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Bridging visa B: everything you need to know before travelling overseas
This article is also available in Spanish
Are you in Australia waiting for a visa decision and want to travel overseas?
If you hold a Bridging visa A (BVA), you cannot leave Australia and return on that visa. If you need to travel while waiting for your visa application to be decided, you need to apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB).
A Bridging visa B allows you to leave Australia and return during a specified travel period while your substantive visa application or review is being processed.
If you are planning to travel overseas, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period, it is important to understand how a BVB works and when you should apply.
What is a Bridging visa B?
A Bridging visa B (subclass 020) is a temporary visa that allows you to leave and return to Australia while waiting for the outcome of another visa application (eg partner visa, employer sponsored visa) or certain review proceedings (eg student visa appeal).
If you need to travel overseas during this time, a BVB allows you to leave Australia and return without losing your ability to remain in Australia while waiting for your visa decision.
Importantly, you must be in Australia when you apply for a BVB and when it is granted.
When should I apply for a Bridging visa B?
Ideally, you should plan to lodge your BVB application approximately two months before your intended travel date.
Although BVB applications are often processed much faster than this, you should not leave the application until the last minute.
The Department recommends applying no more than three months and no less than two weeks before your intended travel date.
There is no guaranteed processing time, and the Department may take longer than expected to make a decision.
If you apply too late and your BVB is not granted before you leave Australia, you will not be able to return to Australia on your bridging visa A and will need to see if there is another way for you to return.
Planning Christmas travel?
If you are planning to travel overseas for Christmas, it is worth thinking about your BVB application now.
December is a busy period for travel, and you may have family events, flights and accommodation already booked.
Ideally, you should aim to have your BVB application lodged well before the Christmas holiday period.
Do not assume that because previous BVB applications have been granted quickly, yours will be processed just as fast.
It is much better to apply early and have time to deal with any unexpected delays.
How long does a Bridging visa B last?
One important point about a BVB is that the visa itself and its travel facility are not necessarily the same thing.
A BVB does not simply expire on the date that you must return to Australia.
Instead, it has a specified travel facility. This is the period during which you are permitted to leave Australia and return.
For example, you might receive a BVB with a travel facility allowing you to travel until 30 December 2026.
If you return to Australia before that date, you can remain in Australia on your BVB while waiting for your substantive visa application to be decided, subject to the visa continuing to be in effect.
However, if you are still overseas when the travel facility expires, your BVB will cease and you will not be able to use it to return to Australia.
If you are in Australia when the travel facility expires, the BVB does not automatically cease just because that travel date has passed.
If you need to travel overseas again, you will need to apply for another BVB and have it granted before leaving Australia.
It is therefore very important to understand the BVB’s travel facility.
How long is the travel facility granted for?
The length of the travel facility can vary.
The Department considers your reasons for travelling and when it expects to make a decision on your substantive visa application.
You should provide evidence of your travel plans and explain why you need to leave and return to Australia.
Recently, many BVB grants have been granted with travel facilities of up to five years. However, a five-year travel facility is not guaranteed.
You should always check the travel dates and conditions in your individual BVB grant letter.
Can I work on a Bridging visa B?
Your work rights depend on the conditions attached to your BVB. Some BVBs allow unrestricted work, while others may have work restrictions.
In many cases, the work conditions will be similar to those attached to the bridging visa you held before applying for the BVB.
You should not assume that you have unrestricted work rights simply because you have been granted a BVB. Check your visa grant letter and VEVO to confirm your work conditions.
What happens if I leave Australia without a Bridging visa B?
If you hold a BVA and leave Australia without first obtaining a BVB, your BVA will generally cease when you depart.
This can cause serious problems if you are waiting for a partner visa, employer-sponsored visa or another substantive visa.
You may not be able to return to Australia while your application is being processed.
You should therefore never assume that you can leave Australia and return on your existing BVA.
If you need to travel, make sure you have the correct visa in place before departing.
Mandeville Migration can help you with your bridging visa B application.
Written by: Laura Mandeville
MARN: 2117601
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