Applying for an onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820) often involves a lengthy processing period. If your current visa expires before your partner visa application is finalised, a bridging visa ensures you maintain lawful status in Australia until a decision is made.

Bridging Visas are granted for various reasons, including:

• If you're awaiting a court decision on a visa-related appeal

• If you're awaiting an administrative appeals tribunal decision on a visa refusal or cancellation

• If you've requested ministerial intervention

• If you are currently in Australia without a valid visa but are actively making arrangements for your lawful departure

Types of Bridging Visas for Partner Visa Applicants

Understanding bridging visas is essential if you're applying for a partner visa in Australia. These temporary visas ensure you can stay in Australia legally while your partner visa application is being processed. Here is a brief overview of the types of bridging visas suitable for partner visa applicants:

●Bridging Visa A (BVA): This visa enables you to remain lawfully in Australia once your current substantive visa expires while your new application is being processed. It is granted if you lodge your application for a substantive visa while holding a valid substantive visa.

Remember, you can’t travel outside Australia on this visa.

●Bridging Visa B (BVB): For any unforeseen situation, if you need to travel overseas, the BVA visa that is automatically granted when you apply for a partner visa while you are in Australia doesn't allow you to leave the country. So, in such a scenario, you need to apply for another visa called BVB because it allows travel and return to Australia while your main application is still being processed.

●Bridging Visa C (BVC): The BVC is also somewhat similar to Bridging Visa A as it is issued when the applicant submits a valid application for a substantive visa. Its primary difference is that, when applying, the applicant does not have a substantive visa. This visa is typically granted in two instances. First, an applicant on a bridging visa submits a substantive visa application. Second, the applicant had been unlawfully residing in Australia at the time of their application.

●Bridging Visa D (BVD): A Bridging Visa D (BVD) is granted to individuals who cannot apply for a substantive visa before their current visa expires. It allows you to remain in Australia temporarily while you submit a substantive visa application, arrange to leave the country, or apply for a Bridging Visa E (BVE).

Remember, this visa doesn't allow for work rights.

●Bridging Visa E (BVE): Bridging Visa E allows individuals to stay in Australia legally while making arrangements to leave the country. It is typically granted to those applying for a substantive visa, awaiting an appeal decision, or seeking ministerial intervention. This visa is also available to applicants applying for a protection visa.

Eligibility Criteria for Bridging Visas

To be eligible for a Bridging Visa as a partner visa applicant, you must meet the following criteria:

Meeting Relationship Requirements

You must show that your relationship is genuine and lasting if you want a partner visa. (You must provide marriage certificates, messages, photos, and joint bills).

Health and Character Requirements

To stay in Australia, it is important to prove that you are healthy. You must pass health checks to ensure you don't bring sickness that may hurt others or cost much care.

Also, you must prove that your character is clean and that there are no significant criminal convictions or other relevant character concerns, which might be a problem. (For these checks, gather relevant documentation such as medical records or police reports from every country you've lived in for more than 12 months over the last ten years.)

Bottom Line: The path to Australian residency is paved with paperwork and timelines. That is why understanding bridging visas for partner visa applicants is essential for navigating the visa application process. If you require in-depth details, contact us today!