New rule in effect from 1 November 2026:
From 1 November 2026, Protection visa (subclass 866) applicants can no longer apply for a Bridging visa B to travel overseas and return to….
Read the update·Official source (opens in a new tab)
News
Australian immigration news
Official updates from the Department of Home Affairs and the Federal Register of Legislation, each labelled with what it means today and linked to its source.
Important immigration updates
Visa processing and application changesRule in effect · 1 Nov 2026
From 1 November 2026, Protection visa (subclass 866) applicants can no longer apply for a Bridging visa B to travel overseas and return to…
· Department of Home Affairs
From 1 November 2026, Protection visa (subclass 866) applicants can no longer apply for a Bridging visa B to travel overseas and return to Australia. This change does not affect Bridging visa B applications lodged before 1 November 2026 - those applications will continue to be processed.
The legislative instrument Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 was made on 29 October 2026 and registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 31 October 2026. The Register lists its status as in force. Read the instrument for what it changes and when.
Employer-sponsored visasApplies from a future date · 12 Nov 2026
Training visa updated requirements
· Department of Home Affairs
From 12 November 2026, applicants must be outside Australia when they apply for a Training visa (subclass 407), and when we grant it. For more information, visit Changes to Training visa 407 application rules. Make sure you know how the new rules affect you before making visa, training, travel or relocation plans
Visa processing and application changesOfficial update
We prioritise applications for the Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa under Ministerial Direction No. 122
· Department of Home Affairs
We are currently processing applications that were lodged in or before: October 2026 – Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, and Resources sectors, or in Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Visa processing and application changesOfficial update
We prioritise applications for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa under Ministerial Direction No. 122
· Department of Home Affairs
We are currently processing applications that were lodged in or before: June 2025 – Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, and Resources sectors, or in Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Visa processing and application changesOfficial update
We prioritise applications for the Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) visa (Points-tested stream) under Ministerial Direction No. 122
· Department of Home Affairs
We are currently processing applications that were lodged in or before: October 2026 – Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, and Resources sectors, or in Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Visa processing and application changesOfficial update
We prioritise visa applications for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa under Ministerial Direction 122
· Department of Home Affairs
We are currently processing visa applications that were lodged in: November 2025 – Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, and Resources sectors, or Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Visa processing and application changesOfficial update
866 - Protection visa for asylum seekers
· Department of Home Affairs
From 1 November, people waiting for a Protection Visa application decision cannot get a Bridging visa B to travel outside Australia and return. We will still process Bridging visa B applications lodged before 1 November.
The legislative instrument Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Application Requirements) Regulations 2026 was made on 29 October 2026 and registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 30 October 2026. The Register lists its status as in force. Read the instrument for what it changes and when.
Certain TPV holders and former holders may be eligible to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status (RoS) visa (subclass 851). Only TPV and SHEV holders who first arrived in Australia on or after 14 February 2023 are eligible to apply for a subsequent TPV or SHEV
