Bridging visa B is granted temporarily for visa holders in Australia so they can continue to stay legally while their new visa application is reviewed. This type of bridging visa allows them to travel freely in and out of the country for a short period of time.
However, there are a number of criteria you must meet before you can apply for a bridging visa B.
What Is a Bridging Visa B?
Australia issues this bridging visa to individuals who are waiting for their substantive visa application to be processed. A bridging visa B is temporary, and it only allows you to remain legally in Australia and travel out of the country until your new visa is granted.
When Should I Apply for a Bridging Visa B?
You should apply separately for your bridging visa B if you apply for judicial review on your previous visa, or you have a bridging visa A and you want to travel while your visa application is in processing.
Usually, a bridging visa B is automatically granted when you apply for your substantive visa and it comes into effect when your visa expires. A substantive visa usually includes all Australia visa types without the bridging visa category.
Am I Eligible for a Bridging Visa B?
You are eligible for a bridging visa B if you:
- Hold or held previously a substantive visa.
- Hold or held a bridging visa A or bridging visa B.
- Have applied for a new substantive visa.
- Have applied for a judicial review.
- You are in Australia when you submit your application.
Remember: you must apply for judicial review or a review at the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) within the allotted timeframe if you want to be eligible for the BVB.
What Are the Requirements for an Australia Bridging Visa B?
You must present this list of documents when you apply for a bridging visa B in Australia:
- Identification Papers. You have to provide any document that proves your identity, including a valid passport. The Immigration Office may also ask you to provide a copy of your driver’s license, national identity card, birth certificate, or any other document that proves your name change (if applicable).
- Good Character Certificates. You are required to submit any document that proves that you are not involved in any serious criminal activities and that you were not previously convicted or you aren’t under investigation.
- Parental Consent Certificate. In case you are applying with a minor for this visa, you must present a parental consent form 1229 or a statutory declaration by anyone who has a legal right to the child. Make sure you provide a copy of the passport or driver’s license of the person who signs the form.
- Evidence of Substantial Reasons for Travel. In order to get this visa, you must have really compelling reasons why you need to travel outside of Australia. You can include medical reports (if you are visiting a sick relative), or evidence of important events (weddings, graduation ceremonies, and so on).
- Form 1006. In case you are applying on paper for a bridging visa B.
- Help Documents. On the occasion that you require help with your documents provide these forms:
- Identity pictures Biometric Data. After you lodge your visa application, the Immigration Office might ask you to submit your fingerprints at one of their offices.
How to Apply for a Bridging Visa B?
You can apply online through the ImmiAccount for a bridging visa B if you’ve submitted an online application for a substantive visa and there is still no decision on your application. If you apply for a judicial review, you must submit a paper application for a bridging visa B.
You must send, by post, the paper application together with your supporting documents at the same address that is processing your substantive visa application.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bridging Visa B in Australia?
The processing times for this visa are not available but, it’s important that you apply for your bridging visa B as early as you can so you don’t risk remaining illegally in Australia.
How Much Does a Bridging Visa B Cost?
Bridging visas B cost AUD155. This is the base application fee and you may be required to pay additional fees for your visa.
How Long Does a Bridging Visa Last?
A bridging visa B is granted only temporarily until a decision is made on your new substantive visa application.
Can I Stay Longer?
You are not allowed to overstay with a bridging visa B, your BVB stops being valid if one of the following scenarios occurs:
- Your substantive visa application is granted.
- Your new visa application is denied.
- The judicial review process is over.
- You make a request to withdraw from your visa application, your review request at the AAT, or your judicial review application.
- The AAT decides they have cannot change the initial decision made by the Immigration Office.
- Your substantive visa, alongside your bridging visa B, is canceled by the Department.
Can You Work on a Bridging Visa B?
You can work if your bridging visa B conditions allow you to work. Generally speaking, you will be allowed to work only for 40 hours every two weeks but, there are other work limitations attached to your bridging visa (see below).
Can You Study with a Bridging Visa B?
If you have a valid bridging visa B, you can study during your stay in Australia. However, make sure you check the visa conditions on VEV0 (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) to see if you are limited in which areas you can study.
Can You Travel on a Bridging Visa B?
Yes, you can travel with an Australia bridging visa B provided that you have a very strong reason why you need to leave Australia. Your travel period will end at a specific date and the Immigration Office will let you know exactly when that happens.
If you need to travel after your travel period has ended, then you must apply for a new bridging visa B. In case you are out of the country when your travel allowance expires then you cannot re-enter Australia.
Can You Include Family Members on a Bridging Visa B Application?
If your family members are in Australia with you, then you can include them in your bridging visa B application.
Can I Get Access to Medicare Under a Bridging Visa B?
If you are applying for a permanent resident visa, then you may have restricted access to Medicare services with a bridging visa B.
Bridging Visa B Cancellation
| Visa B Cancellation | |
|---|---|
| Condition 8101 | This condition dictated that you do not have permission to work during your stay in Australia with a BVB. In some cases, you may do volunteer work related to your study program and or learn how people work in an industry without engaging in the work yourself. |
| Condition 8102 | If this visa condition is attached to your BVB, you are allowed to work only in related fields to your study course. |
| Condition 8103 | Unless the department of immigration gives you permission, you are not allowed to work a job that otherwise Australian citizens and residents would receive payment. |
| Work Restriction Conditions | With this visa condition, you are allowed to work only in a two-week period for 40 hours. If you are a student, then you cannot begin your work before your study course starts. |
| Condition 8112 | You don’t have permission to work any type of job that might be done by an Australian citizen or permanent resident. |
| Condition 8547 | Unless you have explicit permission, you cannot work for more than six months for a single employer. |
| Yacht Crew Condition | This condition allows you to work only if you are a part of a superyacht crew. |
| Condition 8303 | If you are involved in any type of criminal activity or any type of activity that might harm or damage someone in Australia, you are violating condition 8303. |
| Condition 8501 | Valid health insurance during the time you hold a BVB is obligatory. |
| Condition 8539 | Your visa grant letter will specify low-growth population areas where you are allowed to work, live and study only in one specific area. |