Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa allows individuals to stay in Australia temporarily to participate in specific events, activities, or programs. It’s a flexible visa subclass covering multiple short-term purposes such as sports, arts, entertainment, research, religious work, and government-endorsed events.

Previously used widely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 408 visa is now primarily focused on formal, structured activities and sponsored invitations for cultural, academic, and skilled participation.

General Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the 408 visa, applicants must:

Be invited or sponsored (unless applying under certain short-term streams)
Have skills and experience relevant to the activity
Intend to stay temporarily for a genuine purpose
Hold adequate health insurance
Meet character and health requirements
Have the supporting documents related to the stream

Application Locations

Location Eligible?

Onshore: ✅ Yes
Offshore: ✅ Yes

Applicants must ensure their nomination or invitation is in place before lodging their application. Processing times vary depending on the stream.

Important Points

Sponsorship is mandatory for most long-stay streams (entertainment, religious, sports, etc.)
Visa duration depends on the stream and the proposed activity
It is a temporary, non-pathway visa (does not lead to PR directly)
Secondary applicants (e.g. family) can be included in certain cases

FAQs – Subclass 408 Visa

1. What is the purpose of the 408 visa?

It allows temporary stay in Australia to participate in specific short-term events or programs like sports, religion, research, entertainment, and government events.

2. Can I apply for a 408 visa without a sponsor?

Only in specific short-stay streams (e.g. invited participants). Most streams require a sponsor or invitation.

3. Can I work on a 408 visa?

Yes, but only within the scope of the approved activity. Unrelated work is not allowed.

4. Is the 408 visa a pathway to permanent residency?

No, this is a non-permanent, temporary visa. However, it may help build experience relevant to future visas.

5. Is the COVID-19 stream still available?

No, the COVID-19 stream under 408 closed on 1 February 2024.

6. Can I bring my family on the 408 visa?

Yes, some streams allow dependent family members as secondary applicants.

Need Help With a 408 Visa?

Whether you’re a performer, athlete, researcher, or religious worker — we’re here to help you lodge a stream-specific 408 visa application with full compliance. At Abbasi Migration & Citizenship Services, we manage everything from sponsorships to documentation.

Start Your Migration Journey Today

Ready to take the next step toward a new life in Australia? Book a personalized consultation with our expert migration advisors. Whether you’re applying for a student visa, skilled migration, or family sponsorship — we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)