Protection Visas Are Not a Pathway to Stay Longer: What Tourist Visa Holders Must Know

It’s a common scenario: your current visa is nearing its expiry and you don’t know what to do, or what your options and rights are.

Clearly, when navigating the sometimes daunting complexities of the Australian immigration system understanding current immigration laws, or having quality up-to-date legal advice, is essential to ensure you make informed decisions about your visa options.

In this article, we are looking at those who are on a tourist visa which is nearing expiry, yet who feel they need to stay longer in Australia. For many, the pressure to find a way forward If you are in this situation, you might be considering a Protection visa as a convenient solution to extend your time onshore. If so, it is critical to understand that this visa subclass is a serious legal mechanism designed for those in genuine need of asylum, not a flexible alternative for those wishing to prolong a holiday or work irregularly.

The Australian government enforces strict regulations to prevent abuse of the visa system. Misusing this pathway can have irreversible consequences for your future in Australia.

Let’s look into the options.

The Misconception of Protection Visas as a Stay Extension

There is a growing and dangerous misconception that a Protection visa (typically a Protection Visa Subclass 866) serves as a “back-up” or “bridge” for visitors who are not ready to leave.

It must be understood that to be eligible for a Protection Visa Subclass 866, applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria, including lawful entry into Australia, a genuine fear of harm, and passing health and security checks.

In reality, the law is very clear: Protection visas are strictly reserved for people who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution or a real risk of significant harm in their home country.

If you are a genuine visitor who entered on a substantive visa, such as a tourist visa, and you apply for protection solely to gain more time, the application is likely to be refused. Attempting to use this process as a stay extension strategy often backfires, as it signals to the Department of Home Affairs that your original intentions for entering Australia may have been disingenuous, potentially compromising your current status and any future applications.

Significant Legal Risks and Refusal Consequences

The implications of an unsuccessful Protection visa application are very serious, possibly extending far beyond a simple “no.”

A refusal creates a permanent mark on your immigration record, which must be disclosed to immigration authorities in Australia and other countries (such as the UK, USA, or Canada) for the rest of your life. If your application is initially rejected, this can lead to further complications, including the need for appeals and additional scrutiny on future applications in Australia or anywhere else.

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Perhaps the most restrictive consequence is known as the section 48 bar. Under the Migration Act 1958, if you are in Australia and do not hold a substantive visa (for example, if you are on a bridging visa) and your Protection visa is refused, you are generally barred from applying for almost any other visa while you remain in the country.

This visa refusal not only affects your current status but also impacts your visa conditions and future eligibility for other visas, effectively closing the door on other potential pathways, such as partner or skilled visas,You may be forced to depart Australia before you can organise your return, and you may be barred from returning at all.

Providing false or misleading information during your visa application process can result in serious legal consequences, including criminal penalties such as fines or imprisonment, and may permanently affect your ability to obtain visas in the future anywhere.

The Dangers of Providing Misleading Information in a Protection Visa Application

We cannot overstate the severity of submitting false or misleading information to the Department of Home Affairs. Under the Migration Act 1958, providing fraudulent claims or forged documents is a criminal offence. The legal consequences are significant and may include:

• Substantial financial fines.
• Imprisonment for up to 10 years.
• The immediate cancellation of any current visas, for you or your family .

As part of the Department's assessment, both character checks and security checks are conducted. Discrepancies or false information discovered during these checks can raise red flags and will almost certainly have serious repercussions, including permanent damage to your eligibility for future visas.

It is a common error to believe that a third party or “agent” is responsible for the claims made in your application and that applicants are not personally responsible for documents prepared in consultation with legal or other professionals. This is not the case. Legally, the applicant is solely responsible for the truthfulness of all information provided. If the Department detects inconsistencies or fabrications, even minor errors or irregularities in your documents and statements, the damage to your character profile is directly applied, remains on your permanent record, and is often irreparable.

