Is this your situation?
You are on a Bridging Visa B (BVB) and you need to travel overseas, or you already travelled and had a problem getting back into Australia. Or your BVB expired while you were offshore and you are stuck outside the country with a pending application you cannot pursue.
How BVB works
A BVB allows you to leave and return to Australia while your visa application is being processed. Unlike a BVA, it has travel rights. But those travel rights have a specific validity period. If you return to Australia within that period, your bridging visa continues. If you do not return before the BVB travel period expires, you lose the bridging visa.
The BVB is not automatic. You need to apply for it before you travel. If you just have a BVA and you leave Australia, the BVA ceases and you have no bridging visa to return on.
Common problems
The most common problem is staying overseas longer than planned. Family emergencies, illness, flight cancellations, or passport issues can delay your return. If the BVB travel period expires while you are still outside Australia, your bridging visa ceases. You are then outside Australia without a visa to return on, and your pending application in Australia may be affected.
Another common problem is not obtaining a BVB before departure. People assume their BVA allows travel. It does not. Departing on a BVA ceases it permanently.
A third problem is confusion about the difference between the BVB travel period and the BVB visa expiry. The travel period is the window during which you can leave and return. The visa itself may last longer. But if you are outside Australia when the travel period ends, you cannot re-enter.
What to do if you are stuck overseas
If your BVB expired while you were offshore, you are no longer a visa holder for re-entry purposes. You need to apply for a new visa to return to Australia, such as a visitor visa (subclass 600). Your pending visa application in Australia may still be valid, but you cannot return to pursue it without a separate entry visa.
Contact a migration agent to discuss how to manage both the return to Australia and the pending application.
How Bullseye Consultant can help
Amanpreet Bhangoo (MARN 1573884) can advise on BVB applications before travel, help if you are stuck overseas, and manage the interaction between your bridging visa and your pending application. Call (07) 3519 7009.
FAQ
Q: How do I get a BVB before I travel?
Apply while you still hold your BVA. You need to demonstrate a genuine reason for travel such as a family emergency, business commitments, or medical treatment abroad. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.
