Bridging Visa B or Subclass 020 - An Overview

The Bridging Visa B (BVB) is a temporary visa that allows you to travel in and out of Australia until a specified date. It can be granted with single or multiple travel facilities, depending on your needs. If your BVB has expired or does not have sufficient validity remaining for your proposed journey, you will need to apply for and be granted a new BVB before leaving Australia. You can check if you already hold a BVB by using VEVO, the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system.

In some cases, a separate application for a BVB may be required if you have applied for judicial review. Please note that it is not possible to apply to change conditions on your BVB. If you wish to change visa conditions, you will need to consider applying for a Bridging Visa A (BVA).

It is crucial to note that individuals holding a BVB visa must make sure to return to Australia before the designated time period expires. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in consequences such as visa cancellation or difficulties in obtaining future visas. Therefore, it is recommended to plan and arrange travel arrangements accordingly to avoid any complications. 

• Hold a Substantive visa: You must have previously held a Substantive visa.
• Hold a BVA or a BVB: You must currently hold a Bridging Visa A (BVA) or a Bridging Visa B (BVB).
• Have applied for a substantive visa or judicial review: You must have applied for a substantive visa or judicial review within the prescribed time frame.
• Have substantial reasons for wanting to travel: You must provide a valid reason and attach any supporting documents to explain why you need to depart and return to Australia while your substantive visa is being considered or while you are waiting for the outcome of a judicial review.
• Age: There are no age restrictions for applying for this visa.
• Meet character requirement: You must meet the character requirement as specified by Australian immigration laws. This includes having no criminal convictions or other character issues that may affect your eligibility for the visa.

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

As a visa holder, you must comply with the conditions imposed on your visa. If you are granted a BVB, you will be informed about the conditions that apply. If you still hold a substantive visa when your BVB is granted, you must continue to adhere to the conditions of the substantive visa. Once your substantive visa ceases, the conditions of your BVB will come into effect. So, it's important to be aware of and comply with the conditions of your BVB once it becomes active. It's always best to stay informed about the requirements of your visa and any changes that may affect your immigration status.

• Remain lawfully in Australia until a final decision is made on your substantive visa application, or until any associated judicial proceedings are completed.
• Depart from and re-enter Australia within the specified travel period while your application for a substantive visa is being processed.
• Make sure to comply with all the relevant immigration laws and regulations, and provide accurate and complete information in your visa application to ensure a smooth process.

The duration of your BVB will be determined by one of the following outcomes:

• 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 informs you that it has no jurisdiction to consider your application for review.
• Immigration grants  you the substantive visa that the BVB is associated with.
• Immigration cancelsl your BVB or the substantive visa that you held when you were granted a BVB.
• It's important to be aware of these factors and stay updated on the status of your visa application or review process to ensure compliance with immigration regulations. Seek professional assistance if needed for a smooth and successful immigration journey.

Extending your stay in Australia is not possible with this visa. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa and explore your visa options accordingly.

If you and your family have applied for a substantive visa together in Australia, you can include them in your BVB application as long as they are members of your family unit. This means you and your family only need to complete one application form and pay one visa application charge. However, each family member must meet the requirements for a BVB individually.

It's important to only include family members in your BVB application who have substantial reasons for needing to travel outside Australia. If some of your family members do not need to travel, they can continue to stay in Australia on their current bridging visas. Seek professional advice if needed to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and smooth processing of your visa applications.

The application fee for the BVB is AUD165. It is important to note that for your application to be considered valid and for your visa to be granted, both you and any other individuals included in your BVB application must be physically present within Australia.

Processing Time

Unfortunately, processing times are not available for BVB visas.

However, please note that your application may take longer to process if:

• The application form is not filled in correctly.
• All the required documents are not included or further information is needed from you.
• Verification of your information takes additional time.
• To ensure the smooth and timely processing of your application, make sure to accurately complete the application form and provide all the necessary documents as per the requirements. Stay responsive to any requests for additional information from the immigration authorities to avoid delays in processing your BVB application.

Your responsibilities

As the visa holder, and anyone included in your BVB application, you must:

• Comply with all Australian laws.
• Adhere to the conditions of your current visa.
• Abide by the conditions of your BVB once it comes into effect.
• It is important to strictly comply with all applicable laws and visa conditions to maintain compliance with immigration regulations in Australia. Failure to do so may result in visa cancellation or other legal consequences.

Work and Travel

The conditions that apply to your BVB will be communicated to you upon visa grant.

Travel Period

When your BVB is granted, the specified travel period will be indicated to you. It is important to be aware of this period as it determines when your BVB will cease.

Renewal of BVB

If your BVB's specified travel period has ended and you need to travel outside of Australia again, you will have to apply for a new BVB and be granted the visa before departing Australia.

Ceased BVB

If you are outside of Australia when the specified travel period on your BVB ends, the visa will cease, and you will not be able to return to Australia on a ceased BVB. It is crucial to plan your travel accordingly and ensure that your BVB remains valid throughout your intended travel period.

Pre-Application

Before applying for a BVB, check whether you possess a BVA or BVB and ensure that your passport is valid. You should apply for your BVB no earlier than three months and no later than two weeks before your intended travel date.

Collect Required Documents

Collect all the necessary documents required for your BVB application.

Apply for the Visa

The process of applying for a BVB depends on how you applied for your substantive visa, whether online or by paper form, and whether you have applied for a review of a decision on your substantive visa application. You must apply for the BVB in the same way you applied for your substantive visa.

If you applied for your substantive visa through ImmiAccount, you must also apply for your BVB through ImmiAccount. However, if you applied for your substantive visa by paper form or have applied for a review of a decision on your substantive visa application, you must submit your BVB application by web form.

Both you and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when you lodge the BVB application.

Post-Application

After applying for the BVB, see what actions are necessary and recommended.

Visa Outcome

Our decision on the BVB application will be communicated to you in writing. To be granted a BVB, you must be in Australia when the decision is made. If your BVB application is successful, we will provide you with the visa grant number, visa start date, and visa conditions (if any). Make sure to keep a copy of this information with you while in Australia.