Waiting won’t help. A Visitor (subclass 600) visa applied for from within Australia can only be granted while the applicant is in Australia at the time of grant. While your mother is in Iran, the visa cannot lawfully be granted, and refusal is effectively certain. It is better to withdraw the application through ImmiAccount before a decision is made.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 0854826), says this is a common situation for families whose parents come to Australia for a visit. In his view, the right decision here does not depend on a case officer’s discretion. It is a clear legal rule, and understanding it gives the family peace of mind.
Why can’t the extended visa be granted after your mother has left?
The legislative instrument that set the subclass 600 rules in 2013 (SLI 2013 No. 32) provides that if an applicant was in Australia when the application was lodged, they must also be in Australia when the visa is granted. Under the same rules, all requirements must be met at the time the application is decided. So the fact that your mother’s application was made onshore is exactly what makes a grant impossible in her absence. The option of “waiting for the visa to be granted and then returning on it” does not exist in practice.
Can my mother return to Australia on a bridging visa?
No. The bridging visa granted after the extension application was lodged only allowed her to stay in Australia until the primary application was decided. According to the Department of Home Affairs’ guidance on travelling on a bridging visa, only a Bridging visa B allows its holder to leave and return. To come back, your mother needs a new visa, for example a fresh application in the Tourist stream lodged from outside Australia.
When to withdraw the application, and the cost
An application can only be withdrawn before a decision is made. Once a decision has been issued, withdrawal is no longer possible. So if you intend to withdraw, do it early so the file does not reach the decision stage. As for cost, under the Department of Home Affairs’ published policy, visa application charges are generally not refunded, whether the application is withdrawn or refused.
One more point matters. Withdrawing the application does not mean no trace of it remains on your mother’s migration record. In future applications, answer the form’s questions about visa history carefully and with complete honesty. A transparent, well-prepared file is the best foundation for the family’s future travel.
If you would like your mother’s return to go smoothly and without mistakes, from withdrawing the current application to preparing a new one from Iran, contact Dr. Sirous Ahmadi so that he can personally review your family’s file and set out the next steps clearly.
Read the full legal breakdown ←
This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on November 5, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi Registered Migration Agent 0854826
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.