Bridging Visa A (BVA) Subclass 010

Bridging Visa A Overview

A Bridging Visa A (BVA) lets you stay in Australia after your current main visa ends. You get this visa when you ask for a new main visa while you’re in Australia with a valid visa. This visa acts as a link between your current visa and the result of your new visa request.

Bridging Visa A Purpose

A BVA has an influence on your legal status in Australia while officials review your main visa request. It makes sure you can stay in the country without breaking any immigration rules during this in-between time. This visa helps a lot when your current visa is about to run out, but you’re still waiting to hear about your new visa request.

Key features

A Bridging Visa A has key aspects you need to know:

If you travel on your current substantive visa after you submit another substantive visa application, your BVA will end when you leave Australia. If this happens, you’ll need to apply to have your BVA restored when you come back to Australia. If you don’t do this before your current visa expires, you could become unlawful.

Eligibility Requirements for Bridging Visa A

To qualify for a Bridging Visa A (BVA), you must meet specific criteria that the Australian Department of Home Affairs has set. Let’s break down these requirements to help you understand if you’re eligible for this temporary visa.

Current visa status

To be eligible for a BVA, you must:

1. Hold or have held a valid Australian substantive visa
2. Be in Australia when you apply
3. Not be in immigration clearance

If you get a BVA when you make a valid onshore application for a substantive visa while holding a valid substantive visa. This means you don’t need to submit a separate application to get a BV in most cases.

Visa application status

Your eligibility to get a BVA also depends on the status of your substantive visa application:

1. Did you apply for your main visa through ImmiAccount and haven’t asked for a review? If so, you must send in your bridging visa application through ImmiAccount.
2. Did you apply for your main visa using a paper form? Then you need to use Form 1005 to apply for a BVA.

You won’t pay extra government fees when you apply for a BVA that’s given with your main visa application.

Character requirements

Meeting character requirements plays a key role in all visa applications, including the BVA. To meet these requirements, you must:

1. Have a clean criminal history.
2. Be free of domestic violence convictions.
3. Not face a domestic violence restraining order
4. Have no accusations or convictions of assaulting a minor.
5. Not pose a security threat, according to Australian intelligence
6. Not be flagged by Interpol as a potential danger to Australia
7. Not belong to any known criminal groups
8. Not be linked to human trafficking, war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity.

Also, when you’re in Australia, you can’t:

1. Put Australia or any part of its community at risk.
2. Get involved in illegal activities.
3. Use words to abuse or write hurtful things about Australians.
4. Start fights in Australia on purpose
5. Attack, hurt, or follow someone without their consent.

To back up your character claims, you might need to show extra papers like:

1. Police Report
2. Military Record (if it applies to you)
3. Character review
4. Sworn Statement
5. Job reference about your conduct (if it applies to you)

Being truthful is key when you ask for any Australian visa. Make sure you answer every question and give all the information the immigration office needs.

Benefits of Bridging Visa A

A Bridging Visa A (BVA) has many perks while you wait to hear about your main visa application. Let’s look at the key benefits this short-term visa gives you.

Legal stay in Australia

A big plus of a BVA is that it lets you stay in Australia while officials review your main visa application. This means you don’t need to stress about staying longer than your old visa allows or becoming someone who’s here without permission. The BVA kicks in when your previous visa runs out giving you a sense of calm during this in-between time.

Keep in mind that you must follow the rules of your old visa until it runs out. For instance, if you have a student visa, you need to keep up with your studies and finish your course as required.

Possible job rights

A BVA might allow you to work in Australia, based on your case. Often, your job rights on a BVA will match those of your last main visa. For example:

• If your previous visa let you work without limits, your BVA will do the same.
• If you had a student visa that allowed you to work 20 hours a week, this limit will apply to your BVA too.

But if your BVA doesn’t let you work or limits your work options, you might be able to get a second BVA that allows you to work. To do this, you’ll need to show you’re having money troubles.

