Breaking Australian immigration news brought to you by Migration Alliance and associated bloggers.
The DIBP no longer accept Bridging Visa B's electronically. The following is a message being sent to RMAs:
We are no longer able to accept Bridging Visa applications electronically.
It must be hand delivered to your nearest Immigration office or posted in. Posting it in may take up to 14 days to get to the Perth office for processing so it may be more beneficial to attend your nearest immigration office.
If you wish to post it the address is:
Department of Immigration
WA 457 Administration
Locked Bag 7
Northbridge, WA
6865
BRIDGING VISA B’s
If you currently hold a Bridging Visa A and intend to apply for a Bridging visa B to travel outside of Australia please attend your local Immigration Office to apply. If you are unable to attend an Immigration Office, you may complete Form 1006 and mail it to your nearest DIBP Office.
For DIBP Office locations locations please see http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/Australia.aspx.
If you intend to travel within the next 7 days and cannot attend a processing office, please include a note in your mailed application to advise on the date or travel with the words “URGENT BVB”.
If you send a Bridging visa application via email to this address it will not be a valid application and it will not be assessed.
I have been waiting for a BVB for my fiance for 8 weeks so i called today and was told that the form wont even be looked at until 1 week before departure. Very frustrating as we posted it in and don't even know if it has been received. This department should at least send out an email stating its been received and will be processed at a nominated time.
9 Days until departure to go guess ill just have to keep my fingers crossed.