The Australian Department of Home Affairs has introduced a strict travel policy affecting foreigners with pending Protection visa applications. According to the policy, which was last updated on November 1, 2026, applicants who leave Australia during the application process risk being unable to return. This rule applies specifically to asylum seekers who lodge a Protection visa application while already in Australia. Once an application is submitted, applicants are placed on a Bridging visa, which does not allow for international travel.
The travel restriction is not limited to the initial processing window and continues throughout any review period at the Administrative Review Tribunal. Applicants who depart Australia at any point during either stage risk permanently losing the right to return and continue their case. This policy aims to ensure that applicants do not leave Australia before their application is processed or reviewed. The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that this policy is in place to manage the application process effectively.
Even applicants who are eventually granted a Protection visa face ongoing constraints. Approved visa holders are prohibited from traveling to the country from which they originally sought protection, unless the Australian Government explicitly grants permission to do so. This restriction applies even when close family members remain in that country. The policy aims to balance the rights of applicants with the need to manage Australia's immigration process.
The consequences of a refused application are serious and long-term. Approximately 85% of Protection visa applications are declined, with certain nationalities recording refusal rates approaching 100%. A refused applicant is barred from applying for most other visa types while remaining in Australia, and the refusal is recorded permanently on their immigration history. This can affect future visa applications both in Australia and in other countries.
Applicants who wish to challenge a refusal at the Administrative Review Tribunal must pay a review fee of $1,863.50. This fee is not refunded if the Tribunal confirms the original decision. The government also retains the right to detain and remove refused applicants, and those who are removed may be required to cover the full cost of their removal. The cost of removal can amount to thousands of dollars.
The Australian Government advises anyone considering a Protection visa application to seek guidance from a registered migration agent or a qualified Australian legal practitioner beforehand. Free and confidential advice is available through government-funded refugee and immigration legal services in each state and territory. These services include the Refugee Advice and Casework Service in New South Wales and Refugee Legal, which operates in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
The policy change has significant implications for asylum seekers and applicants for Protection visas in Australia. With the introduction of this travel restriction, applicants must carefully consider their options before submitting an application. The Department of Home Affairs has emphasized the importance of seeking professional advice before applying for a Protection visa. Applicants must be aware of the risks and consequences of applying for a Protection visa, including the possibility of refusal and removal from Australia.
Key points
- Australia has introduced a travel restriction for Protection visa applicants, preventing them from returning if they travel abroad during the application process.
- The restriction applies throughout the application process, including any review period at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
- Approximately 85% of Protection visa applications are declined, with serious long-term consequences for refused applicants.
