I Lodged Before My Visa Expired but Got No Bridging Visa. Is My Application Valid?

Why did I not get a bridging visa after lodging my partner visa?

The usual reasons for not getting a bridging visa after lodging a partner visa are that the grant notice went to someone else, that the application was lodged under the wrong class, or that the application was not valid. A notice may have been sent to a representative or to an old email address, or it may be visible only in ImmiAccount. Our article on the Bridging Visa A explains when it is granted and how the notice is delivered.

How can I check whether I hold a bridging visa?

An applicant can check whether they hold a bridging visa by using the Department's Visa Entitlement Verification Online service, known as VEVO, and by checking the correspondence list in ImmiAccount for a grant letter. VEVO shows every visa currently held, including a bridging visa that is not yet in effect. Our article on bridging visas in Australia explains how each type appears.

What if the bridging visa is missing because the application is invalid?

If the bridging visa is missing because the partner visa application is invalid, the applicant has only the protection of the substantive visa they still hold, and none at all once it expires. Common causes are lodging the offshore Subclass 309 instead of the onshore Subclass 820, a condition such as 8503 No Further Stay, or an unpaid charge. Our article on a partner visa application review explains how lodged applications are checked for these problems.

What should I do before my current visa expires?

Before the current visa expires, the applicant should confirm whether a bridging visa has been granted and, if not, find out why. While the substantive visa is still in effect, there is time to lodge a replacement valid application and keep the strongest position for the onshore pathway. Waiting until after expiry may leave the applicant unlawful and facing Schedule 3. Our page on the Subclass 820 visa explains the onshore validity rules.

What does a bridging visa give me while the partner visa is processed?

A bridging visa keeps the applicant lawful in Australia after the substantive visa ends and while the partner visa is processed. A Bridging Visa A for a partner visa usually carries work rights, but it does not allow travel, so a Bridging Visa B is needed before leaving Australia. Our articles on partner visa bridging visa work rights and life on a bridging visa during a partner visa explain these rules.

How does My Migration Lawyers resolve a missing bridging visa?

My Migration Lawyers resolves a missing bridging visa by checking VEVO and the ImmiAccount record with the client, then reviewing the lodged application against the Schedule 1 rules to find out whether the problem is notification or validity. If the application is valid, the firm obtains confirmation of the bridging visa. If it is not, the firm prepares a valid application, ideally before the substantive visa ends. Couples can request this check through the form on this page.