MIGRATION_ACT_S48 visa immigration_risk ai_generated partial

AI tells a US citizen they can stay in Australia beyond 90 days on ETA by applying for a bridging visa, or that overstaying is fixed by leaving to NZ for a weekend

ID: visa/australia-evisitor-overstay-bridging

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
85%Fix Rate
88%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-09-15First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
ETA subclass 601 (2024 edition) active — — —
Migration Act 1958 s.48 active — — —
ImmiAccount v2.5.0 active — — —

Root Cause

Australia's ETA (subclass 601) allows US citizens max 90 days per visit; bridging visas (BVA/BVB) only apply when a substantive visa application is lodged before expiry, and overstaying even 1 day triggers a 3-year exclusion ban under s. 48 of the Migration Act, not reset by a NZ trip

generic

中文

澳大利亚 ETA（601 子类）允许美国公民每次最多停留 90 天；过桥签证（BVA/BVB）仅在实质性签证申请在到期前提交时才适用，逾期停留即使 1 天也会触发《移民法》第 48 条规定的 3 年禁止入境，不会因去新西兰旅行而重置

Official Documentation

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601

Workarounds

  1. 75% success Before ETA expiry, lodge a valid onshore visa application (e.g., Visitor Visa subclass 600) via ImmiAccount to get a bridging visa A, allowing legal stay while the application is processed. Use the ImmiAccount portal: https://online.immi.gov.au 
    Before ETA expiry, lodge a valid onshore visa application (e.g., Visitor Visa subclass 600) via ImmiAccount to get a bridging visa A, allowing legal stay while the application is processed. Use the ImmiAccount portal: https://online.immi.gov.au
  2. 85% success If already overstayed, leave Australia immediately via airport with a voluntary departure arrangement (no re-entry ban if within 28 days of overstay) and wait 90 days outside before reapplying for ETA. Contact the Department via Global Service Centre at +61 2 6196 0196 
    If already overstayed, leave Australia immediately via airport with a voluntary departure arrangement (no re-entry ban if within 28 days of overstay) and wait 90 days outside before reapplying for ETA. Contact the Department via Global Service Centre at +61 2 6196 0196
  3. 80% success For stays over 90 days, apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) from outside Australia before travel, which allows up to 12 months per visit with no 90-day limit 
    For stays over 90 days, apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) from outside Australia before travel, which allows up to 12 months per visit with no 90-day limit

中文步骤

  1. Before ETA expiry, lodge a valid onshore visa application (e.g., Visitor Visa subclass 600) via ImmiAccount to get a bridging visa A, allowing legal stay while the application is processed. Use the ImmiAccount portal: https://online.immi.gov.au
  2. If already overstayed, leave Australia immediately via airport with a voluntary departure arrangement (no re-entry ban if within 28 days of overstay) and wait 90 days outside before reapplying for ETA. Contact the Department via Global Service Centre at +61 2 6196 0196
  3. For stays over 90 days, apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) from outside Australia before travel, which allows up to 12 months per visit with no 90-day limit

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 95% fail

    Australian Border Force uses a rolling 12-month calculation: any time spent in Australia in the prior 12 months counts; leaving and returning doesn't reset the clock unless 90 days have passed since the last departure

  2. 98% fail

    Bridging visas require a valid substantive visa application (e.g., a work visa) to have been lodged BEFORE the ETA expires; after expiry, you're unlawful and must leave immediately or face exclusion

  3. 100% fail

    ETA is non-extendable under any circumstances; the Australian Department of Home Affairs explicitly states ETAs cannot be extended, and any overstay must be resolved by departure with potential re-entry ban