Sponsor a Friend to Australia (and Writing an Invitation Letter)

Can I sponsor a friend for a tourist visa?

The short answer is that s an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can only sponsor family members to visit Australia. Unfortunately there is no visitor visa to sponsor a friend to Australia.

However, there are some steps you can take to facilitate the processing of your friend’s visitor visa application, some of which have been discussed below:

Invitation letter for Australian Tourist Visa for a Friend

If your friend applies for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream, you can provide an invitation letter for an Australian tourist visa for a friend that may be considered as part of the application by the case officer. 

This invitation letter for a visitor visa for a friend could include your offer of financial support during their holiday in Australia.

It is up to the case officer to determine how much weight to give to your letter.

In your supporting letter, consider including the following:

About the Person you are invitingAbout You
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Contact Details
  • Relationship to you
  • Purpose of the trip
  • Duration of the trip
  • Your involvement in the trip (eg with the person be staying with you, are you paying for their flights / meals etc)
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Contact details
  • Occupation
  • Residency status
  • Copy of your passport / visa

Can I sponsor someone to come to Australia? Can I sponsor a friend for a tourist visa? Can I sponsor a friend to Australia?

You can sponsor family members to come to Australia but there is no provision to sponsor a friend to Australia.

An invitation letter from friend for visitor visa can be a helpful addition to a visitor visa application, but a case officer does not have to place any weight on it.

Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa Template

For the invitation letter to carry some weight, it’s important that you get the invitation letter right in terms of format and language. We understand that perfecting this can be tricky, which is why at Visitor Visa Australia, we offer you invitation letter templates written by experts.

If you need a hand, we have a sample invitation letter available for purchase for just A$8.99.

 

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.

FAQs

Q: Can I Invite someone on an Australian Student Visa?

A: Yes, as an international student in Australia, family members and friends can come and visit you, but you will not be able to sponsor them. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor someone. The person you are inviting will need to meet the usual visa requirements and provide the necessary documentation.

Q: Who can sponsor for visitor visa to Australia?

A. A sponsor for a visitor visa to Australia can be a friend or family member who is a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or an Australian-based organisation. The sponsor must be able to provide accommodation and financial support for the person they are sponsoring during their stay in Australia.

Q: How can I sponsor someone to come to Australia?

A. To sponsor someone to come to Australia, you will need to complete a sponsorship application and provide evidence of your relationship with the person you are sponsoring, as well as evidence of your ability to provide accommodation and financial support during their stay. You will also need to provide a police clearance certificate and meet other requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.