You have your visa to Australia. Whether it’s a temporary visa (like a tourist visa) or a permanent visa (like a partner visa), most of those who came to Australia from Philippines is thinking of returning some day. Regardless of how much your Filipina lady loves Australia, she will want to visit her family again some day. It’s a Filipino thing. The question comes up about whether this will cause problems.
Single-entry versus multiple-entry
A visa can be either single-entry or multiple-entry. It means pretty much how it sounds.
Single-entry means you can enter Australia once only. Even if it was a 3 month stay, if you arrive today and leave tomorrow…..then that’s it! One single entry to Australia only. Back to Philippines where she needs another visa before she can travel again.
Multiple-entry means you can enter and leave pretty much as often as you like. The visa doesn’t end when you leave. You may return, in accordance with the conditions of the visa grant. It may have a last date to enter (must not arrive after). It may have an expiry date. It may have a maximum stay period. But basically as long as you abide by those conditions, you can arrive and leave.
Must not arrive after: If this is a multiple entry visa (and unless this date is ALSO the expiry date) you may arrive on this last date to arrive and you may stay.
Stay period: This means the longest period you may stay. If this is multiple entry, it means “per visit” and not “per visa”.
Travel facility: This will either say “single” or “multiple”. This is how you know if it’s multiple or single entry.
How is the “stay period” actually measured?
It’s normally set out in months. And months means months. 3 months means 3 months. It does NOT mean 90 days! And it’s date-to-date. If you arrive on 5 March for a 3 month stay, then you need to leave on 5 June or before.
And the stay period starts and finishes at the Australian airport! If you leave at 10:00pm from Manila on the 5th of March and arrive in Sydney at 4:00am on the 6th of March, then your stay period started on 6th of March! And if it’s a 3 month stay period, you need to leave at the Australian airport on or before 6th June!
What if you overstay?
OK, you have two scenarios:
Less than 28 days
They will most likely cancel the visa, but nothing else. However it will still sit on your record, and may influence decisions about granting visas again in the future.
More than 28 days
They will cancel the visa, and under PIC 4014 (Migration Regulations 1994) issue a 3 year ban from applying for further tourist visas.
Note: This ban doesn’t prevent you from applying for partner visas.
So obviously don’t do it! Look at the visa grant letter. This is your responsibility. And monitor those essential dates. Don’t assume that Down Under Visa will be watching the calendar for you. We have enough to do!
Leaving Australia and returning again
Where you can go to, and can you take a boat cruise?
When your visa conditions require you to leave Australia before you return, then you must do this. Don’t even think about overstaying, as I said above. The consequences can affect you long into the future.
When you are required to leave Australia at the end of a stay, such as when you are on a multiple-entry tourist visa, then leave Australia you must do!
Do you need to return to the Philippines? Not necessarily. If you would rather spend a few days in Bali or go shopping in Hong Kong, then feel free. You just need to make sure of two different things:
- Does she (or the accompanying sponsor) need a visa to where they’re going? Many ask about New Zealand. A Filipino needs a visa! Can’t just arrive there. Do your homework beforehand.
- Are you actually leaving Australia?
The last issue particularly applies to taking boat cruises. Taking a boat ride is not always “leaving the country”, and if you don’t leave the country then you will breach visa conditions. This applies to larger cruise ships that take “round trips” and come back to the same port as the one they departed from.
So even if you got off the boat at Vanuatu and in Fiji, it’s possible and highly likely that if you got back on the same boat and went back to the same port in Australia that you technically never left Australia. However if you flew back or if you went back to another port in Australia then possibly you did leave Australia.
And if you don’t leave Australia when you’re supposed to, you could have inadvertently overstayed your visa!
Our advice has always been this: Ask the cruise company! Ask them if you will be effectively leaving Australia if you go on the cruise. Don’t guess, and don’t take a risk.
Happy travels!
Further Reading
How to get a tourist visa to Australia from Philippines
Tourist visas for couples? In most cases, no problem!
Can I get a 1 year tourist visa for my Filipina lady?
Are Australian Visa Applications from the Philippines Easy?
