Does travel insurance cover visa refusals?

Travel insurance won't cover you if your visa application is refused by the government of the country you're travelling to.

Jessica Prasida's headshot

By

Jessica Prasida

Updated

Fact checked

Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't provide any cover if your visa application is refused by the government of your destination country. Travel insurance policies will exclude any claims that arise if you fail to obtain the appropriate visa. As a result, you won’t be reimbursed for any cancellation fees and lost deposits.

So what should I do?

If your visa is rejected, the next course of action will vary depending on which country denied you the visa. Typically you can

  • Re-apply for a visa or ask for a review. For example, if your application for a visa for the United Kingdom (UK) is rejected, you can request an administrative review of your application by filling out a review form online.
  • Ask your travel service provider if they can let you reschedule your trip. This will give time for your destination's embassy to review your new application or appeal.
  • If all else fails, ask your travel service provider for a refund. You might be able to get a partial refund back for your trip.

If you've yet to book you're trip or apply for a visa, it's important to apply for a visa well in advance of your planned travel dates. Applying early allows enough time for you to take whatever action possible without having to cancel or rebook your trip.

How do I avoid a visa refusal?

  • Understand the visa requirements for a country. Australians can read about the entry requirements for popular travel destinations on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website.
  • Understand how long it takes for a visa to get processed. If a country typically takes one to two months to process visa applications, applying a few days before your scheduled departure isn’t going to help.
  • Leave extra time for processing and knock backs. Even if you satisfy all eligibility criteria, allow extra time in case processing your application takes longer than expected or your first application is refused.
  • Apply for the visa before you book any travel arrangements. Travel insurance won’t cover your cancellation costs if your visa application is refused, so apply before you hand over any money to book your holiday.
  • Confirm with the embassy of the destination country that you have met the visa requirements. Double-check with the relevant embassy that you have satisfied all the necessary requirements to gain entry. Confirming that you will be allowed entry ahead of time can save you a whole lot of stress in the long run.

Compare travel insurance cover for cancellations and lost visas overseas

Add kids under the age of 1 by typing a "0" 0 traveller(s)

By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookies Policy and Terms of Service . By entering an email address you agree to create a Finder account. We will send you an email to setup your password.

Sources

Jessica Prasida's headshot
Travel Insurance Expert

Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio

More resources on Finder

Get rewarded $$ for switching with Finder Rewards

Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More guides on Finder

  • Best travel insurance policies Australia

    The best travel insurance policies are different for each individual traveller.

  • Bali travel insurance

    Compare Bali travel insurance quotes from over 16 brands.
  • Looking for a travel insurance discount in December 2025?

    Check out these travel insurance coupons to save on your policy.
  • Qantas Travel Insurance

    Qantas Travel Insurance offers various cover choices with the added benefit of travel points rewards for spending money on insurance when booking flights through Qantas.

  • USA travel insurance

    Ready to get moving? See quotes and compare travel insurance policies for USA from 15
    brands
  • Travel insurance for Europe

    Keep yourself and your belongings safe on your European escape by comparing insurance polices today.
  • Cruise travel insurance

    A guide to understanding cruise insurance - why you need it, what's covered, and what's not.

  • Travel insurance for backpackers

    Review affordable backpacker insurance for your next overseas adventure and find the right insurance policy to cover commonplace backpacking travel risks.
  • Domestic travel insurance: Australia

    Domestic travel insurance can provide cover for trip cancellation (domestic flights), loss or damage to luggage and expensive items, car rental excess charges and much more. Find out why domestic travel insurance is worth getting and compare policies from Australian insurers.
  • 1Cover Travel Insurance

    Read the 1Cover Travel Insurance review and compare policy options available. Access discounts to help you save even further on cover.
Go to site