Travelling Overseas This Holiday Season? What Australian Visa Holders Need to Check Before They Go

The holiday season is fast approaching, and if you’re planning on travelling overseas to visit family, enjoy a holiday or take a well-earned break, now is the time to start preparing.

But before you book your flights, pack your bags and head to the airport, there’s one important thing to check: does your current Australian visa allow you to leave the country and return?

For some visa holders, travelling overseas is relatively straightforward. For others, leaving Australia without checking their visa conditions or travel arrangements could affect their ability to return.

Whether you’re an Australian permanent resident, temporary visa holder or currently waiting for a visa decision, here are some important things to consider before travelling overseas this holiday season.

Can I leave Australia and return on my current visa?

Not all Australian visas come with the same travelling permissions.

Some visas allow multiple entries, meaning you can leave and return to Australia while your visa remains valid. Others may only allow a single entry, meaning you could lose your ability to return on that visa once you leave.

Before travelling, check your visa details with your migration agent or through the Department of Home Affairs’ Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.

Pay particular attention to:

• Visa expiry date: Is your visa still valid when you plan to return to Australia?
• Entries allowed: Does your visa allow multiple entries, or is it single-entry only?
• Must not arrive after date: Do you need to return before a particular date?
• Period of stay: How long are you permitted to remain in Australia?
• Visa conditions: Are there any conditions that could affect your circumstances while you are away?

Don’t assume that because you are currently living in Australia on a valid visa, you automatically have permission to return after travelling overseas.

Are you an Australian permanent resident? Check your travel facility before booking flights

One of the most important things for Australian permanent residents to understand is that permanent residency does not automatically give you an indefinite right to travel in and out of Australia.

When you are granted a permanent visa, it generally comes with a travel facility that allows you to leave and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

This travel facility is typically valid for five years, although the period can vary depending on your visa.

Once your travel facility expires, you can generally continue living in Australia as a permanent resident. However, if you leave Australia after it has expired, you will need another valid travel facility to return as a permanent resident.

This is where a Resident Return visa becomes important.

What is a Resident Return visa (RRV)?

A Resident Return visa allows eligible Australian permanent residents to return to Australia as permanent residents.

If your existing permanent visa’s travel facility is due to expire before you return from your holiday, you may need to apply for and be granted an RRV before travelling back to Australia.

Depending on your circumstances and eligibility, an RRV may provide a travel facility of up to five years.

It’s important not to leave this until the last minute. Processing times can vary, particularly if you don’t meet the standard residence requirements or further information is required.

If you are planning on travelling overseas and your permanent visa’s travel facility is approaching its expiry date, check your eligibility and consider applying well before your intended departure.

Important: If you return to Australia on another type of visa instead of a valid permanent visa travel facility or RRV, it could affect your permanent residency entitlements and future eligibility for Australian citizenship.

Are you on a bridging visa? Don’t book your flights just yet

If you are currently waiting for a decision on another visa application, you may be holding a bridging visa.

This is particularly important because not all bridging visas allow you to travel outside Australia and return.

For example, a Bridging visa A (BVA) generally allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your substantive visa application is being processed. However, if you leave Australia while holding a BVA, it will cease and you will not be able to return on that visa.

If you need to travel overseas while waiting for a visa decision, you may need to apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB).

What is a Bridging visa B?

A Bridging visa B allows eligible applicants to leave and re-enter Australia during a specified travel period while waiting for a decision on their substantive visa application or a review process.

You must be in Australia when you apply for a BVB, and you will need to provide a reason for your intended travel.

If granted, your visa will specify the period during which you can leave and return to Australia.

A few things to remember:

• You must receive your BVB before departing Australia.
• Your BVB will have a defined travel period.
• You must return to Australia within that travel period.
• You cannot extend the travel period after the BVB has been granted.
• If you are outside Australia when the travel period ends, you will need another visa to return.

Home Affairs recommends applying for a BVB no more than three months and no less than two weeks before your intended travel date.

If you’re currently on a bridging visa and planning on travelling, make sure you understand your options before making travel arrangements.

What if you’re on a temporary visa?

If you’re holding a temporary visa, such as a Student visa (subclass 500), Visitor visa (subclass 600), Working Holiday visa or Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), there are a few things worth checking before you travel.

