If your substantive visa is under processing and your last visa has expired, you can apply for a Bridging Visa C, or BVC, and stay in Australia legally. However, you can stay in Australia only between the time your last visa expires and the new one is being processed.
Moreover, you have to be present in Australia during the time of application and the grant of the visa. There is no fee for BVC and the processing time is short, but more on that later.
The purpose of this blog is to discuss BVC in-depth, discuss its eligibility criteria, the application process, and the benefits it offers. So stay tuned.
What is Bridging Visa C?
A Bridging Visa can be granted to you if you are waiting for the Department of Home Affairs to process your substantive visa application. It is a short-term visa that lets you stay in Australia legally until your new visa application is accepted. BVC only lets you stay for a short duration.
You will need a substantive visa to stay longtime. According to Australian law, substantive visas include all visas other than bridging visas, enforcement visas, and criminal justice visas.
Eligibility Criteria For Bridging Visa C
Before you apply for BVC, make sure you are eligible. Here are the criteria:
- You should be in Australia’s premises when your application is processed.
- Not hold the bridging visa E
- Not have held BVE since your last substantive visa
- Your last substantive visa expired when you applied for a new substantive visa
Bridging Visa Australia Cost And Processing Time
- The bridging Australia cost is nil.
- Depending on the complexity of your case, your processing time may vary, but most outcomes come within days.
Benefits Of Bridging Visa C
The perks and benefits of BVC include:
1. Permission to stay in Australia legally until your substantive visa is granted
2. Permission to study/work Australia (if you fulfill study/work requirements)
Important Disclaimers for BVC
Before you apply for a BVC, please note:
- All bridging Australian visas are applied automatically when you send an application for your substantive visa.
- You may already have a BVC granted by VEVO. Check with the department if that is the case.
- You may need to apply for a BVC separately only if you apply for a judicial review
- If you require a BVC for work purposes, a separate BVC application is required.
Requirements For Bridging Visa C
The process for BVC, although simple, still requires you to provide the following documents:
- Proof of your identity including copies of your passport, national ID card, and driver’s license.
- In case of disability or some financial difficulty, you have to provide proof of hardship
- Character certificate (certificates from study/work)
- Any additional documents the department requires
Staying Duration With Bridging Visa C
BVC is a temporary visa. It ceases to be in effect if:
- You travel to another country on your BVC (before the substantive visa is granted)
- You receive your substantive visa
- You get another BVC (for work/study/other reasons)
- Your substantive visa application is rejected or dismissed
Application Process for Bridging Visa C: Step-by-Step
To make matters easy, here is the simple application process for BVC
Step 1
Before you apply, simply check if you were already granted a BVC by VEVO. If not, proceed to the next steps.
Step 2
Gather identity of proof, proof of hardship, study/work documents, and any health/character certificates.
Step 3
Apply for your BVC through paper or online. Remember, you have to apply for your BVC through ImmiAccount if you applied for your substantive visa through ImmiAccount.
Step 4
Once you have applied, the department will notify you. The department does not notify you of processing time; you just have to wait for them to contact you. Additionally, submit any additional documents or edit applications if you have made errors. You can also include your relatives and your children in your BVC application. Remember, you can not leave your visa before an outcome is achieved.
Step 5
You will receive the outcome of your visa in writing by the department. The department will inform you of your visa grant number, the date it applies, and any conditions you have to follow. Similarly, if it is rejected, the department notifies you of the reasons.
What To Do Next?
Bridging Visas are temporary, but important. Bridging Visa C Australia is useful for anyone who wants to extend their stay in Australia legally. It requires no fee and a short processing time.
Applying for a visa while keeping track of all your submissions can be a tiring job. If you want to avoid the hassle and eliminate any human errors, make sure you get the right guidance.
The Migration is a registered company situated in Australia and helps assist students, workers, and migrants from various countries to get their visas. Through its dedicated employees, you get access to all the help you need. For more information, feel free to contact us.
FAQs
Q1. Am I allowed to travel from and to Australia with my BVC?
A1. No, you have to remain within Australia till your application for a substantive visa is approved. If you travel from Australia with BVC, you will not be allowed to return.
Q2. Am I allowed to apply for BVB if I already have BVC?
A1. No, holders of Bridging Visa C Australia can not apply for BVB. To be eligible for a BVB, you need a BVA. However, you can apply for any other visa while you have a bridging visa.
Q3. Are my family members included in my BVC application?
A3. Yes, you can. However, they have to be present in Australia for their visas to be processed.
Q4. What is the Bridging Visa Australia validity?
A4. Bridging visa Australia validity ends as soon as you get an outcome for your substantive visa. BVC only applies when your last substantive visa has expired and the next one is in process.
Q5. Do I get access to Medicare with BVC?
A5. Yes, you may access Medicare, Australia’s free public health service, however, your access may be limited if you are not a permanent resident or holder of a substantive visa.
