From Monday 30 November 2026, the Department of Home Affairs will assess newly lodged Bridging visa B (BVB) applications associated with employer sponsored visa applications more closely against the existing legal requirements.

Applications for these visas to travel overseas should be lodged as soon as the need for travel is known and before 30 November if possible.

As a recap, employees with pending visa applications who hold a Bridging Visa A, will need a BVB in order to depart and re-enter Australia pending the processing of their applications. A BVB must be granted before the employee leaves Australia. Employees must return within the travel facility period.

The new government policy means:

• Delays on processing BVBs are likely and we will be unable to expedite the decision.  The Department recommends applying between two weeks and three months before planned travel. It also says employees do not need to buy flights to demonstrate their intention to travel. They should consider the risk of making non-refundable bookings before a decision is made.
• Rejection of BVB applications are possible if the applications are not well evidenced or do not establish ‘substantial reasons’.
• The legal test has not changed. Under the Migration Regulations, the decision-maker must be satisfied that the applicant has substantial reasons for wishing to leave and re-enter Australia while their substantive visa application is being considered. However providing substantial reasons Applicants must now provide a reason that is substantial and supporting documents.
• The regulations do not provide a fixed list of reasons that will qualify. The Department says each application will be assessed against the person’s stated reason for travel and individual circumstances. The Department has not yet provided further guidance on this approach.
• It has however clearly stated that a stricter approach in these applications will be applied.  A general statement that an employee wants to take a holiday or visit family may not, by itself, show substantial reasons. For example, where travel is to visit a seriously ill family member, relevant information or evidence about the circumstances will help the delegate assess the application.
• Employees should explain why they need to travel, their anticipated travel dates and how long they expect to be away. They should provide supporting information relevant to their circumstances.
• The Department has also advised that BVB travel facilities will generally be shorter than has recently been the practice. The period granted will reflect the reason for travel, anticipated dates and individual circumstances, rather than longer periods being granted as a matter of course.

Planning for summer and Christmas travel

• The change begins just before the Australian summer and Christmas holiday period, when employees may already be planning international travel or taking leave.
• Employees may receive a shorter travel facility than expected (or potentially be refused permission to leave and re-enter altogether). If the travel period does not cover their planned return, this could affect their ability to return to Australia and resume work as planned.
• Employers with employees planning overseas travel should encourage them to check their visa position and discuss the proposed trip you and our office as early as possible.
• Employers may wish to factor the change into employees’ leave and international travel plans over the holiday period.

Fees
The government lodgement fee is $575.

We will be increasing our fees for BVB applications to reflect the additional work likely to be required to prepare detailed submissions and supporting evidence under the Department’s more rigorous approach. We also expect the increased scrutiny to result in a higher refusal rate. We will provide a fee quote when you contact us to instruct us on a BVB application.

Applications already lodged

• Applications lodged before 30 November 2026 will continue to be processed in line with recent practice.
• The Department says no additional information or evidence is required for applications already on hand unless it requests it.

If you would like to discuss how this may affect your business or visa strategy, please contact the Ajuria Lawyers team.

The post Important Bridging visa B changes from 30 November 2026 first appeared on Ajuria Lawyers – Leaders in Immigration.