You must have a valid visa to stay in Australia. It is unlawful to stay in Australia without a valid visa.
It’s important to know when your visa expires so you can take action to remain lawful.
Check your visa expiry date and conditions
You can check your visa expiry date and visa conditions in VEVO, the myVEVO app or your visa grant letter. The myVEVO app is available for free download from the Apple and Google app stores.
If you are in Australia on an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), you can check your ETA expiry and conditions through Check an ETA.
Stay longer
If you want to stay longer in Australia, you must apply for a new visa.
Your circumstances will determine your visa options and what you must do to remain lawful while you apply for a new visa. There may be restrictions on applying for further visas while you are in Australia.
See who can help you with your visa application.
If you don’t have a valid visa
If you are in Australia without a valid visa, you could face serious consequences including immigration detention and removal from Australia.
If your visa has expired, you need to apply for a Bridging visa E (BVE) immediately in order to become lawful. A BVE is a short-term visa that lets you remain lawful while you make arrangements to leave Australia.
If you are the family member of a visa holder who died prior to departing Australia, please visit death of a family member to notify the Department.
Leave Australia
You can leave Australia any time. If your visa has expired, you should apply for a BVE before you depart the country. It is important to follow the right steps when you make arrangements to leave. How you leave Australia could affect your ability to be granted a visa in future.
If you need financial or other help to obtain a travel document or arrange your travel, contact:
- your home country’s embassy or High Commission in Australia
- the Department’s returns and reintegration program
Unauthorised maritime arrivals
If you already hold a Temporary Protection visa (TPV) or a Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) you must apply for another TPV or SHEV before your current TPV or SHEV expires.
If your current TPV or SHEV expires and you have not applied for a subsequent visa, you:
- will be in Australia unlawfully
- will not be able to work or study
- will not have access to Medicare or Centrelink benefits
If you are an unauthorised maritime arrival and did not apply for protection before 1 October 2017 you can’t apply for a TPV or SHEV. You must make arrangements to leave Australia.
You can leave Australia at any time.
Permanent residents
As a permanent resident, you can leave Australia and return on your permanent visa as often as you wish for the first 5 years after the visa is granted. After this:
- the travel component of your permanent visa will expire, making travel back to Australia difficult
- you must apply for a Resident Return visa if you want to leave Australia and return as a permanent resident
If you are outside Australia when the travel component of your permanent visa expires, do not return to Australia on any other kind of visa. If you do:
- you might lose your permanent resident status
- your eligibility for citizenship might be affected
Status Resolution Service
The Status Resolution Service (SRS) assists people in the community who need some assistance to resolve their immigration status.
If you cannot resolve your immigration status through our website, Status Resolution Officers may help you to:
- address obstacles or barriers which prevent case resolution
- provide clear information about immigration pathways or departure options
- voluntarily connect with the Return and Reintegration Assistance Program service providers
