If you’re planning to visit Australia as a tourist, you may need to provide a tourist visa invitation letter as part of your visa application. An invitation letter for a tourist visa is a document that outlines the purpose of your visit, the dates you plan to be in the country, and details about your accommodation and activities while you’re there. It’s normally written by someone who is inviting you to visit, such as a family member or friend who is a resident of Australia. A good letter can convince the immigration case officer you are genuine, but a bad one might make them more suspicious. It can provide support to your application and your claim that you are a ‘genuine temporary entrant’.
An invitation letter is not a requirement for all visitor visas, but it can help to strengthen your application and provide additional evidence of your travel plans. It’s especially useful if you’re visiting Australia to see friends or family, as it can provide proof of your relationship and the purpose of your visit.
There are several different types of Australian visitor visas available, including the Visitor visa (subclass 600) and the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa that allows you to visit Australia for tourism, business, or other short-term purposes, such as visiting family or friends. The ETA is an electronic visa that allows you to enter Australia multiple times within a 12-month period for short-term stays of up to three months.
Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa Template
It’s important to get the invitation letter right. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you. Our invitation letter template below was drafted by qualified migration agents and will improve the likelihood of your visa application being approved.
This invitation letter for an Australian tourist visa will give you the type of information that should be included in your own letter, including example content that you can replace with your own. Keep in mind that the letter should be to your specific circumstances and should include all necessary information and documents to support your application.
Click below to access our comprehensive visitor visa invitation letter template.
How to write an invitation letter for a visitor visa
Now that you have a general understanding of the purpose of an invitation letter for an Australian visitor visa, let’s take a closer look at how to prepare one.
- Determine the purpose of your visit. It’s important to clearly outline the purpose of your visit in your invitation letter. Are you visiting family or friends? Attending a wedding or other special event? Or are you simply traveling for tourism purposes?
- Specify the dates of your visit. Make sure to include the exact dates you plan to be in Australia in your invitation letter. This will help the visa officer assess your application and determine the appropriate length of your visa.
- Provide details about your accommodation. If you’ll be staying with friends or family during your visit, make sure to include their contact details and address in your invitation letter. If you’ll be staying in a hotel or other type of accommodation, provide the name and address of the property.
- Outline your travel plans. In your invitation letter, it’s a good idea to provide an overview of the activities you plan to participate in during your visit. This could include sightseeing, attending events or festivals, or visiting landmarks or natural attractions.
- Include a copy of your relationship documents. If you’re visiting family or friends, it’s a good idea to include copies of any documents that prove your relationship, such as a birth or marriage certificate. This will help the visa officer assess your application and determine the genuine nature of your visit.
- Use a clear and concise writing style. It’s important to keep your invitation letter as straightforward and to-the-point as possible. Avoid using overly formal or technical language.
If you are writing an informal invitation letter for a friend or family member, you should include the following:
- Your name
- Your contact details
- Your date of birth
- Your occupation
- Your residency status in Australia
- Personal particulars of the person you are inviting
- How you know the person
- The reason for their visit
- What their itinerary is like / how you will be involved in their stay
- Any financial or other support you will be providing (eg are they staying with you?)
You should also include a copy of your passport, and visa, if relevant. If you are financially supporting the person, you should provide evidence such as a payslip or bank statement.
If you are sponsoring your family member through the family-sponsored subclass 600, you may wish to get your invitation letter witnessed as a statutory declaration. In this case, you should include the following in your letter:
- Your name
- Your contact details
- Your date of birth
- Your occupation
- Your residency status in Australia
- Personal particulars of the person you are inviting
- Your relationship with the person you are sponsoring
- Why and how long the person is visiting you for
- The purpose of the stay
- Why you believe they are a ‘genuine temporary entrant’
- Financial and practical support that you will be providing.
It’s also important to note that an invitation letter is just one part of the visa application process. You’ll also need to gather other documents, such as your passport and proof of financial stability, and submit them with your application form to the Department.