While many temporary visas allow multiple entries, you should never assume this is the case for your particular visa.

Check your visa expiry date

Make sure your visa will remain valid for your entire trip and that you can return to Australia before its expiry date or any applicable must-not-arrive-after date.

If your visa is due to expire while you’re overseas, you may need to explore other visa options before travelling.

Check how many entries your visa allows

Some visas are granted with a single-entry travel facility, while others allow multiple entries.

If your visa only permits one entry and you leave Australia, you may not be able to return using that visa.

Understand your visa conditions

Your visa conditions may continue to be relevant to your circumstances when you return.

For example, Student visa holders should consider whether their studies, enrolment and other visa requirements will be affected by their planned absence.

Temporary visa holders should also consider whether any changes to their employment, study or personal circumstances could affect their visa status.

If you are unsure whether your visa allows you to travel, check your VEVO details and seek advice from a migration agent before departing.

Has your passport changed since your visa was granted?

Another detail that can easily be overlooked is your passport information.

If you’ve renewed your passport since receiving your Australian visa, make sure your new passport details have been provided to the Department of Home Affairs.

Your Australian visa is generally linked electronically to your passport. If you are travelling on a new passport that has not been linked to your visa record, you could experience delays when checking in or returning to Australia.

Before travelling, check that:

• Your passport is valid for your intended travel.
• Your current passport details are linked to your Australian visa.
• Your name and personal details are consistent across your travel documents.

You should also check the passport validity requirements of your destination country and any countries where you will be transiting.

What should you do before travelling overseas this holiday season?

Visa requirements are only one part of preparing for an overseas holiday, but they’re an important one to get right.

Before you leave Australia, consider working through this checklist:

• Check your current visa details and conditions through VEVO.
• Confirm your visa allows you to leave and re-enter Australia.
• Check your visa expiry date and any travel facility expiry date.
• Apply for a Resident Return visa if required.
• If you hold a bridging visa, confirm whether you need a Bridging visa B and receive it before departure.
• Make sure your current passport is linked to your visa.
• Check the entry and transit requirements for your destination.
• Allow enough time for any necessary visa applications to be processed before your trip.

If your circumstances are complicated or you’re unsure about your travel rights, it’s worth getting advice before you make final travel arrangements.

Frequently asked questions about travelling overseas on an Australian visa

Can I travel overseas while my Australian visa application is being processed?

It depends on your current visa. If you hold a Bridging visa A, you generally cannot leave Australia and return on that visa. Eligible applicants may be able to apply for a Bridging visa B, which allows travel during a specified period.

Do Australian permanent residents need a visa to return to Australia?

Permanent residents need a valid travel facility to leave and re-enter Australia as permanent residents. If their travel facility has expired or will expire while they are overseas, they generally need to obtain a Resident Return visa before returning.

Can I apply for a Resident Return visa while overseas?

Yes. Eligible applicants can apply for a Resident Return visa while in or outside Australia, provided they are not in immigration clearance. However, you must be granted the visa before returning to Australia as a permanent resident.

Can I return to Australia if my temporary visa expires while I’m overseas?

You need a valid visa to enter Australia. If your current visa expires while you are overseas, you will need to explore and obtain an appropriate visa before returning. Your options will depend on your circumstances and eligibility.

How do I check whether my visa allows multiple entries?

You can check your visa details through VEVO. Look for the ‘Entries allowed’ information, which indicates whether your visa permits single or multiple entries.

How early should I check my visa before travelling?

Ideally, check your visa well before booking or departing, particularly if you need to apply for a Resident Return visa or Bridging visa B. Some applications can take time to process, so leaving it until the week before your flight could create unnecessary stress.

Planning an overseas holiday? Make sure your Australian visa is ready for the trip.

The last thing you want is to enjoy a holiday overseas only to discover that you cannot return to Australia as planned.

Whether you are a permanent resident checking your Resident Return visa requirements, a temporary visa holder reviewing your travel conditions or someone waiting for a visa decision, taking the time to understand your situation before departing can help you avoid unnecessary complications.

At Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE), we can help you understand your visa conditions and explore your options if you are planning to travel overseas.

If you’re unsure whether your current visa allows you to leave and return to Australia, don’t leave it until the airport to find out.

Get in touch with AVIE to discuss your circumstances and get guidance before your next trip.