People in Australia who have overstayed their visa or have a bridging visa are being encouraged to take advice to sort out their situation.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) points out that it has a Community Status Resolution Service (CSRS) which is free and works with people who need to resolve issues with their visas.

A spokesman said it is better to contact the service and sort things out than worry about being in the country without the correct paperwork.

passport-visa

"When you approach us with an expired Australian visa, or a Bridging visa E, you can be referred to the CSRS if you need help to resolve your immigration matter. A Community Status Resolution officer will be able to give you information about your immigration or departure options, answer your questions and connect you with organisations for further assistance if needed," the spokesman explained.

"If you cooperate with us to resolve your immigration status, we can grant you a Bridging visa E. This lets you stay in Australia for a short time while you finalise your immigration matter," he pointed out.

He also explained that the DIBP regularly conducts compliance activity to locate people living in the community unlawfully. "If you are found in the community without a visa, you could be detained and removed from Australia. You could face a three year re-entry ban from visiting Australia again," he added.

The DIBP says there is a choice for people with unresolved visa issues; if they are thinking about going home anyway they can leave Australia at any time, even if they don't have a valid visa.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) may be able to help plan a return home. However, anyone who arrived in Australia illegally by boat cannot apply for a further bridging visa.

The CSRS holds outreach sessions in some regional areas around Australia. People can approach officials at one of these sessions to talk to a CSRS officer about and expired visa or a Bridging visa E.

"The CSRS will give you clear and correct information about appropriate immigration or departure options, answer your questions and connect you with organisations for further assistance if needed," the DIBP spokesman said.

"You can phone the CSRS for information about expired visas or Bridging visa Es. You can do this anonymously and seek general information or you can speak to the operator in more detail about your circumstances," he added.