One of the most common discussions we see online relates to the arrival and departure to and from Australia.
Specifically, people are wanting to know if once obtained a visa and once in Australia, can they leave and return.
It’s fair to say that that’s a fair question. After all, going through the process of obtaining a visa takes time and effort.
So, you wouldn’t want to do anything to put that at risk.
That said, in this case the answer is both yes and no.
Visa Holders Leaving and Returning to Australia
Assuming there’s no legal restriction, a visa holder can leave Australia. But the question most people are looking to find out is can one return to Australia on the same visa.
And like in many things when it comes to visas and migration, the answer here also depends on the circumstances.
For example, a person is granted a visitor visa and this visa has a single-entry condition. Meaning one can enter Australia, stay for the specified time, and leave once the visa finishes.
If one leaves prior to the end of the visa, as the visa is a onetime entry, their visa is no longer relevant.
On the other hand, if one is holding a 12-month visa that allows multiple entries to Australia, leaving and returning is not an issue, until the visa expires.
So really, each visa is different. It is crucial to pay attention to the details of the visa you are holding.
The Bridging Visa
Now, in some cases it gets a little trickier such as when people are on a bridging visa, specifically a BV A – Bridging Visa A. In this case, a person may have applied for a visa while they are in Australia to extend their stay.
While on a bridging visa, one can leave Australia but not return. The challenge is the visa that you applied for may require you to be Australia for it to be granted.
Now, there’s a way around it and that is called a Bridging Visa B but that needs to be applied for prior to leaving Australia.
Another risk of leaving Australia while holding a visa is that while you are away, the Department of Immigration, Citizenship and Multi-Cultural affairs or The Department of Home Affairs may cancel your visa. Something to keep in mind.
So, looking back at the question, can one leave and return to Australia while holding a visa, the answer is yes and no.
If you are holding a permanent visa, the answer is yes. Same goes for student visas and other visas.
On the other hand, if one has a visa that specifies a single entry requirement, coming and going is not an option.
Hopefully that helps clarify a number of questions and concerns.
For more information regarding visas and immigration, reach out to us at Modern Migration Australia and we would be honoured to guide you in the right direction.