You want to withdraw an application

If we have not yet granted the visa

If you applied online, you can withdraw your visa application in ImmiAccount before we make a decision.

You cannot withdraw your application by removing the application.

To withdraw your application:

• Log in to ImmiAccount
• Select ‘view’ to open your application
• Select ‘Update details’
• Select ‘withdrawal of a visa application’

If you can’t see the link to the withdrawal of visa application form, complete Form 1446 Withdrawal of a visa application. Everyone in the application aged 18 or older must sign the form.

Attach the form to your application. If you applied on paper, email the completed form to the place processing your application. Once we have received the request to withdraw a visa application, it takes effect immediately. The application status in ImmiAccount however may take a bit longer to show as ‘Finalised’.

Your Immigration Status (for applicants in Australia) after the withdrawal of your visa application

If you hold a bridging visa that was granted before 19 November 2016, in association with the application being withdrawn, that bridging visa will cease to be in effect 28 calendar days from the date that you notify us of the withdrawal.

If you hold a bridging visa that was granted on or after 19 November 2016, in association with the application being withdrawn, that bridging visa will cease to be in effect 35 calendar days from the date that you notify us of the withdrawal.

Unless you are the holder of another visa or you have been granted Australian Citizenship, you will be an unlawful non-citizen following the cessation of your bridging visa and may be subject to Immigration detention and removal from Australia

Visa application charges are paid to assess your application. You can’t get a refund just because your application was withdrawn.

Form 1424 - Refund request) lists the limited situations that refunds can be granted.

For more information, see Getting a refund

Withdrawing as a proposer of an applicant for a Global Special Humanitarian visa

If you wish to withdraw your proposal, write us a letter that includes:

• your full name and date of birth
• the file reference number (FRN) for the application
• a statement that you withdraw your proposal

Email the letter to the place processing your application.

If we have granted the visa

You can't withdraw an application after we have granted the visa. All you can do is apply for a different visa.

Withdrawing as a proposer of an applicant for a Global Special Humanitarian visa

If we have already granted the visa, you can't withdraw as a proposer.

You can withdraw your citizenship application, or an application you lodged on behalf of your child before a decision on the application is made.

If you applied online

• Log in to ImmiAccount
• Select ‘View details’ to open the application
• Select ‘Update details’
• Select ‘Withdrawal of application’

You must select your name and the names of all others included in your application who are requesting withdrawal. This includes any dependent children.

You can also follow these instructions if you imported your paper application into your ImmiAccount

Upload a signed consent statement to withdraw the application for you and all others included in the withdrawal request:

• Applicants aged 16 years or over must sign the consent statement.
• Applicants aged under 16 years must have their responsible parent sign the consent statement on their behalf.

We will email you when we have actioned the withdrawal request.

If you applied by paper application

You will need to tell us in writing that you want to withdraw the application. Include the following information:

• Full names and dates of birth of all people included in your application (including any dependent children) who are requesting withdrawal
• Application ID or Transaction Reference Number (TRN) for your application
• A signed consent statement to withdraw the application must be attached for you and each applicant included in the withdrawal request:
  • Applicants aged 16 years or over must sign the consent statement.
  • Applicants aged under 16 years must have their responsible parent sign the consent statement on their behalf.

Signed consent statement to withdraw

Use this suggested text in your signed consent statement to withdraw an application:

“I consent to the withdrawal of my / my child [full name of the child]'s citizenship application.

I acknowledge that after the citizenship application has been withdrawn, the application is taken to have been disposed of and no further consideration will be given to it.

I understand that withdrawing my application will not automatically entitle me to a refund of the citizenship application fee.”

Otherwise, post your request to withdraw the application and all signed statements to the address used to lodge your application.

We will tell you in writing when we have actioned the withdrawal request.

Withdrawing your application does not automatically withdraw your dependent children’s applications. Make sure you include your dependent children in your withdrawal request.

If another parent lodged the application on behalf of the child and you wish to withdraw that child’s application, you must:

• tell us in writing
• attach evidence that proves you have authority to request the withdrawal, such as:
  • written consent from the other parent, or
  • a court order that gives you sole authority to act on behalf of the child.

You can't withdraw an application after we have made a decision on it. This includes where we have approved an application, but you have not been invited to or attended an Australian citizenship ceremony.

You may not be entitled to a refund if your application is withdrawn. 

The limited circumstances when we can give a refund are listed in Form 1424 - Refund request.

For more information, see our Getting a refund page.