Applying for a Partner Visa while onshore in Australia often means transitioning to a Bridging Visa as you wait for your application to be processed.
Key Facts
This article provides a summary of general information about how Bridging Visas work for Partner Visa applicants. Keep in mind, while this guide offers a broad overview, it’s crucial to seek personalized advice to ensure the best outcome for your unique circumstances.
What is a Bridging Visa?
A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that acts as a "bridge" between your current visa and the visa you're applying for.
When you lodge an onshore Partner Visa application, you usually receive a Bridging Visa that allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while your application is being processed. This visa maintains your legal status and comes into effect once your current visa expires.
It is important to understand that you cannot apply for a Bridging Visa on its own; it’s almost always linked to an application for another substantive visa.
How will a Bridging Visa help my Partner Visa?
Bridging Visas are a significant advantage for Partner Visa applicants as they allow couples to remain together in Australia while waiting for their Partner Visa application to be processed.
Instead of facing the stress and emotional strain of separation, a Bridging Visa ensures that partners can continue to live, work, or study in Australia, maintaining their daily lives and relationships. This reduces the amount of time couples need to spend apart and helps foster stability and connection during the often-lengthy visa processing period.
Will a Bridging Visa work for me?
Determining whether the onshore Partner Visa pathway will work for you involves understanding your current visa status, conditions attached to it (such as "No Further Stay"), and your eligibility for a Bridging Visa during the application process.
Port Migration can help by reviewing your specific situation and providing tailored advice to create a Partner Visa plan that fits your needs. With our guidance, you’ll know the best steps to take, avoid potential pitfalls, and ensure that your application is as strong as possible for a successful outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Bridging Visa allows you to legally stay in Australia while your Partner Visa application is being processed. It "bridges" the gap between the expiry of your current substantive visa (e.g., Visitor or Student Visa) and the decision on your Partner Visa application. This ensures you remain in Australia lawfully and can continue living with your partner during the waiting period.
Your Bridging Visa is typically granted soon after you submit your Partner Visa application, but it only becomes active once your current substantive visa expires. Until then, the conditions of your existing visa still apply. For instance, if you're on a Student Visa, you must continue to comply with its conditions until the Bridging Visa activates.
Most Partner Visa applicants receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which allows you to stay in Australia but generally does not permit re-entry if you leave the country. If you need to travel, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB), which provides re-entry rights during the waiting period.
Work rights on a Bridging Visa depend on the type and the conditions attached to it. For example, a Bridging Visa A might come with no work rights initially, but you can request a change if you can demonstrate financial hardship. Partner Visa applicants often find their Bridging Visa allows work once their substantive visa conditions no longer apply.
A Bridging Visa is usually granted quickly after submitting your Partner Visa application, sometimes within a few days to weeks. However, it’s essential to ensure your application is complete and correct to avoid any processing delays. Always check your online visa application portal for updates on your Bridging Visa status.
A 'No Further Stay' condition (e.g., Condition 8503) prevents you from applying for most visas while in Australia. However, you can request a waiver of this condition under specific circumstances, such as significant changes in your situation. If waived, you can proceed with your Partner Visa application and receive a Bridging Visa.
If you hold a Bridging Visa A, travel outside Australia is not allowed unless you apply for a Bridging Visa B, which grants temporary travel rights. It's essential to plan ahead and secure the Bridging Visa B before leaving, as being outside Australia without it could affect your ability to return to Australia while your application is being processed.
