Stay longer in Australia
Your visa options and what you must do to remain lawful while you apply for a new visa will depend on your situation.
Check your visa expiry date and conditions
- When your visa expires
- Whether you have a condition that prevents further stay
- Your other visa conditions
If your visa has a condition that prevents further stay, you must leave Australia before your visa expires. You can apply for other visas to return, but only after you have left Australia.
Apply to stay longer before your visa expires
If your visa doesn’t have a provision regarding no further stay, you may be able to apply for a new visa while you still hold your current visa
Check your current visaYour current visa may contain a pathway to another visa you may be eligible to apply for
Other visa optionsExplore all visa options to find a new visa that suits you and check whether you are eligible to apply for it
Remain lawful on a bridging visaIf you apply for a new visa before your current visa expires, you may be granted a bridging visa A (BVA).
Your BVA keeps you lawful in Australia when:
- Your current visa expires, and
- There hasn’t been a decision made on your new visa application
If you leave Australia, your BVA will end when you leave and will not be allowed to re-enter. Therefore, do not leave Australia on your BVA if you need to return.
If you want to leave and re-enter the country, after being granted the BVA, you must apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB).
If your visa has expired
Your options for applying for a new visa are limited, after your last visa has expired. If your visa has expired, you are staying in the country unlawfully and are subject to possible detainment if you do not possess a valid visa.
