11 FAQs about Bridging Visa B’s
1. What is a Bridging Visa B?
The Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) allows you to leave and return to Australia while your application for a new substantive visa is being processed by the immigration department. If you return to Australia within the travel period specified on your visa, you are then able to remain lawfully in Australia while your new substantive visa application is being processed.
The Bridging Visa B is often referred to as ‘BVB‘.
2. How do I know if I am eligible for a Bridging Visa B?
You might be able to get this visa if:
- you are in Australia;
- you already hold a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B; and
- you have applied for a new substantive visa that can be granted to you while you are in Australia.
3. What is a substantive visa?
A substantive visa is any visa which is not any of the following:
- bridging visa
- criminal justice visa
- enforcement visa
4. Is the BVB a temporary or permanent visa?
Temporary.
5. Can I only hold one visa at a time?
No. You can hold a substantive visa and a BVB at the same time.
6. In what circumstances should you apply for a BVB?
If you still hold a substantive visa that allows you to travel and you believe you can return to Australia before your substantive visa ends, it is your decision whether or not you want to apply for and be granted a BVB before you travel.
7. Once my BVB has been granted, can I change the specified travel period?
No. The travel period cannot be changed or extended.
8. Which visa conditions apply if I hold both a substantive visa and a BVB?
If you hold a substantive visa when your BVB is granted, you must comply with any conditions that are on that substantive visa. The conditions of the BVB will apply once your substantive visa ends.
9. How much is the Visa Application Charge (“VAC”)?
As at 10 February 2015, the base visa application charge is A$140.
10. What is the importance of a Bridging Visa generally?
If your substantive visa ends before you are granted another substantive visa you need a bridging visa to stay in Australia.
If you decide to stay in Australia without a visa, you may become an “unlawful citizen” for that period of time.
11. What sort of problems does being an “unlawful citizen” cause?
- If you are granted a permanent visa and later apply for Australian citizenship, you might not be eligible to become an Australian citizen as soon as you would like to because you were an unlawful non-citizen for a period of time
- If your substantive visa application is refused, and you leave the country, and then later apply for another visa outside Australia you might not be able to be granted another visa for 3 years after you leave Australia.
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Aara
Can a bvb is applicable for a dependent offshore? Can a dependent come on a briding visa to australia?
Marial
Hi Aara,
Thank you for your question. The answer is no. A BVB can only be applied for by an applicant onshore while in Australia. Also other bridging visas are usually granted while a person is in Australia. If a dependent wishes to come to Australia, they will have to find an alternative.
If you are looking for migration advice, you can contact our office to book a consultation to discuss all your questions.
Kind regards,
Marial Daniel
Solicitor
BCom/ LLB (UNSW), GDLP (ANU)
Tel: +61.(0)2. 8080.3840
Fax: +61.(0)2. 8080.3849
Email: marial@teleo.com.au
Web: http://www.teleo.com.au
Veronica
I have a bridging visa b that expires in October, what happen if I need to travel because of an emergency after this period of time and while I do not have my permanent residence yet? should I apply for another bridging visa b? Thanks!
Joel
Hi,
I apply for BvB last friday via express post and my flight is on 10 of August. Will I get my BVB on time?
Thanks.
Joel
Shradha Singh
Did you receive any update> as i am in the same Circumstance.
Sourav
Hi Joel
I am in this same situation now. I reapply on 13th November. I am leaving on 26th November. How does long they take time?
I applied one bvb on 8th November. I called to Immigration they told me they haven’t received any application of my name. So I reapply new one..
aparna
Hi did u got u r BVB and how long it’s take could u plz help me ?
VENKAT
Hi there,
Right now I’m on Student Visa(Sub class 573) and the visa is going to expire on 30/08/2017. I would like to travel overseas for a month after lodging a Temporary Graduate visa and my intended travel would be on 22/09/17 . I would like to know when should I apply for BVB and what is the process involved ?
Thank you,
Venkat.
Lex
If you have the BvB, how long can you stay outside of Australia? Thank you so much for your answer!
Marial Daniel
Hi Lex,
Thank you for your question. The answer depends on how long you request and how long the Department grants it for. A BVB can range from 2 weeks up to one year with three months maximum travel period. Remember you have to explain your reason for travel which needs to a personal or business reason.
If you are looking for specific migration advice, you can contact our office to book a consultation to discuss all your questions.
