Australia Visa Extension - How to Extend Your Stay in Australia?

Finding it difficult to stay in Australia? Are you an international student studying in Australia? Would you want to extend your visa? Are you looking for ways to extend your Australia visa? If yes, this Australia Visa Extension article will help you with the same. I am sure this article will give you all the information and guidelines to understand how to extend your stay in Australia. First, let’s take a quick look at the requirements and steps of applying for an Australia Visa Extension.

For visa holders in Australia, temporary visas are the only formal authorization available. The Department of Foreign Affairs has tight guidelines that visa holders must abide by regarding visa extensions in Australia when they need to stay in the country longer than their visa's initial validity.

You must apply for a new visa to extend your visa for Australia. Not all visas, though, will let you use them for a new one if you wish to stay in Australia for a more extended period. As they were established when your visa was obtained, you must review the terms of your visa.

What is a visa

You may need to apply for an Australia visa extension when you want to stay for a more extended period in Australia. A visa is a document that allows people from other countries to enter and remain on Australian territory. There are different types of tickets available, depending on the purpose of your visit or your reasons for staying in Australia.

What is a Visa Extension

A visa extension is an application for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection that requests permission to stay in Australia longer than the original visa allows. A visa extension can be granted up to six months from the date the applicant's current visa expires, depending on work or family obligations.

Is it possible for me to extend my Australian visa?

Yes, you can extend your Australian visa. You will need to apply for an extension of your stay before the expiration date of your current passport. This can be done at any time during your Australian holiday. You will need to provide the following documents:

- A completed application form; and

- Evidence that you have enough funds available while in Australia, as well as evidence of how long you intend to stay (i.e., a return or onward ticket).

What are some ways I can get my visa extended?

You can apply for an Australia visa extension from within the country if you have a subclass 417 (Working Holiday) or subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa. You must ensure that you work legally and that your employer is registered with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. You may also be eligible for a tourist visa extension if you travel on another type of visas, such as a student or work visa.

The cost of extending an Australian tourist visa

Australian tourist visas can be extended for up to three months with an additional fee. This extension will be granted if you meet the requirements and can provide proof that you have sufficient funds and accommodation arrangements.

Extending your Australian tourist visa is a great way to stay longer in this beautiful country. You may also want to take advantage of this opportunity if your original plans fell through and now you need more time for something else.

Some additional ways to extend your visa from within Australia.

An Australian visa can be extended within Australia by:

1. Applying for a substantive visa, usually for up to 3 years. 2. Entering into a marriage or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident and living with them for at least 12 months. 3. Being the holder of a permanent resident visa, applying for citizenship, and then applying for another substantive visa after your citizenship has been approved.

How Do I Extend My Australia Visa?

Follow these steps for an Australia visa extension:

•     Check visa conditions. 
•     Check if a waiver request is applicable.
•     Apply for a visa condition waiver.
•     Check the waiver decision.
•     Apply for a new visa.

Check Visa Conditions

When you receive an Australia visa, several conditions will be attached to your visa type. These conditions will dictate what you can and cannot do while you are the holder of that specific visa.

For example, holders of tourist visas (subclass 600) cannot work and usually stay for about three months. In addition, this type of visa imposes a “no further stay condition” (8503).

The “no further stay” condition means that visa holders who are subjected to this criteria can’t apply for another visa in Australia other than a protection visa. That’s why you must check your visa conditions before you leave for Australia. You can re-check the visa conditions in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) in your visa grant letter.

Check if a Waiver Request Is Applicable

If your visa is subjected to condition 8503, you have to apply for a request to waive the condition that limits your continuous stay in Australia.

Condition 8503 can only be waived if:

• You can’t travel back home due to medical reasons.
• A close friend or family is seriously ill or has passed away.
• There is a natural disaster in your country.
• There is a political situation in your country (civil war or political unrest).
• Your chosen school does not provide your approved study course (student visa).

The “no further stay” rule won’t be waived in these cases:

• Marriage
• A new relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Pregnancy.
• Failing your course (study visa).

Also, not being aware that this condition applies to your visa is not enough grounds to waive the requirement.

Apply For a Visa Condition Waiver

If you have strong reasons to ask for a waiver for your 8503 visa condition, you must submit a waiver request to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Apply for the waiver request by completing a waiver form online.

If you can’t complete an online form, download the pdf version, print it, and fill it in. You can find the form here.

For both forms, you must attach these documents (in English or translated into English):

•     A copy of your passport bio page.
•     Evidence that you require a waiver (medical report, death certificate, university record, etc.)

You have to apply for the waiver request at least four weeks before your current visa expires. You can check your visa expiration date on the VEVO platform, and you should be able to see all the conditions attached to your visa. The visa expiration date will also be in the written decision of your visa granting.

Verify the Decision on the Waiver

It would help if you waited while the Department processes your request after you submit a request to waive the "no further stay" requirement. You can apply for a new visa if the waiver is approved. You cannot apply for another visa if the waiver request is rejected. If your visa expires after the rejection of your waiver request, you cannot remain in Australia.

Additionally, since the Department's decision is final, you cannot request a review of it. You may submit a new waiver request if your status changes, i.e., if unique circumstances force you to remain in Australia.

It's crucial to remember that even if requirement 8503 is lifted, acquiring another visa is not a given.

Australia Visa Extension Fee

You must pay the costs of applying for a new visa. The fee will change depending on the type of visa being applied for.

What if My Visa Doesn’t Have a No Further Stay Condition?

If your visa is not limited by the “no further stay” rule, then you go ahead and apply for a new visa. You don’t have to request a condition waiver since the condition is non-existent for your visa type.

However, you must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. In this case, the Australian authorities will most likely grant you a bridging visa A (BVA) while your new visa application is being processed. It’s important to remember that while you wait with a BVA, you can’t leave Australia. If you go, your BVA is no longer valid, and you won’t be allowed to re-enter.

If you want to travel back and forth, you can apply for a bridging visa B (BVB) after receiving your BVA. A BVB lets you leave and re-enter Australia while processing your new visa application.

If my current visa for Australia has already expired, is it possible to extend it for another period?

If the visa you currently use to enter Australia has expired, you will not be able to extend it. You must immediately apply for a Bridging Visa E once your current visa has expired. While you make arrangements for your trip return to your home country, you will be able to stay lawfully in Australia thanks to this visa.

If your visa has expired, you will be asked to leave Australia since you will no longer be permitted to do so lawfully. If your visa has expired, you will not be able to enter or remain in Australia. Suppose you continue to stay in Australia without a valid ticket. In that case, you risk facing harsh repercussions, such as arrest, deportation, payment of punishment fines, and a prohibition on getting a visa for Australia in the future.

Australians with protection visas

Before their current visa expires, those with a temporary protection visa (TPV) or a haven enterprise visa (SHEV) must apply for a visa extension. If you submit your application after the deadline, Australia will view you as an illegal immigrant. You won't be able to work, attend school, or get Centrelink or Medicare payments. A visa, a visa renewal, or a stay in Australia is not permitted for unlawful marine entrants who did not apply for a protection visa before October 2017.

Final Thought 

Australia is one of the world's most beautiful countries, and it's easy to see why so many people want to live there. However, if you've fallen in love with Australia and want to stay, you might need an Australia visa extension. If that sounds like you, read on for all the details about how to extend your stay in Australia.