If you’re planning a trip to Australia, one of the first things you need to consider is whether you need a visa. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to obtain a tourist visa to visit Australia. However, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of your visa, especially when it comes to its validity period.
Most tourist visas for Australia are valid for a period of three, six, or twelve months, depending on the type of visa you’ve obtained. If your visa is about to expire and you’re not ready to leave Australia yet, you may be wondering if you can extend or renew it.
The answer to this question depends on the type of visa you have and your individual circumstances. Let’s take a closer look at the options available to you:
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Applying for a fresh visa
If your current visa is about to expire and you want to stay in Australia for a longer period of time, you may need to apply for a new visa. This means going through the application process again, including filling out forms, paying fees, and providing supporting documents.
It’s important to note that not all visas can be renewed or extended. For example, if you’ve obtained a Visitor visa (subclass 600), you may not be able to extend your stay in Australia beyond the validity period of your visa. In this case, you would need to apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer.
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Extending your visa
If you’re already in Australia and your visa is about to expire, you may be able to apply for a visa extension. However, this option is only available in certain circumstances. For example, if you’re unable to leave Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you may be able to apply for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
If you’re in Australia on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), you may be able to apply for a second or third visa, which would allow you to stay in Australia for a longer period of time.
It’s important to note that visa extensions are not guaranteed, and you’ll need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. For example, you’ll need to show that you have a genuine reason for wanting to stay in Australia, such as needing to complete a course of study or needing to stay with family members.
In conclusion, whether you need to apply for a new visa or can extend your current one depends on the type of visa you have and your individual circumstances. It’s important to check the terms and conditions of your visa carefully and to plan your travel accordingly.
If you’re unsure about your visa options, you may want to consult with an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent. They can help you understand your options and guide you through the application process.
Not able to extend your visa while already on a tourist visa to Australia or facing problems while applying for a new one? We have all the knowledge that you need to go through this process. Book a session with us or get in touch with our experts to get things going forward.