The purpose of Sport Visa (Subclass 421) is to allow temporary stay for sportspersons in Australia for the purposes of participating in sporting activities.
Sport Visa applications require an accompanied letter of endorsement from the Sports National Body.
The Australian Rugby Union will only endorse sportspeople entering Australia under a Sport Visa (subclass 421) if one of the following eligibility criteria is fully met:
- The person, in the assessment of Australian Rugby, has the ability and eligibility to play in Australia at the Senior National level; or
- The person proposes to come to Australia to participate in a structured training program under contract to an Australian club AND, in the assessment of Australian Rugby, is currently playing at the Senior National level in their own country.
To apply for an ARU Letter of Endorsement complete the Sports Visa Letter of Endorsement Application Form and provide supporting evidence of eligibility and required documentation to:
ALTERNATE VISA OPTION’S
The Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) advises that the following alternative visa options are available to professional sportspeople depending on their purpose and period of stay in Australia:
Trial or Promotional Matches
A player intending to come to Australia to attend trial or promotional matches, up to a maximum of three games, may be eligible for a Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456) or ETA Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 977).
Players Contracted to a Club
A player contracted to a club to play for a season may be eligible for a Business (Long Stay) visa (subclass 457). This visa provides for a length of stay of up to 4 years and the monitoring regime ensures that the interests of all parties are protected.
Visitors to Australia
A person who intends to come to Australia for a holiday and will only undertake limited sports training or play in a limited number of games as an incidental activity to their holiday, may be eligible for a Tourist visa (subclass 676) or ETA (Visitor) visa (subclass 976), provided they do not receive any remuneration and have enough funds to support themselves and their family.
Further visa information can be found at www.immi.gov.au
Julie James
Australian Rugby Union
PO BOX 115
St Leonards NSW 1590
Rcpt: +61 2 8005 5555
Fax: +61 2 8005 5696
E-mail: julie.james@rugby.com.au
Sport VISA Endorsement Application Form (doc - 90 kb)