If your plans have changed and you wish to stay in Australia longer than you originally thought, you may be wondering about the possibility of an Australia visa extension.
Overstaying your visa is not a viable option and it’s advisable that you do everything you can to avoid it. If you stay after your visa has expired, you will become an unlawful non-citizen. Unlawful non-citizens may face detention and deportation and may be banned from applying for an Australian visa in the future.
In most cases, the simplest solution is to temporarily leave the country and apply for a new eVisitor visa or ETA online, depending on your nationality.
How to extend your Australian Visa: steps to take
There are certainly options for travellers who seek a lawful Australian visa renewal. Different visas will require different procedures. This article includes useful information for non-citizens wishing to extend their stay in Australia.
Check your visa conditions
Before travelling, you should be aware of the terms of your visa. Things you should know include:
- When does my visa expire exactly?
- What are my Australian visa conditions?
- Are there conditions in my visa that forbid me to apply for a new visa?
The status and conditions of many visas can be easily checked online.
Research your visa options
If you’re allowed to apply for other visas while in Australia, you can explore your options and submit a visa application before your current permit expires.
Some visas can serve as pathways to other visas. This means that your current visa may open opportunities that people currently outside Australia don’t have access to, and may even be a requirement for your next visa.
It’s a good idea to research all visas available to you in order to see which ones allow you to stay for the time you need and check you can meet all the requirements.
Australia bridging visas
A bridging visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia while a decision is being made regarding your new application.
If you apply for a new visa before your current one expires, you will most likely be issued a bridging visa A.
It’s important that you don’t leave Australia while on a bridging visa A. The bridging visa will cease to be valid the moment you leave. You won’t be able to return without a new visa. If you need to leave, you can apply for a bridging visa B that will allow you to re-enter Australia.
Can I extend my Australia eVisitor visa or ETA?
Some types of Australian visa cannot be extended. For example, it is usually not possible to get an Australia ETA extension or an Australia e-Visitor extension.
In these cases, you’ll need to leave the country before your visa expiration date. You can apply for a new visa once you’re out of the country.
This is often the simplest option for visitors who wish to stay longer.
Can I renew my ETA for Australia?
To renew an ETA or eVisitor, travellers must leave Australia and submit a new application online.
Alternatively, if the foreign citizen wishes to remain within Australia with an expired ETA or eVisitor, they will be required to apply for another Australian visa type.
What happens if you overstay your Australian Visa?
Overstaying your visa is never a good idea and it could lead to serious consequences, including:
- Immigration detention
- Removal from Australia
- Ban from visiting Australia in the future
If you overstay your visa for longer than 28 days, your future applications for an Australian visa will be subject to an exclusion period. You will be unable to obtain a visa for Australia for 3 years, even if you left Australia voluntarily.
Foreigners who don’t respect their visa conditions may be flagged in the Australian immigration system. This can affect their visa eligibility for:
- Australia
- Other countries the Australian authorities have a close relationship with
If you are on a temporary visa like the eVisitor visa or the Australian Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), you must respect its conditions. You must either leave Australia before your visa runs out or obtain a different type of visa that allows long-term stay or leads to permanent residency.
What to do if your Australian visa has expired
If you want to stay longer in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a visa extension or bridging visa.
However, the options available to those who overstay their visa are very limited, as they have broken their visa conditions and the Australian immigration regulations.
The Australian government expects travellers to leave before their visa expires and considers overstayers as unlawful non-citizens.
If you have remained in Australia after the expiration of your visa, it’s very unlikely that you will be granted a bridging visa or that your expired visa will be extended. It is always best to start applications before your visa expires.
Your best option is to leave Australia as soon as possible. Should you wish to return, you can explore your options from overseas. Your Embassy should be able to help in case you need legal or financial assistance.
Can you go to jail for overstaying your visa?
If your visa has already expired and you have made plans to leave for another country, don’t go to the airport without contacting the Australian Department of Home Affairs (ADHA).
Foreigners who have been recognized to be on Australian soil illegally can be arrested and taken to a detention centre by the Australian Border Force.
Instead, contact the ADHA or seek legal advice to get information about your options.
Remember, it is always best to avoid overstaying your visa. It is very simple to get a new online visa and come back to Australia.
