The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 runs from 21 October to 19 November 2028 and is shared between Australia and New Zealand. Two countries means two immigration systems. A squad flying from Auckland to Melbourne for a group match needs its Australian visas granted before the plane leaves. New Zealand’s permissions do not carry across. The same applies in reverse.
Here is a fictional case. A South Asian cricket board has fifteen players, ten support staff and a four-person board delegation. It also brings a broadcast unit of twelve, including two former players engaged as commentators. It plans matches in both countries with a training block in Brisbane. On paper it is one travelling party. For visa purposes it is four separate groups, and the commentators are the group most often placed on the wrong visa.
Short answer: Players, coaches and officials use the subclass 408 at $535 each, with $535 per accompanying adult and $135 per child. Paid commentators and broadcast crew are working, so they use the subclass 400 at $535 or a sponsored 408. Executives who attend rather than work can use a $250 subclass 600 business visitor visa, or a free ETA or eVisitor.
Two countries, one tournament: what trans-Tasman travel means
Australia and New Zealand have separate visa systems, and a visa for one does not authorise entry to the other. A delegation therefore needs two sets of applications, prepared in parallel and timed around the fixture list. New Zealand citizens are the exception on the Australian side, because they generally receive a Special Category visa on arrival. Everyone else applies in advance.
Fixture-driven travel raises a second point. Squads may enter Australia more than once during the tournament. Therefore, check that each Australian visa permits multiple entries and that its stay period covers the last possible match. Our 408 visa page explains stay periods and conditions.
Playing versus commentating: why the visa changes
A player takes part in a sporting activity, so the sporting activities stream of the 408 fits. A commentator is employed by a broadcaster or production company to deliver a service. That is work, not sport. The fact that the commentator played international cricket last year does not change what they are doing this year.
Subclass 408, sporting activities stream. An Australian organisation such as the host body sponsors the group. For stays of three months or less, it can support the group with a formal invitation instead. Coaches, analysts, physiotherapists and doctors are included where their role directly supports the squad.
Paid commentary, production, camera and engineering roles are work. For a short, highly specialised engagement of up to three months without a sponsor, the subclass 400 at $535 usually fits. For a crew employed by an Australian production entity across the tournament, a sponsored 408 in the entertainment activities stream is the safer route. The choice turns on who employs the person and for how long.
Accredited journalists and photographers employed by overseas media outlets are also working while they report. Many are placed on the subclass 400 for a short assignment. Some organisations use the 408 entertainment stream where the assignment is longer or sponsored locally. Journalists should not travel on a visitor visa and hope that reporting is treated as attending.
Board members, sponsors and guests who attend matches and hold meetings can use a subclass 600 business visitor visa at $250. A free ETA or eVisitor works where the passport qualifies. None of these visas permit work. A director who also appears as a paid pundit needs a work visa for that role.
The charges in one table
| Group | Usual visa | Charge per person |
|---|---|---|
| Players, coaches, officials | Subclass 408, sporting activities | $535 |
| Commentators and short-term crew | Subclass 400 | $535 |
| Crew sponsored by an Australian producer | Subclass 408, entertainment activities | $535 |
| Accompanying adult on a 408 or 400 | Family member | $535 |
| Accompanying child on a 408 or 400 | Family member | $135 |
| Board members, sponsors, guests | Subclass 600 business visitor, ETA or eVisitor | $250 or $0 |
Charges are Department of Home Affairs figures as at 1 July 2026. Sponsorship for an Australian organisation, where required, costs $420 once. Applicants already in Australia on another temporary visa pay a $700 subsequent temporary application charge on a 408.
Delegation cost calculator
New Zealand charges are separate and are not included.
A two-country timeline
Processing times are published monthly by each country and are not promised here. The sequence below is built on dependencies and on the fixture schedule.
- 2027Confirm the Australian host or sponsor organisation. Lodge the sponsorship if the stay will exceed three months or the sponsor route is preferred.
- Early 2028Once the draw is known, map every person to a group and a visa. Separate the commentators from the players on the list.
- Mid 2028Lodge the Australian 408 and 400 applications, and the New Zealand applications in parallel. Match stay periods to the last possible fixture in each country.
- Third quarter 2028Lodge visitor pathways for board members and guests. Respond to any health or information requests.
- October 2028Arrivals. Check each grant for multiple entry and the correct passport, then confirm the New Zealand side matches.
The endorsed events question
The 408 also has an Australian Government Endorsed Events stream, which applies where an event has current Government endorsement and the organiser supports the application. Its status for the 2028 tournament should be confirmed with the Department before any group relies on it. If it does not apply, the sporting and entertainment streams and the subclass 400 cover the same people.
The major events page tracks the 2027 and 2028 tournaments together, and you can contact us to plan both countries in one consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a retired player commentate on a visitor visa?
No. Paid commentary is work, and visitor visas prohibit work. A commentator engaged by a broadcaster needs a subclass 400 or a sponsored 408, depending on the employer and the length of the engagement.
Does a New Zealand visa cover the Australian matches?
No. Australia and New Zealand run separate visa systems. Each person needs an Australian visa for the Australian leg, unless they are a New Zealand citizen who receives a Special Category visa on arrival.
Which visa do accredited journalists use?
Reporting is work. Most short assignments fit the subclass 400 at $535, while longer or locally sponsored assignments may use the 408 entertainment stream. Journalists should not rely on a visitor visa.
Can a squad enter Australia twice during the tournament?
Only if the visa allows multiple entries and the stay period covers both visits. Check the grant notice before the first departure to New Zealand, and raise any doubt with us before travel.
Do board members need a 600 if their passport qualifies for an ETA?
Usually not. An ETA or eVisitor covers attending matches and meetings for eligible passports at no charge. A subclass 600 business visitor at $250 is the route for other passports or for anyone with a complex history.
Figures verified against Home Affairs visa pricing as at 1 July 2026.
This article is general information about Australian migration law as at 2 September 2026. It is not legal advice. Figures change each July and eligibility turns on your own facts, so obtain advice before acting.