{"id":7073,"date":"2025-12-14T15:08:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T05:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/morganclifford.com.au\/?p=7073"},"modified":"2025-12-04T12:06:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T02:06:32","slug":"can-you-travel-home-for-christmas-when-living-in-australia-on-a-visa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/morganclifford.com.au\/zh\/2025\/12\/14\/can-you-travel-home-for-christmas-when-living-in-australia-on-a-visa\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Travel Home for Christmas When Living in Australia on a Visa?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many visa holders in Australia, the Christmas season brings thoughts of family, friends, and home.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re here on a student visa, skilled work visa, or partner visa, it\u2019s natural to want to travel overseas during the holidays.<\/p>\n

But before you book that ticket home, it\u2019s essential to understand the travel conditions attached to your visa.<\/p>\n

Understanding Your Visa Type and Travel Rights<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The first step is to identify what kind of visa you currently hold<\/strong> and whether it allows for international travel.<\/p>\n

Temporary Visas<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Most temporary visas<\/a>, such as student visas<\/strong>, skilled worker visas<\/strong>, and temporary graduate visas<\/strong>, allow you to leave and re-enter Australia as long as your visa remains valid.<\/p>\n

However, if your visa is due to expire while you are overseas, you may have trouble re-entering the country.<\/p>\n

Always check the expiry date and conditions listed in your visa grant letter before travelling.<\/p>\n

Bridging Visas<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re waiting for a new visa to be processed, you may be on a Bridging Visa A (BVA)<\/strong>. This visa lets you stay lawfully in Australia while your substantive visa is being processed, but it does not allow travel<\/strong> outside Australia.<\/p>\n

To travel overseas while holding a BVA, you must apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB)<\/strong>. This visa allows temporary travel and re-entry during the specified period.<\/p>\n

Without a valid BVB, your bridging visa<\/a> will cease once you leave Australia, and you may be unable to return until your main visa is approved.<\/p>\n

Permanent Residents<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re a permanent resident but not yet an Australian citizen, you can travel freely as long as your travel facility<\/strong> is still valid.<\/p>\n

Most permanent visas come with a five-year travel facility<\/strong>, which allows you to leave and re-enter Australia during that time.<\/p>\n

After the five years, you\u2019ll need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV)<\/strong> to come back to Australia.<\/p>\n

Travel During Visa Processing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most common questions our clients ask around Christmas is:<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I travel overseas while my visa is still being processed?\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer depends on the type of visa application<\/strong> you\u2019ve submitted and your current visa status<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you travel overseas without proper travel permission, your visa application could be considered withdrawn<\/strong> by the Department of Home Affairs.<\/p>\n

This means you\u2019d need to start the process again and potentially lose valuable time and money.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on a bridging visa and plan to travel, apply for a Bridging Visa B well in advance<\/strong> – ideally several weeks before your intended departure.<\/p>\n

The Department can be particularly busy leading up to the holiday period, and processing times may be longer.<\/p>\n

Timing and Travel Documentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If your travel plans are approved, make sure your passport, visa, and travel documents<\/strong> are all up to date.<\/p>\n

Before you leave:<\/p>\n