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Bridging Visa C (BVC) Australia

Stay in Australia lawfully while your immigration status is resolved

A Bridging visa C (BVC) Subclass 030 is a transitory visa that will be issued to you if you are in Australia whilst not holding a current valid visa after you lodge a valid application for a substantive visa. This is applicable if you lodged a valid application even after overstaying your visa and becoming unlawful. In general, this temporary visa permits you to remain in Australia while your application for a new substantive visa is being processed and after your existing substantive visa expires.

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The Australian Migration Lawyers difference

What is the bridging visa C (BVC)?

With the Bridging Visa C, you are able to remain lawfully in Australia until the outcome of your substantive visa application, or if it is approved in conjunction with judicial review, until those procedures are completed. 

Initially, when you are granted a BVC after you apply for a substantive visa, you will not be permitted to work. However, you will be permitted to work if the substantive visa you have applied for is one of the following SkillSelect visas:

  1. Business Talent visa (subclass 132)
  2. Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
  3. Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)
  4. Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
  5. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
  6. Skilled – Independent visa (subclass 189)
  7. Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190)
  8. Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).

If your BVC does not let you work in Australia, you can lodge a separate application for another BVC requesting the ability to work. To be considered for a BVC that permits you to work, you will ideally have to demonstrate financial hardship.

Eligibility requirements for the bridging visa C (BVC)

In order to be eligible for a BVC, there are certain requirements in the eligibility criteria that must be met. Particularly, you will be required to demonstrate that you:

  • are currently in Australia;
  • are not an Australian Citizen;
  • have applied for another substantive visa or judicial review;
  • did not hold another substantive visa when you lodged your application for a substantive; and
  • did not hold a Bridging Visa E (BVE) and have not held a BVE since last holding a substantive visa.

It is important to note that although there are no age requirements for a BVC, there are still certain character requirements that need to be fulfilled.

Benefits of a bridging visa C (BVC)

A bridging visa C (BVC) is beneficial because:

  • It allows you to stay in Australia until the outcome of your substantive visa application is finalised or if granted in conjunction with judicial review proceedings, until the conclusion of those procedures.
  • It does not have any age requirements.
  • May permit you to work provided that you qualify for BVC work rights. You can qualify for BVC work rights if you have applied for one of these substantive visas:  
    1. Business Talent visa (subclass 132)
    2. Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
    3. Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)
    4. Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
    5. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
    6. Skilled – Independent visa (subclass 189)
    7. Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190)
    8. Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
  • In the event that the BVC you are granted does not allow you to work, you can then subsequently lodge a separate application for another BVC with work rights that may let you work provided that you are able to demonstrate financial hardship.

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How does the bridging visa C (BVC) work?

A Bridging visa C (BVC) Subclass 030 is a temporary visa granted when an application is lodged in Australia for a new substantive visa while not holding any substantive visa. It allows a person to remain lawfully in Australia while their new substantive visa application is being processed. The BVC does not permit re-entry back to Australia after a person departs. It allows a person to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on their substantive visa application.

Benefits of using Australian Migration Lawyers for your bridging visa C

Australian Migration Lawyers will work to ensure that applicants satisfy all of the eligibility requirements in order to successfully receive a BVC once their application for a substantive visa has been lodged. We will also ensure that applicants do not encounter any issues while applying for a substantive visa.

In the event that your BVC does not come with work rights and you wish to work and can demonstrate financial hardship, Australian Migration Lawyers will assist you in a separate application in applying for another BVC without work restrictions.

Bridging visa C (BVC) costs

There are no fees associated with applying for a Bridging visa C (BVC) as it is free of cost and you will only need to fulfill all of the requirements. However, there may be fees associated with the substantive visa that you applied for which you need to have done to be eligible for a BVC.

Visa application process

Applying for a visa to Australia can be complex. With help from an Australian Migration Lawyer, we can untangle this complexity, and help you apply for the right visa.

1. Consultation and engagement

2. Preparation and support

3. Submission and communication

4. Representation and success

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Bridging visa C (BVC) processing times

Currently, any prescribed timeframes or visa processing time details are not available for this visa. Applications are evaluated by the Department according to a case-by-case analysis. Applications may take different amounts of time to process for a variety of reasons, including incomplete applications, the need for more information, verifications, and cross-checks. 

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Locations

We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.

Frequently asked questions

Read our most commonly asked questions about the bridging visa C in Australia.

How long can I stay in Australia on a bridging visa C?

Once a Bridging Visa C (BVC) is granted, it allows you to stay legally in Australia until the outcome of your substantive visa application is determined or where granted in conjunction with judicial review proceedings, until those judicial review proceedings are finalised.

Who is eligible for a bridging visa C in Australia?

You will be eligible for a bridging visa C in Australia if you are currently in Australia, are not an Australian Citizen and did not hold another substantive visa when you lodged your application for a substantive visa. You also must not have held a Bridging Visa E (BVE) and have not to have held a BVE since last holding a substantive visa

What is the difference between a bridging visa A, B and C?

A Bridging Visa (A) is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia once your current substantive visa ceases and while your application for another substantive visa is under process. You must hold a substantive visa when applying for another substantive visa in order to be granted a Bridging Visa (A). A Bridging visa B (BVB) allows you to travel out of Australia while you are on Bridging Visa A and waiting for the outcome of a substantive visa application. Whereas, a Bridging Visa C (BVC) is granted when you are unlawful at the time you lodged an application for a substantive visa.

Can I apply for another visa while on a bridging visa C?

You may be able to apply for other substantive visas while on a bridging visa C, dependent on the visa type. However, you cannot apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) because you need to be on a Bridging Visa (A) to be able to apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB). 

About the content author

Perry Q Wood
Partner - Principal Migration Lawyer

Perry Q Wood is Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and one of Australia’s leading administrative and migration lawyers. To date, he has been involved in 1,000+ migration and refugee matters.

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