Visa Extensions

Every year, many people arrive in Australia on a visa and extend their visa or apply for a new visa to stay longer while they are here in Australia.

So, how do we extend our stay in Australia by extending our visa or applying for a new one? First of all, you must apply for a new visa if you want to stay beyond the initial authorised stay period of your visa. Please note that you can not apply for a new visa if your initial visa has a “no further stay” condition, such as 8503. You need to request a waiver of this visa condition before you can apply for a new visa while you are in Australia. Therefore, it is very important for you to know the following information before you explore your options to stay longer:

• 1. When your visa expires – you can find this information on your visa grant letter or through VEVO
• 2. Whether you have a “no further stay” condition on your visa – you can also can find this information on your visa grant letter or through VEVO
• 3. Your other visa conditions

If your visa does not have a “no further stay” condition or you have requested it to be successfully waived, you can apply for a new visa or extend your current visa while you are onshore, but you must lodge the application for a new visa while your current visa is still valid. If you do so, you will be granted a Bridging Visa to stay lawfully in Australia until your new visa is decided. Otherwise you will overstay your visa and become unlawful in Australia.

Depending on your current visa and your circumstances, there might be a pathway to another visa. You can explore your options through the website of the Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder or talk to one of our visa experts at Future Connect Education and Migration Services.

Student visa holders should pay close attention to their visa validity in Australia. Failure to have a student visa extended or apply for a new visa will cause serious consequences including serious impact to your study. Future Connect Education and Migration Services is dedicated to helping visa holders to explore their options for further stay in Australia. Talk to us today.