Bridging Visa B Holders Are Left with No Certainty During Travel Restriction

The Australian government has lifted travel restrictions for most temporary Australian visas, but not for Bridging Visa B holders. The situation left the Bridging Visa B holders with no certainty when they will be able to enter Australia while their visas are still valid.

Since a long time ago, the situation has been an issue as most Bridging Visa B holders feel they have been treated unfairly.

Find the details below.

What is Bridging Visa B?

Bridging Visa is a type of Visa that the Australian government provides for onshore visa applicants, which enables them to stay legally in Australia while waiting for the decision for their visa application. There are five different Bridging Visa, namely:

• Bridging Visa A (subclass 010)
• Bridging Visa B (subclass 020)
• Bridging Visa C (subclass 030)
• Bridging Visa E (subclass 050)
• Bridging Visa E (subclass 051)

Generally, when you lodge a visa application onshore, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A, which does not have a travel facility. Suppose you need to leave Australia while holding a Bridging Visa A; you must apply and be granted a Bridging Visa B because Bridging Visa B is the only Bridging Visa that allows you to leave and enter Australia.\

You can leave and return to Australia with your Bridging Visa B; with the condition, your Bridging Visa B must still be valid when you return to Australia.

Read more: Australian Government Lifts the Limitation of Working Hours for Student Visa Holders

Current Travel Restriction in Australia

The Australian government has put a strict travel restriction since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and now they have eased it a bit for certain visa subclasses. Unfortunately, this is not applicable for Bridging Visa B.

The travel restriction in Australia has forced BVB holders to remain onshore for the past two years. Bridging Visa B holders do not have any option though they hold a visa to leave Australia to see their loved ones.

According to the official website of the Department of Home Affairs, which was last updated on 21 January 2022, the Australian government will continue to accept and process BVB applications. Still, the holders will be denied entry to Australia until the travel restrictions are lifted.

Read more: Australian Government Lifts the Limitation of Working Hours for Student Visa Holders

BVB Holders: We Only Need Fairness

BVB holders have been stuck in Australia due to a combination of long visa processing waits and border restrictions that make it very difficult for them to enter or re-enter the country after departing.

Many people, especially skilled migrants waiting for permanent status, have been depressed due to this situation. Many people are considering permanently leaving Australia after being unable to see their families for years and with no end in sight.

Bridging Visa B holders have begun a petition which now gets 15,000 signatures asking the immigration minister, Alex Hawke, to ease the travel restrictions, specifically for Bridging Visa B holders.

The petition generally emphasizes BVB holders’ contribution to the Australian economy sector and keeping the safety of the Australian community by paying the tax, supplying critical skills, getting double vaccinations, etc. Looking at those contributions, it is unfair to deny their opportunity to visit their family while other temporary visa holders do.

Read more: New Face For Australia International Border: DPD (Digital Passenger Declaration) Will Come In Effect

What does it mean to you?

If you are onshore and planning to apply for a Bridging Visa B soon, it might be best for you to postpone your plan to get a Bridging Visa B.

We understand your distress for not seeing your loved ones for years. However, we believe the waiting will pay off well once you get your substantive Visa, enabling you to travel from and to Australia as many times as you want.

If you wish to check your eligibility for an Australian visa, please get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or via phone at 1300 827 159.

Can I Enter Australia while Travel Restrictions are in Place?

As we know, the Australian government has eased the travel restrictions for certain temporary Australian visas. If you plan to enter Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic, you should find the best visa option first! ONE derland Consulting is ready to give you the best advice regarding the Australian Visa.

We fully understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.

We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.