K-Pop Artist Visa Australia: Concerts, Tours & Subclass 408
Reviewed 24 September 2026. K-pop groups, Korean singers, dancers and touring support teams coming to Australia for concerts or live performances will generally need the same entertainment immigration analysis as other international talent. The core pathway to assess is the Subclass 408 Entertainment Activities stream.
There is no separate “K-pop visa”. The visa category is driven by the activity in Australia, not the nationality or genre of the artist.
Who in a K-pop touring party may need a 408?
The Entertainment Activities stream can cover the principal performers as well as certain production and support personnel. Depending on the engagement, the travelling group may include:
- singers and group members;
- dancers and live performers;
- backing musicians or vocalists;
- performance coaches;
- hair, makeup and dressing staff where they qualify as entertainer support staff;
- production or technical crew.
Each person’s role should be identified accurately. A support professional should not simply be described as a performer if that is not their actual job.
Australian promoter, supporter or sponsor
For an offshore application where the intended stay is less than three months, a supporter may be sufficient. For an onshore application or an offshore stay exceeding three months, a sponsor is required.
For a multi-city K-pop tour, the Australian promoter’s invitation and the complete venue itinerary should align with the contracts and visa applications.
Union consultation and tour timing
For live performers other than film and television, Home Affairs requires consultation with the relevant union before the engagement. That requirement should be addressed early, particularly where a large travelling party has coordinated travel dates.
Planning a K-pop concert or Australian tour?
Emigrate Lawyers acts for international talent, representatives, promoters and production companies on Australian entertainment immigration strategy.
Family and touring team applications
Eligible family members can potentially be included in a Subclass 408 Entertainment Activities application. Touring staff, however, need their own immigration basis and should not be treated as family merely because they travel with the artist.
Promotion-only appearances
If a K-pop group is coming only for promotional events and will not perform, the Invited Participant stream or Subclass 400 may need to be considered. If performances are included, the Entertainment Activities stream should be assessed.
What should management provide?
- full travelling-party list and passport nationalities;
- role description for each person;
- Australian tour contract;
- dates, venues and cities;
- Australian promoter/supporter/sponsor details;
- union consultation documents;
- financial arrangements;
- family details where applicable;
- contingency plan for itinerary changes.
Related guides
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs – Subclass 408 Entertainment Activities
- Department of Home Affairs – Subclass 400
- Department of Home Affairs – Invited Participant stream
General information only. K-pop touring parties should be assessed person by person and activity by activity.
Madhab Kharel
Principal Lawyer & Director, Emigrate Lawyers
Madhab Kharel is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Emigrate Lawyers, an Australian law firm assisting clients across Australia and internationally. His migration law practice includes Partner Visas, Protection Visas, visa refusals and cancellations, Administrative Review Tribunal matters, health and character issues, Schedule 3, Section 48, sponsorship limitations and employer-sponsored migration. He regularly advises clients with complex immigration histories and matters requiring detailed legal submissions and evidence strategy.
Reviewed by Madhab Kharel, Principal Lawyer
Date reviewed: 24 September 2026
