Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) Australia

Bridging Visa B allows you to travel out of Australia and return back in Australia, until your substantive visa application is being determined, or where BVA granted in association with judicial review, until those proceedings are pending.

Bridging Visa B (BVB) Australia

Bridging visa b is a temporary visa that is applied when you hold bridging visa a while being onshore inside Australia, and have compelling reasons to travel outside Australia. Without BVB you wont be able to return back to Australia, if you are holder of a bridging visa a, or bridging visa c, or bridging visa d, or bridging visa e. You can do the following while being the holder of BVB:

• You can stay lawfully in Australia until your substantive visa application is finally determined, or where granted in association with judicial review, then until those proceedings are completed.
• You can leave and return to Australia within the defined travel period on your BVB, while your application for a substantive visa is being processed.
• You can work, if your BVB allows you to work.

When to apply for a BVB

You should consider your circumstances before you apply for the bridging visa b. You can only apply for and be granted a BVB if you are in Australia. When The Department of Home Affairs considers your application for a BVB, it will take into account when it is likely to make a decision on your substantive visa application, to avoid unnecessary delaying the process. It is recommended that you apply for a BVB no more than 3 months and no less than 2 weeks before you want to travel.

How to Apply Bridging Visa B

To apply for a BVB, the person must complete form 1005 or 1005 (Internet), form 1006 or 1006 (Internet). Although these forms are all specified by the Australian migration law to make a valid BVB application. However, under policy decision makers should encourage BVB applicants to complete form 1006 or 1006 (Internet) if available, as it captures more information relevant to the assessment of a BVB application, which may expedite the processing time of the BVB application. This includes payment details for the BVB Visa Application Charge, and the travel details.

Persons claiming to be members of the family unit of a BVB applicant can combine their BVB applications with that of the BVB applicant. This means that the family only has to pay one Visa Application Charge; however all applicants must satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a BVB.

If the BVB applications made by a family group relates to judicial review proceedings, the family unit members will only be granted BVB if they combined their substantive visa applications with an applicant seeking judicial review of the refusal of that substantive visa.

Bridging Visa B Eligibility

You can apply for this visa and be granted if you:

• The person holds a valid passport subject to certain requirements; or it would be unreasonable to require the person to hold a valid passport.
• Are in Australia when you apply for this visa.
• Are the holder of a BVA or a BVB.
• Have applied in Australia for a substantive visa that can be granted while you are in Australia.
• You wish to leave and re-enter Australia during the processing of the substantive visa application.

Bridging Visa B Reasons for Travel

BVB policy require that the the decision maker must be satisfied that, at the time of application, the BVB applicant’s reasons for wishing to leave and re-enter Australia (to travel) are substantial.

Substantial Reasons to Leave and Re-enter Australia

A substantial reason for wishing to travel would include travel associated with:

• The person’s employment, business or education - for example:
• attending work or study conferences;
• participating in business negotiations or meetings;
• undertaking academic research or presenting academic papers

or

• The person’s family, other relatives or other person important to the person - for example:
• visiting a seriously ill family member, relative or close friend;
• attending the wedding, or other culturally important event, of a family member, relative or close friend;
• attending the funeral of a family member, relative or close friend

or

• The person’s substantive visa application - for example:
• undergoing medical treatment for an existing condition;
• obtaining documentation needed to satisfy Schedule 2 criteria;
• resolving custody issues relating to a claimed family unit member;
• travelling outside Australia for personal reasons (including having a holiday) because the processing or review of their substantive visa application has been protracted.

The above examples are given as a guide only, to the types of reasons that could be considered and are not exhaustive. Delegates must use their judgment when deciding if they are satisfied that the person’s reasons for wishing to travel are substantial.

Bridging Visa B Processing Time

Your bridging visa b application can take any where from 1 - 2 weeks of time. However the Department of Home Affairs advises to leave sufficient time to process your BVB application, before you plan to travel.

Bridging Visa B Cost

Bridging Visa B fee for this visa application is A$165.

Bridging Visa B (BVB) Australia Frequently Asked Questions

How to apply for bridging visa b?

The application for bridging visa b is lodged online from the same application in relation to which you have been granted your current bridging visa a. If you made a paper application then you can apply for this visa by posting your application to the same visa processing centre where you have lodged your substantive visa application.

Can i leave Australia on bridging visa b?

Yes you can leave Australia on bridging visa b and return back to Australia.

How long does it take to get bridging visa b?

Usually it will take from couple of days to couple of weeks.

What is bridging visa b?

A BVB lets you remain in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs processes your substantive visa application, or you await a judicial or merits review decision. It will also have a defined travel period associated with it. You can leave Australia and re-enter on a BVB within this defined travel period. If you are in Australia when the travel period ends and you need to travel outside Australia again, then you can apply for another BVB.

Can i travel on bridging visa b?

Yes you can travel outside Australia on bridging visa b and return back to Australia. If you are on a bridging visa and you leave Australia, then you wont be able to return to Australia without bridging visa b.

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Disclaimer: ‘Atlantis International Pty Ltd’ and its associates are independent consulting entities which are not associated in anyway with the Australian ‘Department of Home Affairs’ (DOHA). Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice. For a customized migration advice based on your personal circumstances, please call and talk to one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.