030 Bridging visa C (BVC)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Bridging visa C (subclass 030)
Visa type	Temporary bridging visa
Purpose	Await substantive visa outcome
Stay	Until application is finally determined
Cost	Free
Apply/grant location	Must be in Australia
Eligibility timing	Valid unresolved application or judicial review
Work rights	Usually restricted; hardship may permit work
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	No return travel permitted
Citizenship	Cannot await citizenship decision
Family sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Family inclusion	If included in substantive application
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Processing times	Not available

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Purpose

The Bridging visa C (BVC) lets you remain lawfully in Australia while:

• a substantive visa application is being processed or finally determined; or
• judicial review proceedings associated with that application are completed.

Nearly all bridging visas are applied for automatically with a substantive visa application. A BVC may be granted if you made a valid substantive visa application in Australia but did not hold a substantive visa.

A separate BVC application may be needed if:

• you seek a further BVC without work restrictions; or
• you have applied for judicial review.

You cannot use a bridging visa while awaiting a citizenship application decision.

Eligibility

You must:

• be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted;
• not hold a Bridging visa E (BVE);
• not have held a BVE since last holding a substantive visa;
• have not held a substantive visa when lodging the substantive visa application;
• have a valid substantive visa application that has not been finally determined; or
• have applied for judicial review within the prescribed timeframe, with proceedings unfinished, and previously held a BVC linked to that substantive application;
• meet the character requirement.

There is no age limit.

Review timeframes

For judicial review, the stated timeframe is 35 days from the Tribunal’s decision. Applying outside statutory time limits may affect eligibility for a further BVC.

If you applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal within the prescribed timeframe, you may not need a further bridging visa.

Stay and When It Ends

A BVC comes into effect when:

• it is granted;
• your current substantive visa ceases; or
• a more beneficial bridging visa ceases.

If you still hold a substantive visa when the BVC is granted, you must comply with that substantive visa until it ceases. The BVC conditions then apply.

A BVC ends immediately if you:

• leave Australia while it is in effect;
• are granted the substantive visa;
• are granted another bridging visa for the same substantive visa application; or
• have the BVC or relevant substantive visa cancelled.

You cannot extend a BVC. Apply for a new visa if you wish to remain longer.

Cessation after an outcome

For BVCs granted on or after 19 November 2016, the visa generally ceases:

• 35 calendar days after refusal, an AAT decision, invalidity, or withdrawal of a substantive visa or AAT review application;
• 28 calendar days after a judicial review body upholds refusal, or after withdrawal of judicial review.

For BVCs granted before 19 November 2016, it generally ceases 28 days after specified refusal, invalidity, withdrawal, merits-review, or judicial-review events.

Check your specific departure date and conditions in VEVO.

Work Rights

The initial BVC generally does not permit work.

It may permit work where the substantive visa application is for one of these visas:

• Business Talent (subclass 132)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188)
• Skilled—Independent (subclass 189)
• Skilled—Nominated (subclass 190)
• Skilled—Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489)
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888)

If your BVC prohibits or restricts work, you can apply for another BVC with work rights if you demonstrate financial hardship. The Department assesses the hardship claim. If requirements are not met, a new BVC may retain the prior work restriction.

Judicial-review work rules

• Protection visa applicants: a work-permitting BVC can only be granted if the last BVC permitted work.
• SkillSelect visa applicants: a BVC for judicial review does not initially permit work; you must make a further BVC application and demonstrate financial hardship.
• Other applicants: a BVC granted for judicial review will not permit work, even if the previous BVC permitted work.

Family Provisions

If family members were included in a combined substantive visa application lodged in Australia, they may already hold a bridging visa. Check this in VEVO.

If applying separately for a BVC, you may include members of your family unit if they are included in the substantive visa application. Each family member is assessed individually for the appropriate bridging visa.

Travel

A BVC does not support return travel to Australia.

If you leave Australia while the BVC is in effect:

• the BVC ceases on departure; and
• you cannot return on that BVC.

BVC holders cannot be granted a Bridging visa B (BVB) for travel and return while the substantive visa application is processed.

If you depart without another visa that allows return, you must apply for and be granted a substantive visa before returning. There is no guarantee a visa will be granted.

Obligations

You and included family members must:

• comply with all Australian laws;
• comply with conditions of any current visa; and
• comply with BVC conditions once the BVC takes effect.

Use VEVO to check visa status and specific conditions.

Notify the Department of changes including:

• phone number, email address, residential address, or passport;
• birth of a child; or
• withdrawal of the application.

If you made an error in your application, notify the Department promptly using Form 1023.

Required Documents

Provide accurate information and clear colour copies of:

• current passport pages showing photo, personal details, issue date, and expiry date;
• national identity card, if available;
• evidence of any name change; and
• evidence of financial hardship, if seeking changed work conditions.

Name-change evidence may include a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, official change-of-name document, or records showing other names used.

All non-English documents must be translated into English.

• Translators in Australia must be accredited by NAATI.
• Overseas translators must provide their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications, and language experience in English.
• Documents do not need certification.
• Scan or photograph documents in colour and clearly.
• Save multi-page documents as one file.

If appointing a representative:

• use Form 956A for an authorised recipient;
• use Form 956 for immigration assistance.

How to Apply

From 1 August 2022, BVC applications cannot be made in person or by paper form.

1. Check whether you already hold a BVC in VEVO.
2. Gather identity, name-change, and hardship evidence where applicable.
3. Apply in the same manner as the substantive visa application:
   • If the substantive visa was lodged through ImmiAccount, apply through ImmiAccount.
   • If the substantive visa was lodged by paper, submit Form 1005 through the online webform.
   • If applying after a review decision, submit Form 1005 through the online webform.
4. Ensure all applicants are in Australia when the application is lodged.
5. Submit early and remain lawful while the application is processed.

For webform applications, attach all documents before submitting. You cannot attach additional documents afterwards.

For ImmiAccount applications, attach missing documents as soon as possible.

Processing and Outcome

There are no published processing times and the Department does not provide processing-status updates.

The Department will confirm receipt of the application and documents. It may request further information.

You and anyone included in the application must be in Australia when a decision is made.

If granted, the Department will provide:

• visa grant number;
• visa start date; and
• visa conditions, if applicable.

If refused, the Department will provide reasons and advise whether review rights exist.

Visa Record

The visa is digitally linked to your passport. You will not receive a passport label.

Use VEVO to prove your visa status, check conditions, and confirm when the visa is in effect.