Down Under Visa – Australian Filipina couple John & Eva
Holy Week 2024 – Down Under Visa public holidays
How to avoid Australian Tourist Visa refusals
Free Visa Assessment
Hi,
My fiancee has got her tourist visa which is good for 12 months and she is from the Philippines. We are planning to marry in Australia January 2019, I myself am Australian . My question is can we leave Australia together for one week for our honeymoon in the Cook islands and return to Australia providing she doesn’t over stay her visa. I made inquiries and she is allowed to visit the Cook islands but no longer than 31 days
12 month visa? or 3 month multiple entry visa valid for 12 months? If it’s multiple entry, she may exit and go anywhere and return (as long as she stays no longer than 3 months per visit).
Hi Jeff,
I’m currently on a 3 months multiple entry tourist visa that’s valid for 12 months and no 853 restriction. It indicates that I cannot arrive after September 14. From your example in the article above, If I do arrive on or before Sept 14, can I still stay for 3 months even if it says in VEVO that my visa expiry is on October 10? If that’s the case, can I apply for a new tourist visa whilst in Australia? Thank you for your insight.
Hi ,
I have a multiple visa valid for a three years and each stay maximum 3 months. What I want to know is after the 3 months can i go to NZ for one week and back to Australia?
If you have a visa for NZ, yes you may go there. And you may return as long as the Department officers have no issues with you being a genuine tourist in Australia.
Hi my sister got 3month multiple entry visa valid for 12months,. Is it ok to exit australia only for 1day stay in singapore then back again in australia?
Technically, yes. Practically? Not a great idea. They can question her motives and intentions and whether she is in fact a genuine applicant who only wishes to visit. She could get her visa cancelled if she rouses their suspicions. Suggest she goes somewhere for a few weeks.
I missed my flight going back to the Philippines, and my 3 month maximum stay for my multiple entry visa will end same day , we booked another ticket the day after which means I overstayed for a day . Is it enough reason to cancel my visa or they will consider, as I have valid reason for it
They can cancel. I would suggest you speak to the Immigration people at the airport before your flight and explain your case to them.
My family friend applied for a spouse visa and did not realise she overstayed her visitor visa for 84 days because she went on a roundtrip cruise to NZ. She applied for Bridging visa A and got C because she was considered to overstay her visa. She needs to go back to the Philippines for her son’s college graduation. If she leaves Australia, is there a possibility she can apply for a visitor visa again and waive the 3 year ban if there are compelling reasons for her to return?
She needs a Bridging Visa B (BVB) to leave Australia and return again. She needs a Bridging Visa A to apply for a BVB. So she can never get a BVB! If she leaves and tries to get a tourist visa, she probably won’t get one! She has to ask herself what is more important? Being able to remain in Australia, or attending a graduation. She can’t have both.
Once you got 3 month tourist visa and you are gone back, after how long can you apply for a tourist visa again? Is there a specific time you need to wait before applying again?
(My wife visited me on a tourist visa while waiting for permanent visa 309)
Anytime you like! There are no restrictions there.
Hi can i asked im Finnish my 3months single entry visa,and I’m flying back to Philippines soon,can i apply again a new visa to come back in Australia.
Anytime you like
Can my father visit Tasmania and come back .?will he be considered as left Australia ?
No, Tasmania is a state of Australia. It’s not a different country.
wife keeps telling me that the philipines are making all returning philippos to australia pay an do some course in order to receive a release ,sticker in their passport to come back to australia CFO. my wife has been here in australia for 3 years , she is to scared to leave as all this bs about having to do this dumb course, ive told her she is under an australia visa, an has permission to travel
Hello Peter. The Commission for Filipinos Overseas (www.cfo.gov.ph) has been running pre-departure seminars for overseas workers and migrants (including spouses) for many years, and it’s not “all this BS” at all. It’s loaded with useful information and guidance to ensure that no Filipino leaves the country for either a long stay or a permanent stay without knowledge of their rights and how to deal with any abusive situations if they come up. Those who have attended speak very highly of it.
Now, those who leave Australia on Prospective Marriage Visas (Subclass 300) or Offshore Partner Visas (Subclass 309) are required to attend the seminar before leaving. They get a certificate of attendance, and they get a sticker in their passport stating that they’ve attended. This is Philippines Law.
