Bridging visa B (BVB) is an important instrument for persons residing in Australia on a temporary visa who are awaiting a decision on a substantive visa. This visa allows the holder to travel and return while their new visa is being processed. Understanding how to apply for a Bridging Visa B is really important for those who must travel while in transition between visas. Our step-by-step guide gives you all the details about the application, eligibility, documents needed, and related information that will help you prepare a successful application.
What is a Bridging Visa B?
A BVB (Subclass 020) is a temporary visa that allows you to leave and come back to Australia while your substantive visa is being processed. Unlike the Bridging Visa A, which has no travel rights, BVB is the answer that permits applicants to leave Australia for work, family, or whatever personal matter and come back within a particular travel time. It is frequently requested by people who have pending visa applications but need to work outside of Australia without losing status in their immigration process, making it worthwhile to understand how it works.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Bridging Visa B, you must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a Bridging Visa A or B: The applicant must have already been granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) or Bridging Visa B (BVB).
- Substantive Visa: The individual must have lodged a substantive visa application, such as a skilled worker visa or partner visa, or applied for a judicial review if there was a refusal for their substantive visa application.
- In Australia: The applicant must be in Australia when the application is lodged and when a decision is made.
- Health and Character Requirements: Applicants must be in good health and of sound character; a police certificate may be required.
Documents Required
In order to apply, you must first collect the required documents. Below are some of the documents you can prepare to facilitate the process and reduce delays.
- Passport Details: Photo page in color, passport number, and expiry date.
- Travel Evidence: Proof of the need to travel, such as itineraries, flight tickets, and supporting documents for work-related or family travel.
- Additional Documents: The nature of your trip will determine if any supporting documents are necessary, such as medical certificates from medical travel, employment letters for work travel, or event invitations for personal reasons.
Step-By-Step Application Process
It is a simple process to apply for a Bridging Visa B through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount system. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to apply:
Create an ImmiAccount
If you do not already have it, start by creating an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. This will be your gateway to everything with regard to visa applications.
Log in and Select Your Visa Application
Log in and choose the visa application you have applied for from the list of current applications that are being decided. Select “Apply for Bridging Visa” from the Menu
Provide Detailed Travel Information
After choosing Bridging Visa B, fill in all the details of your trip, including the reasons to leave Australia and the days on which you plan to travel.
Attach Required Documents
Upload necessary documents like a passport, your itinerary, and relevant certifications or letters concerning the cause for which you are leaving the country. Make sure you are providing current and accurate documents.
Pay the Application Fee
An application fee applies to most Bridging Visa B applications. The standard charge for a Bridging Visa B application is AUD 180. During the application process, make sure that the payment is done, otherwise there might be a delay.
Submit the Application
After completing the details and attaching all documents, submit the application to ImmiAccount. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt after submission and should check their account regularly for updates.
Processing Time and Fees
Bridging Visa B processing times are dependent on the complexity of the application and how busy things are. On average, processing will take one day up to two weeks. Delays are not uncommon if extra documents need to be presented or the initial application has some issues. Applicants are advised to apply 2 to 3 months in advance of their travel date to allow adequate processing time for a BVB.
The application fee for a Bridging Visa B is AUD 180, as described above, which covers family members listed in the application that are included in the paperwork.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for a Bridging Visa B is a much more straightforward process but there are still errors that happen way too often and can result in delays or refusal decisions. These include:
- Submitting Incomplete Documents: Please be careful to provide all the required documents, including passport copies and travel evidence, in the application
- Incorrectly Filling Out Forms: This sort of thing frequently gets applicants refused, so make sure to carefully add details like passport numbers, travel dates, and reasons for travel. Mistakes in these fields can slow down processing.
- Applying Too Close to the Travel Date: You must apply for a BVB at least two weeks before you plan to travel. However, a three-month timeframe is recommended in order to avoid complications.
- Not Consulting with a Migration Expert: In many cases, browsing through resources such as the one from Allied Passport can be incredibly helpful during the process. Conducting this step can help you avoid some pitfalls, especially in more complicated situations.
Travel Conditions and Restrictions
The Bridging Visa B has good benefits for applicants, but it comes with specific conditions:
- Limited Travel Period: The travel period is short-term, typically 3 to 12 months, depending on your specific circumstances. This window is fixed in the visa approval letter.
- Timely Return to Australia: The visa holder must return to Australia before his or her travel rights expire. Failure to fulfill this condition could lead to the cancellation of your visa or refusal of subsequent visa applications.
- Reapplying for BVB After Expiration: If the travel period expired and further travel is needed, applications must submit a new BVB application before leaving Australia.
Conclusion
For many people who are awaiting their substantive visa decisions, this is a crucial visa since they might need to travel out of Australia temporarily. Candidates who wish their full application to be smoothly processed and on time can perform these few steps one by one. Those who pull the necessary documents together and tax bill, meet eligibility requirements, and avoid common errors in a timely way will move quickly through the process. You can also consult a migration agent such as Allied Passport to get help in finalizing your case.
