What Happens to Me if My Student Visa Is About to Expire?

As an international student in Australia, the approaching expiry date of your student visa (Subclass 500) can bring anxiety about your next steps. Now is the time to investigate which visa subclass is suitable for your next visa pathway if the aim is to remain in Australia.

What Options Before Your Student Visa Expires?

If you plan to continue your studies by enrolling in a new course or extending your current studies, you can apply for a new Student Visa (SC 500). You must meet all eligibility criteria, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, and provide a new Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). Attempt to avoid “visa hopping” as that may result in visa refusal.
Alternatively, if you have recently completed an eligible Australian qualification, the SC485 visa allows you to stay and work in Australia temporarily. This is a common pathway for many international graduates to gain work experience. You must apply within 6 months of completing your course and meet specific English language, age and skill assessment requirements, depending on the visa stream.
If you have skills in demand in Australia, you might be eligible for a Skilled visa through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, which can lead to permanent residency (PR). This typically involves having a suitable skills assessment, meeting points test criteria, and potentially securing state nomination or employer sponsorship.
Another option is that if you are in a genuine and continuing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible to apply for a Partner Visa.
If you do not wish to remain in Australia, you must leave the country before your Student Visa expires.

What Happens if You Don’t Act on Time?

If your student visa expires and you have not:

Applied for a new substantive visa; or
Departed Australia

You will be overstaying your visa and become an unlawful non-citizen. This has severe consequences:

You will have no legal right to remain in Australia.
You are liable for immigration detention and forced removal (deportation) from Australia.
You will likely be subject to re-entry bans such as Public Interest Criteria (PIC) 4014 for a 3-year visa ban.
Additionally, having unlawful marks on your immigration record can make it difficult to obtain future Australian visas.

What Can You Do Now?

Do not wait until the last minute; start exploring your options a couple of months before your Student Visa expires.
Begin collecting all necessary documents for your next visa applications, such as academic transcripts, English test results, police checks and more.
Consult with an experienced immigration lawyer for professional advice and guidance on your next best steps. If you are now an unlawful non-citizen, consider speaking with an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law as they specialise in highly complex visa cases.

Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

The expiry of your student visa (sc500) is a critical moment. Be timely and proactive in your planning and action to protect your future immigration prospects. Contact Agape Henry Crux and speak with one of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law for tailored advice and assistance is your best way forward. The team of immigration lawyers specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English and Mandarin. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

Our founder and principal lawyer, Jason Ling, has been recognised in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™. Agape Henry Crux is named as Best Immigration Law Firm 2025 - Sydney by APAC Insider Awards.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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