Those who left Australia on tourist visas and applied successfully for Subclass 820 Onshore Partner Visas are required to attend when they visit later on. She may well have an Australian visa, but unless she gets Australian Citizenship and travels on an Australian passport she remains a Philippines Citizen and therefore subject to these laws if she visits. Again, not dumb or BS. It’s there to prevent ladies being abused and taken advantage of in new countries by those small but scary minority who like bullying women.
Your wife will need to attend if she returns traveling on a Philippines passport. Please assure her it is nothing at all to be scared of. Not a great deal of benefit to her given how long she’s been in Australia for, but will also be easier for her. You can both find further information here: https://www.cfo.gov.ph/gcp.html
Just want to ask , i have mutiple entry visa here in Australia and they give me each 3months to stay here, then leave Aus. and my question is do i have/need to go back to the Philippines again to report that i already exit Country to them? Or the Australian Immigration/Embassy will do the report that i exit the country already to the Philippines Immigration,so need for me to come back there.
It has nothing to do with Philippines Immigration. And Australian Immigration will know that you exited. It’s all computerised.
Hi i have a multiple entry visa but now im already in Australia, me and my partner talking about getting a partner visa or the visa which im allowed to work here in Australia, when i go back to philippines. Question is are we allowed to apply for partner visa while im on tourist visa? tnx
If you’re prepared to apply, yes you can. And as long as your tourist visa doesn’t have a Condition 8503 on it, which prevents further stays.
Hi! I got my multiple tourist visa in Qatar. I’m going back to the Philippines for good. Now, my question is do I have to change details as I am going to have a new address which is my address in the Philippines or they don’t care about this when I will travel to Australia again?
You should update your residential address, yes
Hi There, Just wondering i have multiple entry visitor visa for 12 months with 3 months stay each entry what should i do if do not want to leave the country ? should i apply for new 6 months visa or i must leave the country. please suggest as i am confused and visa is ending in 3 weeks. thank you in advance.
If you don’t want to leave the country, you may apply onshore inside Australia for an Onshore Tourist Visa. You may not necessarily get a 6 month stay, though. But of course you may try. Be aware that your current visa will end if a new visa is granted.
Hi there! I have a 12 month tourist visa, no 8503 restriction, but need to exit every 3 months in those 12 months. I’m planning on applying for a 2 year work sponsorship 457 visa while on the tourist visa.(already have the job lined up) Question is: if the sponsorship doesn’t get approved before the 3 month period is up (which is July 9) for the tourist visa, do I still need to exit the country and come back as per the initial tourist visa conditions while I wait for an answer on the sponsorship, or will my bridging visa kick in and will be able to stay. Thank you !
Sorry, I can’t comment. I have nothing to do with work visas. What I can tell you though is that 457 visas no longer exist, so I’m not sure what you’re doing. Suggest you find a Registered Migration Agent who specialises in work visas.
Hi Jeff am now in Australia under tourist visa but my current visa have 8503 which I manage to waive it with my husband condition,his having his treatment for his lung cAncer.now we apply again for tourist visa as my visa will end this July 4 2019.am now 11months waiting for my offshore partner visa.as I know in 12 months time they normally approve the application for temporary partner visa.my question is what happen if I have new tourist visa for 3 or 6 months will immi wait until my visa expire to finalise my partner visa ?please advice
Sorry. I can’t give specific advice as you’re not my client.
Hi! Jeff, my mum has a 8503 condition on her Sponsored Family Stream (Subclass 600) Visitor Visa but I managed to waive it. My question is, can she stay in Singapore for overnight then comeback the next day after? Please advise. Thanks.
Hey Jeff, I have a visitor Visa subclass 600. So my 3 month entry is about to end in 5 days. Please tell me when should I return back here
I can’t really advise you here when you should return, sorry. Just don’t try to treat it as a 12 month visa.
Unfortunately The relationship with my Filipino girlfriend did not work out on tourist Visa in Australia after just five weeks . She left my house under my sponsorship and I do not now where she is in Australia .She could have found another partner What are her options now will she have to travel back to the Philippines to obtain another Visa. Or could she apply for one in Australia
If your relationship has broken up, what she does at this stage is none of your business. You should advise Immigration that you are no longer together, and that you withdraw any sponsorship of her.