Kind regards,
Marial Daniel
Senior Associate
Tel: +61.(0)2. 8080.3840
Web: http://www.teleo.com.au
Marial Daniel
Dear Venkat,
Thank you for your question. If you haven’t travelled yet and you are still on a bridging visa then you can still apply for a bridging visa B to travel internationally. If you apply online, sometime it can be very quick taking only a day or few days but our recommendation is that you apply at least two weeks prior to your travel date.
If you are looking for migration advice, you can contact our office to book a consultation to discuss all your questions.
Kind regards,
Marial Daniel
Senior Associate
Tel: +61.(0)2. 8080.3840
Web: http://www.teleo.com.au
Marial Daniel
Dear Venkat,
Thank you for your question. If you haven’t travelled yet and you are still on a bridging visa then you can still apply for a bridging visa B to travel internationally. If you apply online, sometime it can be very quick taking only a day or few days but our recommendation is that you apply at least two weeks prior to your travel date.
Marial Daniel
Marial Daniel
Correct.
You will need to apply for a new bridging visa B which will give you new travel validity period.
Marial Daniel
yuri
I granted a BVB to travel overseas. So do i need to change it back to BVA when i return to Australia? Thanks so much for your help.
Pritam singh
I had applied for protection visa and have been granted bridging visa A class WA (sub class 010), I have work full rights but no travel facility . I can’t go to my country due to fear of life but my father is suffering from medical conditions and he wants to meet me. So we have decided give his treatment in the neighbrour country so that I can visit there to see him. Can I get the bridging Visa B to go out of Australia & then enter again
Vigneshwar Balay
Hi, I’m Vigneshwar. I have applied for Temporary Graduate (post study Visa 485) visa last week and now I’m in Bridging visa A. I have to go to India in the first or second week of March. For that, I have heard that I need to apply for BVB.(In case I don’t get my 485 visa. I’m pretty sure I won’t get visa in this short time).
Is there any chance I get my 485 visa while I’m in India or DO they keep my 485 visa application on hold till I reach australia?
If my work in India didnt complete by BVB visa timeperiod of 3 months, Can I go back to India again by applying BVB ?
Keshav
Hi Vigneshwar, can you please tell me what was the outcome of your query. Did you get the 485 visa while you were in India. I am asking as I am in a similar situation. Thanks.
tony
I have a 190 state nomination on BVA ( awaiting judicial review) I heard I need to apply from offshore. My question is can I lodge an offshore application and come back to Australia. Will my application count as an offshore application ? Or not? I am doing it to avoid section 18 bar. Please help
Tony
Hi
I have an invitation to apply for 190 to avoid section 48. I am on BVA awaiting judicial review I need to know if going out and applying from outside Australia will count as an offshore application . My question is if I lodge from outside, and come back in after does this count as an offshore application.
Anna
Hello, Can I apply for the bridging visa B online? I cannot find the form on my immi account
dede
Anna
login to your ImmiAccount
open your current visa application
navigate to the ‘Update Us’ menu
select ‘Bridging visa’
select ‘Apply for a bridging visa’ to commence an application.
Paritosh Upadhyay
Hi I am also having trouble finding it. I only get tab Bridging visa information but there is no link for BVB. Will it appear only after minimum processing days or right away after we apply RRV?
Tiffany a
HI im currently holding BVA and about to apply BVB for short travel to visit family
How long does it normally take to get responses from them and
Is BVB grants immediately? Do i need to comply BVB conditions as soon as i get the response?or only when im on travel?
It says you cant work with BVB but need to work till the day before id like to go on travel and back to work immediately once im back. How and when can i change from BVB back to BVA ?
Abhilash
Hi,
I am in situation similar to Tiffany’s. I had 457 visa and applied applied for TSS 482 before my 457 was expiring. I have received BVA and currently in Australia and it allows me to work. I will have to travel for 2-3 weeks and would like to apply for BVB. Can anyone please let me know if I can work on BVB once I come back, assuming that I do not get TSS 482 visa by then.
Thanks in advance.
Rajakumaran
If i get bvb visa what is the validity period? After validity period ends if i want to stay in australia means i need to apply another bvb visa or need to extend the period in same visa? Please clarify.
Kaz
Hi,
Thank you for this post, really found it helpful
My partner applied for partner visa and is currently on Bridging visa A. We are planning to travel in December and he would like to apply for Briding visa B. When applying online, we cannot submit the application without any supporting documentation? What kind of supporting documentation do we need to provide for travel purposes? We don’t want to book the flights without having the visa.