In some situations, like for people bridging to a 482 visa, you can ask to have work limits removed. This can help if you need more job choices.

Getting Medicare

Another big plus of a BVA is that you might be able to get Medicare, which is Australia’s public health insurance. To get Medicare while on a BVA, you have to meet some requirements:

1. You need to have submitted an application for a permanent visa in Australia (not including Parent visas).
2. You need to have a valid temporary visa, which can be a bridging visa.
3. You also need to meet one of these conditions:
   • Your spouse, de facto partner, parent, or child is an Australian citizen or has permanent residency.
   • You have the right to work in Australia.

If you tick all these boxes, you can sign up for Medicare. This gives you access to key healthcare services for free or at a low cost. It can save you a lot of money and put your mind at ease about your health needs while you’re in Australia.

Keep in mind that if your main visa application gets turned down and you decide to appeal, you might have a chance to keep your Medicare enrollment during the appeal process. But if you haven’t filed an appeal, you won’t be able to get Medicare coverage.

Rights and Restrictions of Bridging Visa A

When you get a Bridging Visa A (BVA), you need to know your rights and restrictions. This visa has specific conditions you must follow to keep your legal status in Australia.

Travel restrictions

Your BVA doesn’t let you leave and come back to Australia. If you go overseas with a BVA, your visa will end, and you can’t return. If you need to travel, you have two choices:

1. Ask for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before you leave Australia.
2. Apply for a new visa once you’re outside Australia.

BVBs come with a set travel period. The Department of Home Affairs decides this timeframe based on your travel reasons and when they expect to reach a verdict on your main visa application.

Duration of stay

Your BVA stays valid until they make a decision on your main visa application. It kicks in when your old visa runs out and doesn’t have a fixed end date. But keep in mind, your BVA ends right away if:

1. They give you the visa you asked for.
2. You take back your visa application.
3. They deny or cancel your visa application.

Visa conditions

Your BVA has the same rules as your last main visa. For example, if your previous student visa let you work 20 hours, your BVA will probably have the same limit. You need to follow these rules to stay legal.

Work rights

The work you can do on a BVA depends on your old visa and the new one you’re trying to get. Here’s what you should know:

1. Your BVA will have the same work rights if your previous visa allowed unlimited work.
2. Your BVA will give you full work rights if you’re applying for certain visas (such as Graduate Skilled or Skilled Independent) even if your old visa had limits.
3. You might be able to apply for a second BVA with work rights if your current BVA doesn’t let you work or has restrictions. You’ll need to show financial hardship to do this.

Study rights

The study rights on a BVA can be different:

1. Your BVA comes with the same study rules as your previous visa.
2. If the visa you’re seeking doesn’t limit your studies, your BVA won’t either.
3. You can show proof of your right to study by giving your school your VEVO entitlements and the letter that confirms you applied for a visa.

Your BVA and its rules kick in when your current main visa runs out. Until that happens, you need to stick to the rules of your current visa.

How to Apply for a Bridging Visa A

Application process

To get a Bridging Visa A (BVA), you need to use the same method you used to apply for your main visa. If you applied for your main visa online, you must submit your BVA application online too. If you applied for your main visa using a paper form, you’ll need Form 1005 to apply for your BVA.

If you applied for your main visa through ImmiAccount and haven’t asked for a review, you must submit your bridging visa application through ImmiAccount. This process is easy:

1. Look for the right webform on the Department of Immigration website.
2. Pick the form that fits the bridging visa you want (in this case, Bridging Visa A).
3. Enter all your details with care, including personal info like your passport number and email address.
4. Review all the information before you send in your application.

Required documents

To make your application go, you need to attach all needed documents through the online webform. These documents are key, as they help the immigration team get a better picture of your situation. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

1. Identity papers
2. Evidence of any name changes
3. A recent photograph of yourself
4. Completed Form 1005 (Application for a Bridging visa)

You must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance to be eligible for a BVA. Make sure you give true and accurate information in your application form and supporting documents. The decision on your Bridging visa application will depend on this information.