Impact on Future Australian Visa Eligibility

This cannot be over-stated; if your Protection claim is deemed non-genuine or is refused, your lawful status in Australia becomes extremely precarious.

Once your bridging visa expires following a final refusal, you become an unlawful non-citizen, making you subject to mandatory detention and removal from the country. It is crucial to always hold a valid visa to maintain lawful status and eligibility for further applications.

A refusal also makes it significantly harder, if not impossible, to return to Australia in the future. You may be subject to a “re-entry ban” (exclusion period), and your history of a non-genuine protection claim will be heavily scrutinised in any future visitor or temporary visa application.

Each refusal forms part of your immigration history and may significantly damage your credibility with the Department of Home Affairs. A pattern of repeated refusals can result in heightened scrutiny of all future applications, the imposition of additional application restrictions, and a substantially reduced likelihood of success. In practice, multiple refusals often compound existing barriers rather than reset the assessment process.

Transitioning to a permanent visa or permanent residency pathway becomes exponentially more difficult once you have a history of circumventing migration laws or after a refusal.

Incomplete or inaccurate applications can increase processing time and make it harder to avoid delays. Always provide all required information and documentation to ensure your application is processed as efficiently as possible.

How Australian Migration Lawyers Can Help

At Australian Migration Lawyers, we believe in providing honest, strategically sound migration advice that protects you and your family and furthers your long-term aims. We understand the need and/or desire to remain in Australia, but we also know the high cost of a poorly advised application. Our team provides legal assessments to identify valid, lawful visa pathways tailored to your specific circumstances, ensuring you do not inadvertently risk your future.

It is essential to consider your individual circumstances in every legal assessment, as requirements and options can vary greatly from person to person.

Whether you require a complex case review or professional legal representation for a new application, our experienced team is here to guide you through the entire application process. We can also assist in gathering any further information required by the Department to support your case. Expert legal advice helps you avoid common pitfalls that could delay or jeopardise your visa outcome. Choosing the right visa lawyer in Australia means having a partner who prioritises your compliance and success.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and secure a lawful strategy for your journey in Australia.

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Book a Consultation‍

If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a Protection visa just to get work rights while I wait?

No. Applying for a Protection visa primarily to obtain work rights or to stay longer in Australia is considered a misuse of the visa system. Protection visas are intended for those seeking protection due to a genuine fear of persecution. If the Department determines your application is not based on a genuine need for protection, it will be refused, likely triggering a section 48 bar and damaging your future visa prospects or plans for permanency. prospects.

What happens if my Protection visa is refused?

If refused, you will generally be barred from applying for most other visas while in Australia due to section 48 of the Migration Act. You may have the right to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), but if the refusal is upheld, you will be required to leave Australia and may face difficulties returning.

If your Protection visa application is finally refused and no further review rights remain, you are expected to leave Australia as soon as reasonably practicable. In most cases, the Department will specify a departure timeframe, either through a written notice or by reference to the expiry of any bridging visa held. Once your bridging visa ceases, you become an unlawful non-citizen, which can expose you to detention and removal.

Does a Protection visa refusal affect my applications for other countries?

Yes. Most countries, including the US, Canada, and New Zealand, ask if you have ever been refused a visa for any country. A Protection visa refusal is a permanent part of your record and can lead to increased scrutiny or refusals when you apply for visas elsewhere.

Can I switch back to a Student or Work visa after applying for Protection?

Once you have applied for a Protection visa and your substantive visa (like a visitor visa) has expired, the section 48 bar usually prevents you from applying for most other substantive visas onshore. This means you generally cannot “switch” to a student or work visa without first leaving Australia.

What is an onshore protection visa?

An onshore protection visa is for people who are physically present in Australia and are seeking protection because they fear persecution in their home country. You must be in Australia at the time of application.

What is the difference between temporary protection and permanent protection visas?

Temporary protection visas provide short-term protection and limited rights for people found to qualify under Australia’s protection obligations, while permanent protection visas allow you to live in Australia permanently with full access to work, study, and other benefits.