for a 408 in Australia if you hold a permanent visa, or certain other visas set out in the regulations, such as a special purpose visa. You also cannot apply while you are in immigration clearance. If your current visa has a no further stay condition, such as 8503, 8534 or 8535, you usually cannot apply unless the condition is waived. See condition 8503.

---

If your visa has ended

If you do not hold a substantive visa, you generally need to apply within 28 days after your last substantive visa ceased. Do not let a visa expire while you are waiting for a contract.

---

Bridging visas and starting work

Depending on your situation, a valid onshore application may give you a bridging visa, but check its conditions before you start playing or coaching. If the 408 is then granted in Australia, the stay period starts on the grant date, and time already spent doing the same activity on a bridging visa may be deducted from the stay granted.

---

Moving from a short stay to a full season

Players who came for a tournament on the Invited Participant activity type sometimes want to stay for a season. A player joining an Australian club for a season must use the Sport activity type, with national body endorsement and a contract. Continuous stays of more than 6 months under the Invited Participant activity type are generally not supported. See 408 sports visa length of stay.