Processing time

The Bridging Visa A application process doesn’t take long. Most people who qualify get their BVA within a few days after they apply. It takes about a week to process bridging visa applications. Keep in mind that COVID-19 might slow things down a bit.

To make things go faster, be sure to turn in a full application with all the papers you need. The Immigration Department doesn’t say how many days or weeks it’ll take, but if you send in everything, it’ll go through quicker.

Applying for a Bridging Visa A has an advantage: it costs nothing. You won’t pay to apply or face extra fees, making it easier for people to get.

Your BVA starts only after your current main visa ends. Until then, you must follow the rules of your current visa.

Bridging Visa A vs Other Bridging Visas

As you look into Australian visas, you’ll see different types of bridging visas. Each one has a specific use and unique features. Let’s look at how Bridging Visa A (BVA) compares to other bridging visas and when it’s your best option.

Comparison with BVB, BVC, BVD, and BVE

When to choose Bridging Visa A

A Bridging Visa A is your best choice when:

1. You want to apply for a new substantive visa while you’re in Australia on a valid visa.
2. You aim to keep your current visa conditions, including your right to work.
3. You need to stay in Australia after your current visa runs out.
4. You want the option to ask for overseas travel permission (through a BVB) if you need it.
5. You’re waiting to hear about your substantive visa application and want to remain in Australia during this time.

You get a BVA without asking when you submit a valid onshore application for a substantive visa while you have a valid substantive visa. This visa lets you stay in Australia and, in many cases, keep working under the same rules as your previous visa.

Tips for Managing Your Bridging Visa A

Staying informed about your visa status

To manage your Bridging Visa A (BVA) well, you need to keep track of your visa status. The Department of Home Affairs offers an online system called Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO lets you check your visa details and conditions online. This digital system helps you monitor your visa status and any rules that come with it. Remember to check VEVO often to see if there are any changes to your visa conditions.

Meeting visa conditions

It’s essential to follow the rules of your BVA to avoid breaking Australian immigration laws. Your BVA has the same rules as your previous visa. For example, if you could work on your previous visa, you can work on your BVA. But if your previous visa didn’t let you work, your BVA won’t allow you to work either. In these cases, you might be able to ask for a new BVA that lets you work if you can show you’re in financial trouble.

Your BVA starts when your old visa runs out. Until then, you need to stick to the rules of your main visa, including keeping up with your studies and finishing any course if you’re on a Student visa.

Planning for your main visa

While on a BVA, you need to plan to apply for your main visa. Keep an eye on how your application is going by checking your email often and any messages from the Department of Home Affairs. Make sure the department knows how to reach you and tells them right away if you change your address, phone number, or email.

If you’re not sure about any part of your BVA or main visa application, ask a registered migration agent or lawyer for help. It’s also smart to have a backup plan in case your visa application gets turned down. Know what you can do and be ready to move fast if you need to.

Keep travel restrictions in mind. Your BVA will end if you leave Australia, and you can’t come back. You must get a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before you go or apply for a new visa from outside Australia if you need to travel. The BVB gives you freedom to travel letting you leave and return within the set travel time without affecting your immigration status.

Extending Your Bridging Visa A

When you have a Bridging Visa A (BVA), you might need to stay longer. You need to know how to extend your BVA to keep your legal status in Australia.

Circumstances for extension

You might have to extend your BVA if your current visa is about to run out and you’ve put in an application for a new substantive visa. The BVA kicks in to allow you to stay in Australia while you wait to hear back about your new visa application. Keep in mind that to be eligible for a BVA extension, you must submit an application for a new substantive visa before your current one ends.

Application process for extension

To extend your BVA, you need to take these steps:

1. Send your application before your current visa runs out: This keeps you in Australia.
2. Get your papers ready: Make sure you have all your documents in order.
3. Turn in a full application: Double-check that you’ve filled out everything for the new visa.
4. Follow the rules: Stick to all the guidelines set by the Department of Home Affairs.

