November 1 2026:
Protection Visa Changes

Changes for protection visa applicants start today, 1 November 2026, with very little notice.

According to the Explanatory Statement, the reforms aim to strengthen the integrity of the protection visa framework, discourage unmeritorious applications, and keep protection pathways focused on people with genuine protection needs.

Here is what has changed and what it means.

1. Upfront ART review fee

Anyone seeking merits review of a protection visa refusal or cancellation decision must now pay the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) up front. The fee is refundable if the review is successful. Applicants in immigration detention are exempt.

2. No more Bridging Visa B

Applicants for a Protection (Class XA) visa can no longer make a valid application for, or be granted, a Bridging Visa B. This applies to people at the primary stage and to those pursuing merits or judicial review.

3. Travel is now a serious risk

Without a Bridging Visa B, protection applicants will generally have no bridging visa with travel rights. If you depart Australia while your protection matter is ongoing, you may not be able to return.

4. Extra conditions for some Bridging Visa E holders

The Minister’s discretion to impose condition 8564 (must not engage in criminal conduct) and condition 8566 (Code of Behaviour) on certain Bridging Visa E grants has been restored. Breaching either condition may lead to visa cancellation.

This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Please obtain advice on your own circumstances.

#MigrationLaw #AustralianImmigration #AustralianVisa

Current as at 1 Nov 2026