Sourav
Hi,
I applied Bridging visa B . I have been 3 days to wait . I gave a reason apply to offshore visa and getting marriage for purpose of intended travel.. In this situation can they grant bridging visa b ? Six month ago I applied bridging visa b and they granted in 24hrs but now they are taking long time but that time I just gave a reason to see my family after my dad passed away…
Paritosh Upadhyay
Hi Saurav
Can you explain process of BVB I need to apply as its lessthan a month I am travelling. Couldn’t find link to do it online and need info for Health and PCC as I have applied Resident Return Visa 2 months back.
Please include all steps if u can.
Thanks
Rhea
I am still in E-visitor visa expires on feb 5,2019. However I have must not arrive date on nov 9,3 2018. At the same time I have partner visa bridging A.
I plan to travel outside Australia, do I need to apply for another visa or Bridging B would be the right one. ?
Regards rhea
Pooja
Hi,
I have applied 189 visa and still on my 485 visa. Bridging visa A will be active on 14th Feb 2019. I booked flight to my home country from 5th Jan till 4th Feb. Do I need to apply for Bridging visa B on safe side even if BVA is not in affect yet.
I heard that if you are planning to return to Australia before your valod visa expires, DHA will not grant BVB.
Please provide your ferdback.
Thanks
yunyun xu
Hi there.
What happened if I travel outside of Australia under a bridging visa B when I got the news that my application is invalid.
Does it means the bridging visa B end at the same time?
Can I re-entry Australia by a bridging visa B?
Wilvin
Hi,
Just wondering about this quote from the form both paper and online application.
“If you are awaiting a decision on your substantive visa application (either from the department or a merits review authority) and you intend to reside at an address overseas, for a period of 14 days or more, you must advise of the address at which you will be and of the period that you intend to be there.”
So my condition is, I am only going for holiday for about a month.
Do I need to change my address for this?
And do I need to change it back when I have returned?
Thanks
wasil
hello,
I am currently on a BVA and applied for my student visa extension.
I have a few questions if anyone can help me with the same-
1. I am on BVB and outside Australia and my student visa get refused meanwhile, will I be able to come back or do I need to apply for a new visa..?
2. I have been diagnosed with Latent TB (Not Active nor infectious) will be a problem for me to come back..?
kindly, please help
tajinder
hi , i just finished my pg study from australia and i have valid visa untill 15th of march . i want to travel to india and i have applied my 485 today . my concern is do i need to get bridging b visa to go to india as i am going on 25th jan to 6th of feb?
emilia Flotts
Hello there, my BVB has not been aproved yet and it has been over a month, what should i do? I can`t find any phone number to call and ask for that.
Bikash Thapa
Can I apply for a bridging visa B before my bridging visa A is active?? Taking into account that my current student visa is expiring on 19th of September i.e my bridging A will be active only after 19th of September. So my question is will there be any problem, if i apply for bridging visa B before my bridging A is active ? And how long will it take for Bridging visa B grant? Hope for the positive response
ALEX MARGARITIS
Hello Bikash, did you find an answer to this? I am in the exact same situation, so i would like to know if its posible to apply for a BVB if the BVA is still not in effect.
Cheers
Alex
SIDDHARTH KAPUR
Did you get a response
Vin
What are the chances of applying for a BVB granted for 12 months?
Currently on a partner visa. Does this get refunded if it doesn’t get approved??
Neeraj
I am a Permanent resident and have applied for a Resident Return Visa which is still not granted.
I need to travel overseas but not sure whether the RRV will be granted prior to my return date.
What options do I have?
Hardeep Singh
Hi,
I am onshore on BVB and I have only time till 1st April 2020 (35 days given after BVA refused and I have withdrawn my application)
Now how can I get BVA back?
I got my BVB after my BVA was (VC 187 Visa application withdrawn)
Now is there any option for me for a new visa?
SIDDHARTH KAPUR
Hi
Can i apply for BVB while I have my BVA inactive.
Actually i am here on Tourist Visa and I have already applied for Aged parent PR. I have got BVA which is currently inactive and will be active after 6 months when my Tourist visa expires.
I need to travel outside country before expiry of current tourist visa, so need to apply BVB.
Gam
Hi,
We are overseas on bridging visa b that is going to expire in October , 20. Australia does not allow travel unless the traveller is a permanent resident, guardian of a child, health professional or a immediate family member. We do not fall in any of these categories but if we do not return back to Australia until the expiry of Bridging visa B then our other visa application will be a waste. Does any one know any solution if you know about the same situation?
Thanks
Hiren
I am in the same boat. My mom ins on BVB and the visa expired now as she can not travel. Don’t know
The options now