When you ask to extend your stay, you get a new BVA. This lets you stay in Australia after your current main visa ends while they process your new main visa application.

What might happen

After you ask to extend your BVA, a few things could happen:

1. Extended stay: A successful application means your BVA kicks in when your current visa runs out. This keeps your stay in Australia legal without any breaks.
2. Time to process: Your BVA stays valid while officials look at your new main visa application.
3. New visa outcome: When they decide on your new main visa application, your BVA ends. You’ll then get the new visa or need to make other plans.

Keep in mind, the BVA helps you switch between visas without hassle. If you follow the rules and meet all the requirements, you can stay in Australia during this change.

Moving from BVA to Substantive Visa

When you have a Bridging Visa A (BVA), you’re in a waiting period until the government decides on your substantive visa application. This time can make you feel unsure, but knowing how things work can help you deal with it better.

How you’ll learn about your visa decision

The government will tell you once they decide on your substantive visa application. If they say yes, your BVA will end, and your new substantive visa will start. But if they say no, you’ll get some extra time.

Extra time after a no decision

When your main visa application gets turned down, your BVA doesn’t end right away. You get some time to think about what to do next:

1. For BVAs given on or after November 19, 2016, you have 35 days after the decision.
2. If you got your BVA before November 19, 2016, you have 28 days from when you were told.

During this period, you can choose to challenge the decision, try for a different visa, or plan to leave Australia.

What you can do if your main visa is denied?

If your main visa application is denied, you have a few choices:

1. Challenge the verdict: You can ask for a review with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) within the given time limit. Your BVA stays valid while they look at your case again.
2. Try for a different visa: You might qualify to apply for certain visa types, like a partner visa or another bridging visa. But you’ll face limits on the kinds of visas you can ask for while in Australia.
3. Ask the Minister to step in: In rare cases with strong humanitarian reasons, you can request the Minister to intervene and make a more favourable decision.
4. Get ready to exit Australia: Should you choose not to follow any of the options mentioned earlier, you’ll need to plan your departure from Australia before your BVA runs out.

If the officials deny or revoke your visa, you might need to get a Bridging Visa E (BVE) to stay in Australia while you figure out your next steps. The BVE gives you permission to remain in Australia while you plan your exit or look into other visa choices.

Choosing the right visa for your Australian journey

The Bridging Visa A plays a key role in Australia’s immigration system, serving as an essential link between visas for people in transition. This offers a legal way for you to remain in the country, often with the right to work, while awaiting a decision on your new substantive visa application. The flexibility of this visa allows individuals to keep their status and, in many cases, to carry on with their daily lives without disruption.

To sum up, knowing how a Bridging Visa A works is essential for anyone going through the Australian visa process. This temporary visa kicks in and has travel restrictions, but it plays a crucial role in keeping people’s immigration plans on track. When you understand its perks, limits, and how to handle it well, you can make good use of your time in Australia while working towards your long-term visa goals.

FAQs

How does having a Bridging Visa A help?

A Bridging Visa A (BVA) lets you stay in Australia while officials process your application for a substantive visa. This means you keep your legal status after your current visa runs out.

What do you need to get a Bridging Visa A?

To qualify for a Bridging Visa A, you need to have had or have a substantive visa, be in Australia when you apply, have put in a valid application for a substantive visa or for a merits or judicial review within the required time, and meet the character requirements.

Can you apply for a student visa if you’re on a Bridging Visa A?

Yes, you can apply for a student visa while in Australia on a substantive visa. If you have a Bridging Visa A, your last substantive visa must not have expired more than 28 days before you apply.

Can I travel overseas if my Bridging Visa A is not active?

You can’t go abroad on a Bridging Visa A (BVA) because it doesn’t allow you to come back to Australia after you leave. The visa starts working when your current visa runs out, and if you travel, it would make it invalid.

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