Process

To apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB), you must be in Australia when you submit your application. You must also meet the following requirements:

• Be the holder of a Bridging visa A (BVA) or a Bridging visa B (BVB)
• Have applied for a substantive visa that can be granted while you are in Australia
• If you meet all eligibility requirements, be in Australia at the time of grant

Once you have submitted your application, you will be notified about the conditions that apply to your BVB.

With this visa, you can

A Bridging visa B allows you to:

• Stay lawfully in Australia until your substantive visa application is finally determined, or until judicial review proceedings are complete
• Leave and return to Australia within the defined travel period while your application for a substantive visa is being processed
• Work, if your BVB permits

About this visa

A Bridging visa B is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia until a decision is made on your substantive visa application. The BVB travel facility may be granted with single or multiple travel and will be valid for use until a specified date. If the travel facility has ended or does not have sufficient validity remaining to cover your proposed journey, then you will need to apply for and be granted a new BVB prior to leaving Australia.

If you have applied for judicial review, a separate application for a BVB may be necessary. It is not possible to change conditions on your BVB. If you want to change visa conditions, you will need to consider applying for a Bridging visa A (BVA). It is also important to note that a Bridging visa B cannot be used while waiting for a citizenship application to be decided.

In effect

A Bridging visa B comes into effect when:

• It is granted, if your substantive visa has ceased since applying for the BVB or if the BVB is more beneficial than your current bridging visa
• Your current substantive visa ceases

While holding a Bridging visa B, you must adhere to the conditions imposed on the visa. If you hold a substantive visa when your BVB is granted, you must continue to comply with the conditions of the substantive visa. When your substantive visa ceases, the conditions of your BVB will apply.

Working in Australia

If the substantive visa you had or the visa you applied for allows you to work, you may be allowed to work with a Bridging visa B. The conditions that apply to your BVB will specify whether or not you are permitted to work. If you are the holder of a BVB that does not permit work and you are seeking to change conditions, you will need to consider applying for a Bridging visa A (BVA) and demonstrate that you are in financial hardship.

Remaining lawful during judicial review

If a merits review tribunal upholds our decision to refuse your substantive visa application and you apply for judicial review, you will need to apply for a bridging visa to maintain your lawful status during the judicial review proceedings. If you have applied for judicial review, you can only apply for a bridging visa by webform.

How long you can stay

The duration of your Bridging visa B (BVB) depends on various factors, including the outcome of your substantive visa application or judicial review. Your BVB will cease when:

• Your substantive visa application is refused
• Your merits or judicial review is decided
• You withdraw your application for the substantive visa, merits review, or judicial review
• A merits review tribunal tells you that it has no jurisdiction to consider your application for review
• We grant you the substantive visa that the BVB is associated with
• We cancel your BVB or the substantive visa that you held when you were granted a BVB

It is important to check VEVO for the exact duration of your BVB.

Stay longer

You cannot extend your stay in Australia by extending your Bridging visa B. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa. Explore your visa options to determine the best course of action.

Include family

If you and your family have applied together for a substantive visa in Australia, you can include them in your Bridging visa B (BVB) application. However, only include family members who have substantial reasons for needing to travel outside Australia. Family members who do not need to travel can stay in Australia on their current bridging visas.

Cost

The cost of a Bridging visa B (BVB) varies. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information on visa costs.

Applying for the visa

The application process for a Bridging visa B (BVB) depends on how you applied for your substantive visa and whether you have applied for review. If you applied for your substantive visa online through ImmiAccount, you must also apply for your BVB through ImmiAccount. If you applied for your substantive visa by paper form or have applied for review, you must submit your BVB application by webform. You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when you lodge the BVB application.

After you apply

After you have submitted your application for a Bridging visa B (BVB), you should wait for confirmation that your application has been received. We do not provide updates on application processing times, so it is important to be patient and wait for us to contact you.

If you need to travel while your application is being processed, your BVB must be granted before you leave Australia. If you have not returned before the specified travel period ends, your BVB will cease and you will need to apply for a new visa to return to Australia.

During the application process, it is important to provide accurate information and notify us of any changes to your circumstances. If you made a mistake on your application, you should notify us as soon as possible. Additionally, if you require assistance with your application or need to appoint someone to receive your correspondence, there are specific forms you can complete and submit.

Visa outcome

Once a decision has been made on your Bridging visa B (BVB) application, we will notify you in writing. If your visa is granted, you will receive your visa grant number, the start date of your visa, and any applicable visa conditions. It is important to keep a copy of this information with you while in Australia. If your visa is refused, we will provide an explanation for the refusal and inform you of your right to review the decision.

In Australia

While holding a Bridging visa B (BVB) in Australia, you must comply with all Australian laws and the conditions of your current visa. The specific conditions of your BVB will also apply once it comes into effect. If you have permission to work, the conditions regarding work will be outlined in your grant letter.

It is important to notify us of any changes to your contact details, passport, or if you wish to withdraw your application. Failure to do so may affect the status of your visa. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact us for support.