Bridging and Temporary Visa Extensions: What's Changing
Compliance settings are tightening across bridging, temporary and working holiday visas. Know where you stand before your visa expires.
- Bridging Visa (BVE) compliance tightening
- Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) cap changes
- Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) cap changes
What's Changing Before Your Visa Expires
Bridging & Visitor Visas
Bridging Visas and the New Rules
Temporary visa holders face a series of tightening measures, introduced in stages through 2026.
Visa Switching Restrictions
Since 2 February 2026, onshore switching between visa subclasses has been tightened, part of a broader effort to close pathways commonly described as visa hopping.
Visitor Visa "No Further Stay" Condition
Announced 17 September 2026, this limits the ability of visitors to extend a short stay into a longer one.
Overstayer Enforcement
Stronger action is being taken against visa overstayers, announced alongside the visitor visa changes.
Migration Agent Oversight
The government will move to sanction and deregister agents who encourage clients to lodge claims that game the system rather than reflect a genuine case.
Bridging Visa Compliance
Compliance monitoring for bridging visa holders awaiting a decision is being tightened alongside these changes.
Subclass 417 & Subclass 462
Working Holiday Visa Changes
Burke confirmed a new ballot system for working holiday visas.
Second Year Cap
Subclass 417 and Subclass 462 visa holders face a cap of 45,000 places, with 88 days of regional work still required before entering the ballot.
Third Year Cap
The ballot for a third year is restricted to just 5,000 places.
Talk to Us Before Your Visa Expires
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2026
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Check Your Visa Options With Our Team
If you hold a bridging visa, a visitor visa, or a working holiday visa and you're unsure how these changes affect you, get in touch with our team. We're available seven days a week.
- Guidance on 2026 visa extension changes
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