Hello Jeff
A dear friend of mine is visiting Australia from Brasil on a 12 month multiple entry visa with 3 month maximum stay each entry.
She will use up her current first 3 month stay shortly and then go to New Zealand for a couple of days to visit a friend and then return to Sydney re starting her next 3 month entry period in order that she can do some more traveling around NSW and NT as well as a 4 week short English course in Sydney.
Do you see any issues with this for her in terms of the re-entry from New Zealand after a couple of days?
I suggest to her to keep with the her bank balance, and her English course enrollment and and pre booked forward travel itineraries etc.
Thank kindly
Good evening! I have some queries, I am now on my 2nd tourist visa here in Australia. I am also waiting here in Australia for my spouse visa. While I am here now, for 6 months. Am I going to exit somewhere? Thank you so much!
I don’t know what type of tourist visa you have, nor do I know what type of partner visa you have
Hey Jeff,
Wanted to know on a multiple entry subclass 600, do I need to leave before my 3 months is up to ensure I can return for another 3 months?
Will staying for the whole 3 months use up my visa? I have a 12 month multiple entry with 3 months each stay but I want to make sure I can return without a problem.
You have to comply with visa conditions. You can’t overstay. If you mean should you go on the actual last day? You can, but if your flight is cancelled or you get stuck in traffic on the way to the airport you will breach your visa conditions and they will probably cancel the visa. Don’t try to be too clever. And don’t return to Australia too quickly. This is NOT a 12 month visa.
Can you tell me when your visa starts and ends. I had a visitor ( subclass 600 visa) with multiple entries I was informed by a travel agent that the clock starts for my visa when I entered Australia, however I was told by a immigration officer that the start date for the visa was the date on the grant letter. It states on the grant letter that the lenght of stay 12 months from the date of each arrival. I am confused.
A multiple entry visa (granted OUTSIDE Australia….not inside!) has a “last date to arrive by”, which is usually 12 months from the grant date. Each 3 month stay though, yes that begins when you pass through Immigration in Australia.
Hi mate ,
My mother is on Bridging Visa A and we are planning for 3 days Carnival Cruise . The departing port will be Sydney and returning port is also the same . Do she has to apply for Bridging Visa B or she can travel on Bridging Visa A as she is not leaving the country
This is just a comments page. It’s not the place for a consultation.
Hi, how are you? I applied for a 6 months tourist visa for my mother back in 2019 but covid happened(subclass 600), so when we finally heard back that she need to have health check we did try to schedule her a health check but no avail everywhere in the Philippines (the wait time was 6 months) So we decided to apply for another tourist visa(subclass 600) this year 2022 but this time for only 3 months so she doesn’t need a health check. We tried cancelling the 2019 visa application but we received an email from the migration officer that we can just “change the circumstances” rather than cancel it alltogether and can have 4-5 months which we did and by that time we already have 2 pending applications with the same subclass. To cut the story short her visa got granted subclass 600 with multiple entry and I thought it was the 2019 Visa that we applied for but it was the the 2022 subclass 600 application that got granted which I called the immigration about. And they said that it doesnt matter if she’s still got other visa application pending as the other visa will override it as its in the same subclass, he mentioned that you can have one visa under the same subclass. My mom arrived here in April 14,2022 and the 2019 visa application (600) was still being finalised which then have an option to apply for a bridging visa which then I applied for online through my immiaccount. I called the immigration in May nearly 1 1/2 months before the 3 months period exprises asking if my mom has to leave Australia as as far as I know she’s only allowed to stay here for a 3 month period each time she enters Australia on a multiple tourist Visa. So initially she has to leave in July 14,2022 but when I spoke to them they said that once her other Visa expires (I assumed when the 3 months period after her arrival in Australia) is up then the bridging visa will come into an effect. Which I have waited, but then got an a Message of refusal letter today with the original subclass 600 tourist visa I applied back in 2019 ( with Briding Visa option). My concern is I want to discuss if my mother broke any law and she has to leave Australia immidiately? and is there any visa I could apply for while she’s here in australia with an apparent expired visa.
This isn’t the place to get a consultation, sorry. This is just a comments section.