What is an invitation letter for tourist visa or visitor visa? A tourist visa essentially allows a person outside Australia to visit the country as a tourist. Tourists visit different places and countries to make memories or to check off destination visits on their bucket lists. Not all countries require a tourist visa, because some countries offer a visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry system.
However, this is not the case for Australia. This is because they have strict control over their immigration protocols and keep tight security on their borders. Moreover, Australia also values tourism to get revenue and contribute to their economy. While the tourist visa in Australia is accessible for eligible people, you may still need additional documents. This is the invitation letter for tourist visa.
What Is an Australian Tourist Visa?
Before we discuss what an invitation letter for tourist visa is, let's highlight some facts about the visa in question. The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa allows the following people to visit Australia:
- Visitors: Visitors on a tourist visa may visit a family member and/or friends for leisurely time. Time to explore the famous Sydney Opera House or the coastal coves of Byron Bay you've been planning with your friends!
- Students: Students can also claim a tourist visa for themselves. They may claim this if they only intend to do short-term study or training. We advise you to lodge a student visa instead if you plan to extend your studies at a university.
- Parents of Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents: These people can use a tourist visa if they want to also visit their children in Australia. They are still eligible for a longer stay under a tourist visa through a new visa.
Additional Information
It's important to note that a tourist visa cannot allow a visa applicant to work, extend their stay, or bring family members to Australia. A work visa is needed for work and you can extend your stay using a new visa. For families, they must individually apply for their respective visas to enter Australia. Here are more information about the tourist visa:
- The duration of this visa will depend on a case-by-case basis and usually ranges from 3-12 months
- This type of visa grants a holder a single or multiple-entry visa
- A tourist visa costs AUD 195.00. However, there may be other related costs for health checks and police certificates. It's advisable to have health insurance before applying for a tourist visa to cover potential medical expenses.
- You can apply for a tourist visa outside Australia.
What Is An Invitation Letter for Tourist Visa?
An Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen may write an invitation letter for the person visiting Australia. The letter will typically outline the purpose of the visit, the visitor's relationship to the writer, and the duration of their visit. The writer will then send this to the Immigration office for review and approval.
You may now ask yourself "Is a tourist visa invitation letter for tourist visa mandatory to secure a tourist visa?". The answer is no. However, this letter can improve the chances of a successful tourist visa application. Below is a sample invitation letter:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Country] [Date]
[Consulate/Embassy Name] [Consulate/Embassy Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Country]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, [Your Name], [Your Citizenship] from the above address, would like to invite [Invitee's Full Name], [Invitee's Country] national to visit me in [Your Country]. [Invitee's Full Name] is my [Your Relationship to Invitee].
[Invitee's Full Name] will be on tourism. They will arrive in [Your Country] on [Arrival Date] and depart on [Departure Date] for [Number] days. They will also be staying with me at my place at [Complete Address]
[Invitee's Full Name] will bear all expenses for their trip including transportation and personal spending money. I will provide accommodation and meals during their stay.
I would love to host [Invitee's Full Name] and show them around [Your City/Country]. This will be a good opportunity for us to hang out.
I have attached my passport and proof of address for your reference. Let me know if you need anything else.
Best regards,
[Name]
[Signature]
[Contact Information]
Note: Remember this is just a example for an invitation letter for tourist visa. You can still change it up and make any changes you may think that are necessary.
Invitation Letter for Tourist Visa: Necessary Documents
Some embassies may not require supporting documents for a tourist invitation letter. But it wouldn't hurt adding some with your invitation letter for tourist visa! These documents can help strengthen the success of your invitee's application. Let's find out what documents you may want to consider adding into the letter:
- Host's Identification: This is a copy of the host's Australian passport and passport number or government-issued ID.
- Financial Support: You may also need to provide proof of the host's ability to support the visitor financially. This may apply for children or visitor's who are still unemployed. Such documents may include bank statements or employment verification.
- Accommodation details: Evidence of the host's residence, like a property deed, lease agreement, or utility bills. Remember to put the complete address of your friend or parents
- Visa Applicants' Travel Itinerary: A proposed travel plan outlining the places the visitor and host intend to visit together can help.
- Host's Availability: If the host is taking time off work, documents like a leave request or vacation approval can be beneficial. This can help the embassy know that you are making time for your visitor.
How Can We Help With Tourist Visa Australia Matters?
Travelling to another country as a tourist is a lengthy process. You need to go through immigration offices, file the right documents, and plan for your trip. Australia values their border security and safety for their citizens. Hence, they will conduct thorough reviews of visas regardless of its purpose.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
