It is extremely important to know about Bridging Visa B, more so when you want to travel outside of Australia, and you are waiting for another to be approved.
Normally, when you apply for a different substantive visa, you would receive a Bridging Visa without a travel facility. These visas allow you to remain lawful in Australia while you are awaiting the decision of the other visa. But this visa would expire the minute you depart Australia, therefore, you will not have a visa to return.
Unless you apply for a Bridging Visa B before you depart Australia, you will not be able to come back.
This will inconveniently delay your visa processing and potentially impact the eligibility for the visa you had applied for.
We strongly recommend applying for the Bridging Visa B with at least one month prior to your intended trip. This is because they can take a while to be processed, depending on your personal circumstances. Other factor could be the festive seasons around the end of the year, when lots of people are travelling to visit relatives, friends or just for holidays.
The travel validity of this visa will depend on the time you tell the Department you need to be overseas for.
It is important to note that you must wait for the Bridging Visa B to be approved before you depart Australia, as they will not approve it if you are outside of the country.
Eligibility:
- You must have held a substantial visa before you apply for a Bridging Visa B
- You must already hold a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B. Unfortunately, Bridging Visa C, D or E holders are not eligible to apply for a Bridging Visa B, which means that they are not allowed to depart Australia and come back.
- You must have made an application for a substantive visa or for judicial review in cases where you had a visa refusal.
- You must provide valid and substantial reasons to travel outside of Australia. Generally the Department of Home Affairs would accept reasons like going for holidays and visiting friends and relatives to grant the Bridging Visa B.
If you need assistance with applying for a Bridging Visa B, Crystal Migration and other Legal Services can provide you with all the information and advice to have a hassle-free application, especially if there are circumstances that would delay or compromise a visa approval.
Please reach out to us at ross@crystalmigration.net or calling us at 0291892988