How to Withdraw an Australian Visa Application Before a Decision
Withdraw a pending Australian visa application through ImmiAccount or by written notice, and check the consequences for fees, other applicants and bridging visas.
AU Australia
Immigration & Travel ~ 7 min read
7 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-22
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You can withdraw an Australian visa application before Home Affairs makes a decision by giving written notice. For applications managed in ImmiAccount, you can withdraw online through ImmiAccount. Once withdrawn, the application is disposed of and cannot be considered further. Visa application charges are not usually refunded. If you are in Australia on a bridging visa linked to the application, check your immigration status before withdrawing because that bridging visa may later cease.
What you need
- The visa application must still be pending; withdrawal must occur before Home Affairs makes a decision.
- The withdrawal must be given to Home Affairs in writing, as required by section 49 of the Migration Act 1958.
- For an application managed through ImmiAccount, use the withdrawal function available in ImmiAccount.
- If using Form 1446, provide the application details, applicant details and the required signed and dated declaration.
- Each applicant who is withdrawing generally needs to provide written consent. Withdrawing one applicant from a combined application does not automatically withdraw the applications of the other applicants.
- A parent or guardian must sign for an applicant under 18 where Form 1446 is used.
Eligibility
An applicant with a pending Australian visa application may withdraw it by written notice before a decision is made. A person with clear authority, such as an authorised migration representative, may act for an applicant where the applicable requirements are met. Withdrawal is different from a visa refusal: under section 49 of the Migration Act 1958, an application withdrawn before refusal is taken to have been disposed of and is not treated as a refusal for sections 48 and 48A. Applicants in Australia should check the effect on any bridging visa associated with the withdrawn substantive visa application before submitting the withdrawal.
How to do it
- Check that Home Affairs has not already decided the visa application.
- If you are in Australia, check your current visa and any bridging visa linked to the pending application before withdrawing.
- For an application available in ImmiAccount, sign in and use the option to withdraw the application.
- If you need to provide a written withdrawal outside the online process, use the withdrawal method specified by Home Affairs for your application. Form 1446 can be used to give written notice and can be attached in ImmiAccount or sent to the relevant processing centre.
- Make sure every applicant who is intended to withdraw provides the required consent. Do not assume that withdrawing the main applicant automatically withdraws other applicants in a combined application.
- Keep a copy of the withdrawal notice, form and attachments for your records.
- After withdrawal, check your immigration status and any Home Affairs correspondence. If you later want that visa, you generally need to make a new application.
When can you withdraw an Australian visa application?
Section 49 of the Migration Act 1958 allows a visa applicant to withdraw an application by written notice given to the Minister. The practical deadline is important: you can withdraw the application while it is still pending, before Home Affairs has made its decision.
Once an application is withdrawn, it is taken to have been disposed of. Home Affairs cannot continue considering that withdrawn application. If you later want to be considered for the visa, you generally need to lodge a new visa application.
How to withdraw through ImmiAccount
Home Affairs confirms that after submitting an application you can use ImmiAccount to check messages and application status, update details and withdraw an application.
- Access the ImmiAccount containing or linked to the application.
- Open the relevant pending visa application.
- Use the available withdrawal function and provide the information or documents requested by Home Affairs.
- Review the withdrawal carefully before submitting it.
- Keep your withdrawal confirmation and related correspondence.
Do not confuse withdrawal with simply removing an application from an account or stopping work on it. A lodged visa application must be formally withdrawn.
When written withdrawal or Form 1446 is used
The Migration Act requires written notice. Home Affairs Form 1446, Withdrawal of a visa application, can be used to provide that notice. The form asks for details identifying the application and applicant, including the application or file reference, visa type and subclass, applicant identity details and a signed declaration.
Home Affairs states on Form 1446 that the completed form can be attached within ImmiAccount or sent to the relevant processing centre. The relevant processing centre can be identified from the acknowledgement correspondence for the application.
Some paper-based visa categories have a specific Home Affairs online withdrawal form. For example, Home Affairs provides a dedicated withdrawal process for listed Parent, Child and Other Family visas. Follow the channel specified for the particular application rather than assuming every paper application uses the same form.
What happens to other applicants on a combined application?
Withdrawal by the main applicant does not automatically withdraw every other applicant included in a combined application. Home Affairs states that written withdrawal generally needs to be provided by each applicant who wants to withdraw.
Form 1446 can include multiple applicants from a combined visa application. Its declaration must be signed and dated by the relevant applicants aged 18 or over, while a parent or guardian signs for an applicant under 18.
Home Affairs also confirms for specified paper-based family applications that applications of remaining applicants continue to be considered unless those applications are also withdrawn.
What happens to your bridging visa after withdrawal?
If you are physically in Australia, this is the most important issue to check before withdrawing. A bridging visa associated with the substantive visa application can cease after the underlying application is withdrawn.
