If you are a temporary visa holder in Australia and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you should apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.

Please note there are limited visa options available if you are already in Australia. You may consider applying to remain in Australia as a visitor unless you are eligible to work, study or join family in Australia.

If you apply for a new visa, you may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application. You may be allowed to work in Australia depending on the visa conditions that apply to your bridging visa.

If your visa has expired, you should immediately apply for a Bridging visa E (BVE). A BVE will keep you lawful in Australia until you are able to make arrangements to leave Australia or finalise your visa options.

Visa conditions

• No further stay condition (includes 8503, 8534 and 8535)
  • If you hold a visa with condition 8503, 8534 or 8535 and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you can request to waive this condition if your visa will expire in less than 4 weeks.
• Condition 8531 (must not remain in Australia beyond the period of stay permitted by the visa)
  • If you hold a visa with condition 8531 and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you should apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. If you apply for a new visa you may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application.
• Condition 8558 (must not stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18 month period)
  • If you hold a visa with condition 8558 and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you should apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. If you apply for a new visa you may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application.

Visa processing arrangements

Some services relating to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19 and a range of services we rely on (such as medical checks and biometric collection) are increasingly unavailable. Applicants will be given additional time to complete checks and provide the requested information.