403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) – Foreign Government Agency stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Temporary Work 403, Foreign Government Agency
Stay	Up to 4 years
Cost	From AUD470
Apply from	Inside or outside Australia
Eligibility timing	Not in immigration clearance
Work rights	Approved government agency or teacher work
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Adequate health insurance required
Travel facility	Multiple entry while valid
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Include family; subsequent entrants available
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Application method	Online through ImmiAccount
Processing	Guide tool only
Health and character	Required for applicants
Visa extension	New visa required

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Purpose

The Foreign Government Agency stream of the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) is for people who will:

• Represent a foreign government agency that does not have official status in Australia; or
• Work as a foreign language teacher employed by a foreign government in an Australian school.

A foreign government agency can include foreign tourist or media bureaus, trade offices and other government entities operating under a foreign national government, or an organisation operating under an international organisation recognised by Australia.

Stay and travel

This is a temporary visa. The grant notice specifies the stay period, which may be up to 4 years. An employer may approve a shorter period.

The visa starts:

• On grant, if you are in Australia; or
• On your first entry, if granted while you are outside Australia.

You may leave and re-enter Australia as often as you wish while the visa remains valid. Time outside Australia does not extend the visa.

You cannot extend this visa. To remain longer, apply for a new visa.

Cost

The main applicant charge is AUD470. Family members included in the application also pay a charge.

You might also need to pay for:

• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Biometrics

You may not need to pay the visa application charge if you hold a valid diplomatic, official or service passport and provide a Third Person Note from your government. Evidence of the exemption is required.

Pacific Island and Timor-Leste concession

From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible applicants who lodge a valid application and hold a valid passport from:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Eligible family members receive the lower cost based on the primary applicant’s or visa holder’s passport.

Eligibility

You must:

• Have support from a foreign government agency, foreign national government, or an international organisation recognised by Australia.
• Be supported by an Australian school or relevant state or territory education authority if applying as a foreign language teacher.
• Be able to financially support yourself and accompanying dependants.
• Have adequate health insurance for your whole stay.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements if aged 16 or over.
• Intend genuinely to stay temporarily and undertake the stated work.
• Repay Australian Government debts, or have a formal repayment arrangement.
• Apply online.

Your work must benefit Australia, not disadvantage Australian residents, and contribute to at least one of these outcomes:

• Local business or export growth
• Employment generation
• International trade relations
• New skills or technology transfer
• Australian employment or training opportunities

If applying in Australia, you must hold, or have held within the previous 12 months, a temporary substantive visa. That visa cannot have been:

• A subclass 403 Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream visa
• A Transit visa (subclass 771)
• A Special Purpose visa

Past visa cancellations or refusals may affect eligibility.

Required evidence

Identity

Provide:

• Current passport pages showing photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates
• National identity card, if available
• Evidence of any name change

Government agency support

Provide a support letter from the foreign government agency, foreign national government, or recognised international organisation. It must confirm:

• Your job title or duties
• The agency you will represent
• The agency’s official authority
• Support for your application and listed family members
• Your intended stay period

If applying in Australia, an embassy or consulate in Australia may provide the letter.

Foreign language teachers must also provide a statement from the Australian school or education authority.

Benefit to Australia

Provide a statement explaining why you must be employed and how the work will benefit Australia. This may be included in the support letter.

Financial capacity and health cover

Provide evidence of funds, such as:

• Employment contract
• Bank statements
• Bank or financial institution letter

Employer allowances, accommodation and other support may also be considered.

Provide evidence of adequate health cover for medically necessary treatment, including transport.

Character evidence

Provide:

• An Australian Federal Police complete disclosure National Police Certificate, if you spent 12 months or more in Australia during the past 10 years after turning 16
• Overseas police certificates for each country where you spent 12 months or more during that period
• Military service or discharge records, if applicable

Family members

You can include members of your family unit when applying. Family members must meet health and character requirements.

You may add family members after applying but before a decision is made. Eligible family members may also apply as subsequent entrants through ImmiAccount.

For family applicants, provide relevant identity, relationship, character and dependency evidence. For a child under 18, provide parental consent using Form 1229, a statutory declaration, a relevant court order, or evidence that the child’s home-country law permits departure.

For dependent applicants aged 18 or over who are not your partner, provide Form 47a and evidence they have been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before application.

How to apply

1. Gather identity, support, financial, health insurance and character documents.
2. Translate all non-English documents into English and provide both originals and translations.
3. Scan or photograph documents clearly in colour.
4. Create or log in to ImmiAccount.
5. Complete the online application and attach documents.
6. Pay the required application charge.
7. Keep the transaction reference number (TRN).

You may be in or outside Australia when applying and when a decision is made, but you must not be in immigration clearance.

The Department will not process the application until the correct charge is paid.

Processing

Use the visa processing time guide for an indication based on recently decided applications. It is not specific to your application.

Processing may take longer if:

• The application is incomplete or incorrect
• Required documents are missing
• Further information is requested
• Information needs verification

The Department may request health examinations, biometrics, or further documents through ImmiAccount.

Conditions and obligations

You and your family members must comply with visa conditions and Australian laws.

You must notify the Department of changes to your:

• Address, telephone number, email or passport
• Marital or de facto relationship status
• Family circumstances, including a child’s birth

Check your specific conditions and work rights through VEVO.

If applying in Australia, remain lawful while the application is processed. A valid onshore application may result in a bridging visa if your current visa expires before a decision.

Important warnings

• You are personally liable for healthcare costs in Australia.
• A visa refusal does not result in a refund of the application charge.
• Provide accurate and complete information and documents.
• If you made an error after applying, submit Form 1023 through ImmiAccount.
• Before travelling while an application is pending, ensure you hold a valid visa to return to Australia.
• Your visa is electronically linked to your passport; no visa label is issued.