Comm Games visa hunt 'annoying': Dutton

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says it's "annoying" that border force officers have to hunt down about 50 athletes and staff who overstayed their visas after the Commonwealth Games.

"It's an annoying transaction cost of ... a Games or having an event," Mr Dutton told 2GB radio on Thursday.

Mr Dutton said about 190 people have been given bridging visas while they wait for their case to be heard, while a further 15 have applied for visas.

The other 50 have "gone to ground" and Australian Border Force officers are conducting operations to find them.

Mr Dutton said Australia also refused to issue some visas before the Games, which were held on the Gold Coast.