Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
400 Short Stay Specialist vs 408 Temporary Activity
The 400 is for highly specialised, short-term work, up to three months in the ordinary case and six in strong business circumstances, supported by an Australian business with no sponsorship. The 408 is for the activities the migration program lists as temporary activities, entertainment, sport, religious work, research, exchange and special programs, domestic work for executives, and some others, for up to two years in most streams, supported or sponsored by an Australian organisation approved for the purpose. A specialist flying in for a project uses the 400; a performer, an athlete, a researcher, a religious worker or a participant in an approved program uses the 408, and neither leads anywhere permanent.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Purpose
- Highly specialised work an Australian cannot reasonably do · A listed temporary activity: entertainment, sport, religious, research, exchange, special programs and others
- Length
- Up to 3 months; up to 6 in strong business circumstances · Up to 2 years in most streams; shorter for some
- Sponsor
- None; a supporting letter from the business · A temporary activities sponsor, or a supporting organisation for some streams
- Where you apply
- Outside Australia · Outside or, for some streams, inside Australia
The migration agent that other migration agents learn from. WIDEN is an OMARA-approved CPD provider — our training is rated ★4.8 by 40+ registered migration agents.
About the CPD →Side by side
| 400 Short Stay Specialist | 408 Temporary Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Highly specialised work an Australian cannot reasonably do | A listed temporary activity: entertainment, sport, religious, research, exchange, special programs and others |
| Length | Up to 3 months; up to 6 in strong business circumstances | Up to 2 years in most streams; shorter for some |
| Sponsor | None; a supporting letter from the business | A temporary activities sponsor, or a supporting organisation for some streams |
| Where you apply | Outside Australia | Outside or, for some streams, inside Australia |
| Work | The specified work only | The activity only |
| Charge | See the fees page | See the fees page; some streams are free |
| Path to PR | None | None |
| Watch out | Repeat 400s for the same role, and the no further stay condition | The sponsorship approval takes time before the visa |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
The 400 is for highly specialised, short-term work, up to three months in the ordinary case and six in strong business circumstances, supported by an Australian business with no sponsorship. The 408 is for the activities the migration program lists as temporary activities, entertainment, sport, religious work, research, exchange and special programs, domestic work for executives, and some others, for up to two years in most streams, supported or sponsored by an Australian organisation approved for the purpose. A specialist flying in for a project uses the 400; a performer, an athlete, a researcher, a religious worker or a participant in an approved program uses the 408, and neither leads anywhere permanent.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
Book 30 minutes with Keshab.
Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536), reads your situation with you and tells you which route fits, what it costs and what happens next.
Video consultation. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes, credited in full if you go ahead. Free questions are closed: advice on your own case is the consultation.
Book a consultation — A$330 inc. GST, credited In writing, no call — A$550
Need 60 minutes, or bringing a partner, employer or documents to go through? Extended consultation, A$550 inc. GST.
MARN 1576536 · practising since 2015 · contact details
Not sure which visa fits you?
Answer three questions. An automated guide points you to the route that usually applies. General information only.
Questions we get asked first
400 Short Stay Specialist or 408 Temporary Activity — which is better?
The 400 is for highly specialised, short-term work, up to three months in the ordinary case and six in strong business circumstances, supported by an Australian business with no sponsorship. The 408 is for the activities the migration program lists as temporary activities, entertainment, sport, religious work, research, exchange and special programs, domestic work for executives, and some others, for up to two years in most streams, supported or sponsored by an Australian organisation approved for the purpose. A specialist flying in for a project uses the 400; a performer, an athlete, a researcher, a religious worker or a participant in an approved program uses the 408, and neither leads anywhere permanent.
What is the main difference between the 400 Short Stay Specialist and the 408 Temporary Activity?
Purpose: 400 Short Stay Specialist — Highly specialised work an Australian cannot reasonably do; 408 Temporary Activity — A listed temporary activity: entertainment, sport, religious, research, exchange, special programs and others. Length: 400 Short Stay Specialist — Up to 3 months; up to 6 in strong business circumstances; 408 Temporary Activity — Up to 2 years in most streams; shorter for some. Sponsor: 400 Short Stay Specialist — None; a supporting letter from the business; 408 Temporary Activity — A temporary activities sponsor, or a supporting organisation for some streams.
Keep reading