Invitation Letter for Australian Tourist Visa

What Is an Invitation Letter for an Australian Tourist Visa?

An invitation letter is a written statement from a person in Australia inviting an overseas visitor to visit Australia.

The letter can explain:

• Who is inviting the visitor
• Who is being invited
• The relationship between the parties
• The reason for the visit
• Proposed travel dates
• Where the visitor will stay
• Who will pay for accommodation and living expenses
• Planned activities during the visit
• Whether the visitor will return home after the visit

The letter should contain truthful and verifiable information.

Is an Invitation Letter Mandatory?

An invitation letter is not automatically required for every Australian Visitor visa application.

The documents required depend on the visa subclass, stream and individual circumstances.

However, if the purpose of the visit is to visit family or friends in Australia, Home Affairs recommends including an invitation letter from the person being visited.

An invitation letter should therefore be viewed as supporting evidence, rather than a substitute for other required documents.

Does an Invitation Letter Guarantee an Australian Tourist Visa?

No.

An invitation letter does not guarantee visa approval.

The Department considers the overall application, including matters such as:

• Purpose of travel
• Personal circumstances
• Financial circumstances
• Travel history
• Family circumstances
• Employment or study commitments
• Reasons to return home
• Previous immigration history
• Health
• Character
• Supporting evidence

Home Affairs advises visitor applicants to explain their reason for travelling, provide details of their plans and demonstrate that they intend to return to their home country or usual country of residence.

Who Can Write an Invitation Letter?

An invitation letter may generally be written by the person in Australia whom the visitor intends to visit.

This could be:

• Parent
• Child
• Brother or sister
• Grandparent
• Other relative
• Friend
• Other person hosting the visitor

The relationship should be accurately described.

If the visitor is applying under the Sponsored Family stream of Visitor visa subclass 600, separate sponsorship requirements apply.

Invitation Letter vs Formal Sponsorship

These two concepts should not be confused.

Invitation Letter

A family member or friend can write an invitation letter explaining the planned visit.

The letter can support the visitor's explanation of their purpose of travel.

Formal Sponsorship

The Sponsored Family stream of Visitor visa subclass 600 has specific sponsorship requirements.

For formal sponsorship, the sponsor must generally be an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and settled in Australia, with specific relationship and other requirements applying.

A person cannot simply call themselves a formal sponsor because they have written an invitation letter.

Can a Friend Invite Someone to Australia?

Yes, a friend can write an invitation letter explaining that they are inviting the visitor to Australia.

However, this is different from formal sponsorship under the Sponsored Family stream.

Home Affairs' Form 1149 states that a person cannot be a formal Sponsored Family stream sponsor if they are the applicant's friend, fiancé, in-law or cousin.

Therefore, the wording of your documents should accurately describe whether the person is simply inviting the visitor or is providing formal sponsorship under the applicable visa stream.

What Should an Australian Tourist Visa Invitation Letter Include?

A well-prepared invitation letter can include the following information.

1. Inviter's Full Name

Include the complete legal name of the person inviting the visitor.

2. Inviter's Australian Address

Include the residential address where the visitor will stay, if applicable.

3. Contact Details

Include:

• Phone number
• Email address

4. Australian Immigration Status

Explain whether the inviter is:

• Australian citizen
• Australian permanent resident
• Eligible New Zealand citizen
• Australian visa holder

Provide supporting evidence where relevant.

5. Visitor's Details

Include:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Passport number
• Country of residence
• Relationship to the inviter

6. Purpose of Visit

Clearly explain why the visitor is coming to Australia.

For example:

• Family visit
• Holiday
• Visiting friends
• Family celebration
• Tourism
• Short holiday during approved leave from employment

7. Proposed Travel Dates

Include the intended:

• Arrival date
• Departure date
• Approximate length of stay

Avoid presenting tentative dates as confirmed bookings if travel has not yet been finalised.

8. Accommodation

Explain where the visitor will stay.

For example:

• Inviter's home
• Hotel
• Short-term accommodation
• Other accommodation

9. Financial Arrangements

Explain who will pay for:

• Accommodation
• Food
• Local transportation
• Tourist activities
• Other expenses

The visitor should still provide evidence of their own financial circumstances where required.

10. Intention to Return

The invitation letter can explain the expected departure from Australia, but the visitor should independently provide evidence supporting their intention to return to their usual country of residence.