Home Affairs states that an associated bridging visa granted on or after 19 November 2016 generally ceases 35 calendar days after withdrawal. Its published withdrawal material states that an associated bridging visa granted before 19 November 2016 ceases 28 calendar days after withdrawal. The Migration Regulations 1994 also contain 35-day cessation provisions for relevant current bridging visa subclasses after withdrawal of the associated substantive visa application.
The exact effect depends on the bridging visa and your circumstances. If you do not hold another visa when the relevant bridging visa ceases, you can become an unlawful non-citizen. Do not withdraw first and investigate your lawful status afterwards.
If you need to remain lawfully in Australia while resolving your status, the separate procedure on applying for a Bridging Visa E explains that visa's specific purpose. If you currently hold a visa and need to verify its expiry and conditions, see how to check your visa in VEVO.
Can Home Affairs continue deciding the application?
No. Section 49 of the Migration Act provides that a withdrawn visa application is taken to have been disposed of. Home Affairs also states that once an application has been withdrawn, no further action can be taken on it.
Withdrawal before a refusal is legally different from having the visa refused. Section 49 specifically provides that, for sections 48 and 48A of the Act, the Minister is not taken to have refused the visa where the application is withdrawn before refusal.
Do you get the visa application charge back?
Usually no. Home Affairs states that it does not usually refund the visa application charge when an application is withdrawn. Section 49 of the Migration Act likewise provides, subject to the regulations, that fees payable for a withdrawn application are not refundable.
There are limited circumstances in which refunds can be available under the applicable rules. Home Affairs also states that a second instalment of the visa application charge is not payable if the application is withdrawn before that second instalment has been paid.
Do you need to give a reason for withdrawing?
Form 1446 includes a field for the reason for withdrawal, but Home Affairs states on the form that you do not need to provide a reason for withdrawing the visa application.
The important requirements are that the withdrawal is validly communicated in writing, relates clearly to the correct application and is made by the applicant or a person with appropriate authority.
Check whether withdrawal is actually necessary
A change in your circumstances does not always mean that you need to withdraw the application. For example, if you only need to change your contact details while the application remains pending, use the procedure for updating your address, email or phone details.
If your concern is travel while another visa application is pending, withdrawal may also be the wrong solution. Where applicable to your situation, review the separate process for applying for a Bridging Visa B.
Common withdrawal mistakes to avoid
- Do not wait until after a decision and expect the application to be treated as withdrawn before that decision.
- Do not assume that withdrawing the main applicant automatically withdraws every secondary applicant.
- Do not assume that the visa application charge will automatically be refunded.
- If you are in Australia, do not withdraw without checking the consequences for an associated bridging visa and your lawful status.
- Do not assume that closing or removing something from an online account is the same as formally withdrawing a lodged application.
- Keep copies of the withdrawal notice and supporting documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw my Australian visa application through ImmiAccount?
Yes. Home Affairs states that a submitted application can be withdrawn through ImmiAccount where the application is managed there.
Can I withdraw my visa application after Home Affairs has made a decision?
No. Withdrawal is a step for a pending application. The Migration Act allows an applicant to withdraw before the application has been decided; once Home Affairs has already granted or refused the visa, withdrawal of that application is no longer the applicable process.
Will I receive a refund if I withdraw my Australian visa application?
Usually not. Home Affairs states that visa application charges are not usually refunded when an application is withdrawn, although limited refund circumstances can apply.
Does withdrawing the main applicant also withdraw family members?
No. Withdrawal by one applicant does not automatically withdraw the applications of other applicants in a combined application. Each applicant who is withdrawing generally needs to provide the required written consent.
What happens to my bridging visa if I withdraw my visa application?
An associated bridging visa may later cease. Home Affairs states that an associated bridging visa granted on or after 19 November 2016 generally ceases 35 calendar days after withdrawal; older associated bridging visas covered by its withdrawal guidance have a 28-day period. Check your specific visa status before withdrawing.
Do I need to explain why I am withdrawing my visa application?
Form 1446 states that you do not need to provide a reason for the withdrawal, although the form provides space for a reason if you choose to give one.
Can I apply for an Australian visa again after withdrawing?
A withdrawn application cannot be reopened for further consideration. Home Affairs states that if you want to be considered for a visa in the future, you need to make a new visa application, subject to the eligibility and application rules that apply at that time.
Official sources
Department of Home Affairs - You want to withdraw an applicationDepartment of Home Affairs - Form 1446 Withdrawal of a visa applicationDepartment of Home Affairs - After you applyDepartment of Home Affairs - Withdrawal of Parent, Child and Other Family visa applicationsDepartment of Home Affairs - Visa application charge refundsFederal Register of Legislation - Migration Act 1958, section 49Federal Register of Legislation - Migration Regulations 1994Related procedures
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