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Are you wondering how to stay in Australia after your current visa expires? Many people believe they need to apply for a Visa Extension, but in Australia, the process of extending your stay involves applying for a new visa. Unfortunately, this can be more difficult than it seems as there are many factors to consider.
The first step is to know which visas you are eligible for. This could involve getting professional advice so that your unique circumstances and objectives can be considered. A migration agency such as Interstaff can assess whether your circumstances meet the eligibility requirements for particular visa subclasses. When recommending visa options, Interstaff’s Migration Agents will also consider your personal goals such as how long you wish to remain in Australia and why you intend to stay.
Since the pandemic, many Temporary Visa holders have been seeking their options to stay. If your Temporary Visa is about to expire and you cannot return to your home country due to travel restrictions, it is important to be aware of all your visa options to stay in Australia. Visa Extension options may be available to you if you need a new visa to stay in Australia. Some current pathways for looking to stay in Australia longer include:
- Employer Sponsored Visas such as the 186 or 187 Skilled Visas
- The Regional 494 or 491 Visas
- Second or Third Year Working Holiday Visas
- Skilled Migration 189, 190 or 491 Visas
- Student Visas
- 408 Pandemic Event Visas
- Other Temporary Work Visas
- Partner Visas
- Family Visas
If you are looking to stay in Australia through a visa extension, here is what you need to know about possible options. For advice on your particular circumstances, get in touch with one of our registered agents. We would be happy to arrange a consultation to discuss your needs.
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What to do if you need to stay in Australia
It’s important to know that in Australia all Temporary Visa holders must ensure they continue to hold a valid visa to remain lawful. You should apply for a new visa before your current visa expires and you may wish to seek professional advice on your eligibility and options.
Getting Help on How to Stay in Australia | Visa Extension Australia
If your visa is expiring in the coming months, you may wish to consider extension options to apply for a new visa and stay in Australia.
To understand which visa options may be available to you to stay in Australia, contact one of Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents to arrange a ‘Zero-contact’ Zoom or telephone consultation. Simply get in touch at [email protected] or +61 8 9221 3388.
What if my visa is expiring?
If your visa is expiring soon, you should apply for a new visa before your current one expires. In some cases, a person can apply for a Visitor Visa to allow a few extra months in Australia. Applying for a Visitor Visa generally enables you to stay in Australia for 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on your circumstances.
Alternatively, other options may be available to you depending on your eligibility for various Skilled, Family, Partner or Student Visa options. An eligibility assessment with our migration agents can help you to understand your options. If you apply for a new visa, you will often be granted a Bridging Visa. This allows you to lawfully stay in Australia while your application for the new visa is being assessed.
During the pandemic, the Government also introduced the 408 Pandemic Event Visa for people with limited visa options – for example, people who cannot depart Australia due to COVID-19 related international travel restrictions – conditions apply. This visa may also be available to Temporary Visa holders working in critical sectors – if interested, we would recommend a consultation to assess your eligibility. As with all visas, substantial evidence is required to support your application.
What if my visa has a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition (8503, 8534 or 8535)?
Usually there are very limited circumstances available to stay in Australia if a person has a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition (8503, 8534 or 8535) on their visa. However, the good news is the Government has been accepting applications for waivers of this condition during the pandemic to assist those impacted by the travel restrictions. If you have a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition on your visa, you will first need to request a waiver for the condition before you can apply for a new visa and you may wish to seek professional advice.
Visa Extension Australia
If your visa is due to expire, you may be interested in considering visa extension options to apply for a new visa and stay in Australia. To have your eligibility assessed and discuss any questions you may have about the application requirements, simply contact one of Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents to arrange a Zoom or telephone consultation. With over 30 years of experience since 1988, it would be our pleasure to draw on our knowledge to help you stay in Australia.
About Interstaff
Interstaff is a leading migration agency in Australia with countless clients throughout the country. Since 1988, Interstaff has helped thousands of individuals to migrate to Australia for temporary and permanent reasons including family and work. Our registered and qualified team can help support you in the pursuit of staying longer in Australia. We specialise in providing comprehensive advice throughout the visa application process for many visas including visa extensions, visa cancellations, and visa refusals.
As required by the Australian Law, our migration agents are registered with the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and practice under the Code of Conduct, which governs the Australian migration industry. Not only are our team members qualified professionals, but our visa agents stay abreast of Australia’s migration industry news, rules, regulations, and procedures, and we keep our clients advised of any potential impacts to their application.
“On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank the staff at Interstaff for working around the clock to achieve our goal of Permanent Residency. They are a great team of professionals and handled our case with very high standards. We greatly appreciate it – thank you!”
Michael & Violet, Permanent Residence Visa