How do you withdraw a visa application?
To withdraw a visa application, follow the Home Affairs “Withdraw a visa application” page:
- Firstly, open the application in ImmiAccount: choose View → Update details → “withdrawal of a visa application”.
- Secondly, if the link is missing, complete Form 1446.
- Thirdly, arrange the signatures: each applicant aged 18 or over who wants to withdraw signs. A parent or guardian signs for an applicant under 18. Form 1446 also permits withdrawal by someone with clear authority to act for the applicant.
- Finally, note when it takes effect: Home Affairs says withdrawal is effective immediately on receipt, although written notice may take a few days to arrive.
Section 49(1) of the Migration Act 1958 requires written notice to the Minister; under section 49(2), the withdrawn application is taken to be disposed of. Removing it from ImmiAccount is not that notice and does not withdraw it, as Home Affairs’ “Apply and manage your application” page confirms.
Form 1446: withdrawal of a visa application
Form 1446 is Home Affairs’ “Withdrawal of a visa application”, with design date 07/17. Download the official Form 1446 PDF, rather than using a third-party form-filling service.
Form 1446 permits an applicant, or someone with clear authority to act for them, to withdraw. A parent or guardian signs for an applicant under 18. The form states that the visa application charge applies whatever the outcome and that refunds are available only in very limited circumstances, using Form 1424.
Is the visa application charge refunded after withdrawal?
Generally no. Section 49(4) of the Migration Act 1958 makes fees for a withdrawn application non-refundable, subject to the Regulations.
Home Affairs’ “Get a refund” page, updated 24 September 2026, lists mandatory refunds where:
- the application was unnecessary when made;
- a departmental mistake caused it, without contribution from the applicant;
- the applicant died before a decision;
- sponsorship or nomination was unsuccessful; or
- a circumstance set by an instrument applies.
The same page describes a discretionary refund for your own mistake about the visa class, stream or duration. The sequence matters: withdraw first, request the refund second, then lodge and pay for the correct visa. Meeting that sequence does not turn a discretionary refund into an automatic entitlement.
What happens to your bridging visa after withdrawal?
A bridging visa associated with the withdrawn application has a separate end date. Home Affairs’ “Withdraw a visa application” page says a BVA or BVB granted on or after 19 November 2016 ceases 35 days after withdrawal is notified; one granted before that date ceases after 28 days.
Under clause 020.511(1)(b)(iv) of the Migration Regulations 1994, a Bridging visa A granted with the application on or after that date ends on that 35th day. Home Affairs says you become unlawful afterwards unless you hold another visa. Do not confuse the immediate withdrawal of the application with the later cessation of the bridging visa.
Withdrawal, refusal and section 48
Withdrawal before refusal is not a refusal for section 48 or section 48A, under section 49(3) of the Migration Act 1958. It does not itself trigger the section 48 bar.
Section 48 applies to a non-citizen in Australia without a substantive visa who has had a relevant refusal or cancellation since their last entry. It restricts further onshore applications to classes prescribed in regulation 2.12 of the Migration Regulations 1994. A pending review does not lift the restriction.
Section 48 excludes refusal of a bridging visa and refusals under sections 501, 501A or 501B. It also applies only to someone without a substantive visa. Those exclusions concern section 48, not every possible restriction on a further application.
Withdrawing one family member's application
Withdrawing one family member’s application does not withdraw everyone else’s, even when the person withdrawing is the main applicant. Home Affairs’ Form 1446 says each applicant generally gives notice, and the remaining applicants retain applications that must be decided.
Home Affairs’ “Withdraw a visa application” page says children’s applications are not withdrawn automatically. If the other parent lodged a child’s application, you need that parent’s written consent or a court order giving you sole authority to withdraw it.
Withdrawing an 858: the EOI (by email) and the visa application (Form 1446) are withdrawn differently
The National Innovation visa EOI uses Home Affairs’ separate online EOI form, rather than an ImmiAccount visa application. Its “After submission” page directs withdrawal by email to National.Innovation@homeaffairs.gov.au, with your name, date of birth and EOI reference, before expiry or invitation.
That page permits a new EOI only after a significant change in circumstances or new achievement claims, with the old EOI withdrawn.
The visa application uses Form 47NI (Internet) through ImmiAccount, under the arrangements amended by LIN 24/078. Withdraw it through Update details or Form 1446, following Home Affairs’ withdrawal instructions. The Migration Regulations 1994 set the main applicant’s base charge at $6,235 from 1 July 2026; section 49(4) of the Migration Act 1958 means it is generally not refunded on withdrawal.
If the primary applicant withdraws: clause 858.321(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires a family applicant to belong to the family unit of someone who holds an 858 granted on the primary criteria. The Regulations require that primary grant, so family members left in the withdrawn primary applicant’s case cannot meet the secondary criteria through that application.
A new 858 application needs a new invitation and must be lodged within its stated period under item 1113(3A) of the Migration Regulations 1994. Home Affairs’ EOI “After submission” page states 60 days from invitation, with no extension.
Frequently asked questions
Can you withdraw a permanent residence application?
Yes. Section 49 of the Migration Act 1958 permits withdrawal by written notice before decision. Home Affairs’ withdrawal page says it is no longer possible once the visa is granted.
What happens if you withdraw a visa application?
Under section 49, it is disposed of and the charge is generally not refunded. Home Affairs says withdrawal takes effect on receipt; an associated BVA or BVB granted on or after 19 November 2016 ends 35 days after withdrawal is notified.
How do you submit Form 1446?
Home Affairs’ withdrawal page says to use Form 1446 when the withdrawal link is missing from ImmiAccount’s Update details. Each applicant aged 18 or over who wants to withdraw signs. Check the submission instructions with Home Affairs; do not assume a paper delivery address.
Is Form 1446 the same as Form 1436?
No. Home Affairs’ Form 1436 adds a partner or dependent child after lodgement. Form 1446 withdraws a visa application.
Does deleting an application from ImmiAccount withdraw it?
No. Home Affairs’ “Apply and manage your application” page says removing an application from the account does not withdraw it.
Does withdrawing count as a refusal?
No. Section 49(3) of the Migration Act 1958 says an application withdrawn before refusal is not taken to have been refused for section 48.
Before you withdraw an 858 application
If your circumstances changed, consider reporting the change instead. Section 104 of the Migration Act 1958 requires written notification as soon as practicable when a change makes an answer incorrect. Home Affairs’ 858 page also lists wanting to withdraw among reportable changes. See changes to report while an 858 is processed.
If you fear refusal, weigh the review route against withdrawal. An eligible onshore refusal is reviewable at the ART under section 338(2). Section 347 sets a 28-day application deadline after notification, or 14 days in immigration detention, without extension. Withdrawal disposes of the application rather than producing a refusal to review. The guide to 858 visa rejection sets out refusal reasons and the review route.
A refusal in Australia without a substantive visa triggers section 48. Class BX is not prescribed in regulation 2.12, so a fresh 858 application in that situation would have to be made outside Australia. Before decision, section 55 permits further relevant information, which Home Affairs must consider; it need not wait for it.
For the whole file, read changing or withdrawing an 858 application alongside the 858 visa overview.
Before withdrawing, ask an Australian migration lawyer to check the withdrawal’s effective date, fee position, family members’ remaining applications, section 48 consequences and any review deadline against your file.