Subclass 051 — Bridging Visa E (BVE) — Protection Visa Applicant — Australia — immi.wiki

The Subclass 051 Bridging Visa E (BVE) is a bridging visa specifically for persons who have applied for a Protection Visa (Subclass 866) and who are not eligible for a Subclass 010 BVA — typically because they were unlawful (their previous visa had expired) at the time they lodged the protection application.

The Subclass 051 BVE allows the protection visa applicant to remain in Australia lawfully while their protection claim is assessed by the Department of Home Affairs. It is automatically granted in most cases where an eligible person lodges a protection visa application and does not hold a BVA.

Protection visa processing can be lengthy. Holders of the Subclass 051 BVE may become eligible to apply for work rights after a period of 6 months from the date their protection visa application was lodged, provided the delay in processing is not attributable to the applicant. Medicare access is available while the BVE 051 is current.

The Subclass 051 BVE is granted to persons who:

• Have lodged a valid application for a Protection Visa (Subclass 866)
• Are in Australia at the time of application
• Are not eligible for a BVA — typically because they were unlawful when the protection application was lodged

Persons who were in Australia on a valid visa when they lodged their protection application will generally receive a BVA (Subclass 010) rather than a BVE 051.

Unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs): The BVE 051 does not apply to UMAs — persons who arrived by boat without prior permission are subject to the offshore processing regime under s 198AD of the Migration Act 1958 and are generally not eligible to apply for protection visas in Australia.

The Subclass 051 BVE is linked to the Protection Visa (Subclass 866) application — it is not applied for using a separate form in most cases. For current guidance on protection visa applications and the associated BVE, refer to the DHA Subclass 051 page.

The Subclass 051 BVE carries:

• Condition 8101 — no work, initially. After 6 months from the date of the protection visa application (if the delay is not caused by the applicant), the holder may apply to have work rights granted
• No travel rights — departure from Australia while holding only a BVE 051 will cause the visa to cease
• Medicare eligibility — the holder is eligible to access Medicare while the BVE 051 is current

The BVE 051 ceases when the protection visa application is decided. If the application is refused, the holder may be granted a further BVE (Subclass 050) or will need to make arrangements to depart Australia. For current conditions, refer to the DHA conditions check page.