Subclass 030 — Bridging Visa C (BVC) — Australia — immi.wiki

The Subclass 030 Bridging Visa C (BVC) allows a person to remain lawfully in Australia while a substantive visa application is being processed. The key distinction between the BVC and the BVA is the circumstances in which each is granted: the BVA is granted to persons who were lawfully in Australia when they lodged the substantive visa application; the BVC is granted to persons who were unlawful (i.e., their previous visa had already expired) at the time they lodged the application.

Like the BVA, the BVC does not carry travel rights. A holder who departs Australia while on a BVC will cause the visa to cease. The BVC typically imposes condition 8101 (no work), so holders generally cannot work while waiting for their substantive visa decision.

A BVC may be granted to a person who:

• Is in Australia (was unlawful when the substantive application was lodged, but is now lawfully in Australia on the BVC)
• Has lodged a valid application for a substantive visa in Australia
• Was an unlawful non-citizen at the time of lodging the substantive application

The BVC is not applied for separately — it is granted in connection with the substantive visa application. The Department determines which bridging visa subclass to grant based on the applicant's status at the time of application.

Because the person was unlawful at the time of application, Schedule 3 criteria may apply to the substantive visa application — these are additional criteria that apply to persons who have been unlawful, which can affect the outcome of the substantive visa application.

The BVC is granted by the Department in connection with the lodgement of the substantive visa application — it is not applied for separately using a dedicated form. For current information about what happens if you were unlawful when you applied, refer to the DHA Subclass 030 page.

The BVC carries condition 8101 (no work) — the holder cannot work unless the Department has specifically granted work rights in the particular BVC. Travel outside Australia is not permitted — departure will cause the BVC to cease. The BVC ceases when the substantive visa is granted or refused.

For specific conditions at the time of application, refer to the DHA conditions check page.