What can I do if my passport has expired?

In order to travel internationally or apply for another visa, or even use your passport for ID you will need to hold a valid passport. This means that your passport cannot have expired. In Australia, the visa you have is electronically linked to your passport. If you have a new passport, it is very simple to update it with immigration so that your visa is electronically linked to your new passport.

If you currently have a valid Australian visa (if you are onshore or offshore) and have a new passport, you can update immigration of your new passport. You can usually do this through your immigration portal. There is a link on another video on how to do this below.

Once you have received a new passport, your previous passport will be invalid and you will not be able to use this for future visa applications.

To update your passport is a relatively simple process to do and something that should be done once you receive your new passport. It can be updated instantly through the online immigration portal.

You will need to have a clear scan copy of your new passport.

Login to your immi portal: https://online.immi.gov.au/ola/app

Click on Update Details (on the left side of the page)

Then click on change of passport details:

You would then enter the details of your new passport and attach a clear scan of your new passport. Once you submit it your new passport will be electronically linked to your visa. This would then be updated automatically be immigration once it is lodged and you will receive an email confirming that the passport has been updated.

I hope you find this helpful, if you do have any immigration questions, feel free to contact Pathway to Aus.

If you are currently in Australia and your passport has expired (or is about to expire), you should contact your home countries Embassy or Consulate in Australia. Each country may have a different process of applying for a passport. Some countries allow you to apply online or through the post. Other countries will require you to attend the embassy or consulate in person to apply.

As each county has a different process of applying for a passport, this is impossible to answer. Many countries can issue you with an emergency passport very quickly (within a few days). The emergency passport would allow you to bridge the time taken to receive your actual passport.

Some countries, that have the ability to issue passports in their Embassies or Consulates within Australia will be able to provide a new passport within a few days or weeks. Other countries with limited international resources (Eg- the ability to only issue a passport in their home country) may take months.

We would recommend allowing at least 6 – 12 months to obtain a new passport.

Recently, we have noticed that many visa holders are struggling to obtain a new passport due to COVID. Because of COVID many Embassies and Consulates are closed around the world. This has resulted in massive delays in the issuing of new passport, especially for smaller countries.

Please note, technically you cannot apply for a visa unless you have a valid passport. You cannot travel internationally as well. Immigration may provide some leniency in these difficult times, but there is no guarantee.

If you do not believe you will be able to obtain a new passport before your visa expires, we would recommend contacting immigration as far in advance as possible.

If you do nothing, and your passport and visa are both expired, technically you would become unlawful in Australia. Once you receive a new passport, you may find your future visa options very limited. You may be able to apply for a bridging visa E, but you would have very limited future visa options. We would always recommend you do not become unlawful.

We would recommend applying for a new passport when you still have 12 months validity on your current passport. Especially if you are currently not in your home country, as the processing of passport from offshore can take considerably longer.

Most visas in Australia you can apply for as long as you have a valid passport (even a day). Please note, if your passport expires after you have lodged the visa, you would need to provide immigration with your new passport details before the visa is granted.