Petition to Reconsider the Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) Application Fee Increase
Petition to Reconsider the Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) Application Fee Increase
The issue
To the Prime Minister of Australia, the Minister for Home Affairs, Members of Parliament, and the Department of Home Affairs,
We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon the Australian Government to reconsider and reverse the increase in the Bridging Visa B (BVB) application charge from AUD $190 to AUD $575, effective from 1 July 2026.
This represents an increase of more than 202%, which is vastly higher than Australia's annual inflation rate and significantly exceeds the indexation applied to most government charges and visa categories.
The Bridging Visa B is a unique visa that enables lawful temporary residents who are awaiting the outcome of substantive visa applications to travel overseas and return to Australia. Unlike many other visa applicants, BVB holders are already living in Australia and are already contributing to Australian society.
We believe this increase is disproportionate and warrants immediate review for the following reasons.
Reasons for this Petition
1. Bridging Visa B Holders Are Already Living Lawfully in Australia
Bridging Visa B applicants are not prospective migrants seeking initial entry into Australia.
They are already residing lawfully in Australia while awaiting decisions on substantive visa applications, including skilled migration, employer-sponsored, partner, graduate, and other visa pathways.
Granting a BVB does not result in additional migration intake, population growth, or increased demand on public infrastructure because the applicant is already present in Australia.
The BVB merely allows temporary travel and lawful return during an ongoing visa process.
2. Australia Is Already Home for Many BVB Holders
For many applicants, Australia has become their primary home.
Their employment, businesses, education, partners, children, homes, and community networks are located in Australia.
Many have spent years building their lives here while awaiting visa outcomes.
When they travel overseas, they are not seeking entry into a new country; they are seeking to return to the place where they live, work, and contribute.
The increased charge therefore creates a significant financial barrier for people returning to what is already their home.
3. Applicants Are Contributing to Australia While Awaiting Decisions
Bridging Visa holders make substantial contributions to Australia through:
Employment in critical industries and workforce shortage areas.
Payment of income tax and GST.
Superannuation contributions.
Rental and mortgage payments.
Consumer spending that supports Australian businesses.
Community participation and volunteering.
Many bridging visa holders have contributed to the Australian economy for years while awaiting final visa decisions.
The increase imposes additional costs on individuals who are already supporting Australia's economic growth and workforce needs.
4. Applicants Should Not Bear the Consequences of Extended Processing Times
Many applicants remain on bridging visas for prolonged periods due to visa processing timeframes that are outside their control.
Some have waited several years for decisions on permanent residency, partner visas, employer-sponsored visas, and other substantive applications.
The need to apply for a Bridging Visa B often arises because the substantive visa application remains under assessment.
Applicants should not face significantly increased costs as a consequence of lengthy administrative processing periods over which they have no influence.
5. International Travel Is Often Necessary Rather Than Optional
Many BVB holders apply for travel rights because they need to:
Visit seriously ill family members.
Attend funerals.
Care for ageing parents.
Respond to family emergencies.
Maintain essential family relationships.
For many migrants, international travel is not a luxury but an important family responsibility.
The increased charge may discourage individuals from travelling during critical life events or create financial hardship during already difficult circumstances.
6. The Magnitude of the Increase Is Disproportionate
The increase from $190 to $575 represents a rise of more than 202%.
By comparison, Australia's annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) has generally increased by only a few percentage points per year. A fee increase exceeding 200% is many times higher than ordinary inflation and significantly exceeds the level of annual indexation commonly applied across government services.
Such a substantial increase warrants a clear public explanation demonstrating why the cost of administering a Bridging Visa B has increased to a level that justifies tripling the application charge.
7. The Administrative Nature of the BVB Does Not Justify Such a Large Increase
A Bridging Visa B is fundamentally different from a substantive visa application.
Applicants have already established lawful status in Australia and have already lodged a substantive visa application.
The BVB functions primarily as a travel facility that allows temporary departure and return while that application remains under consideration.
Given its limited purpose, many applicants question whether a fee increase of more than 200% is proportionate to the administrative process involved.
8. The Increase Will Affect a Large Number of Long-Term Residents
Every year, thousands of people rely on bridging visas while awaiting migration outcomes.
These individuals include:
Skilled workers.
Healthcare professionals.
Teachers.
Engineers.
Tradespeople.
International graduates.
Partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Parents and family visa applicants.
Many have already spent years contributing to Australian society.
For families travelling together, the cumulative cost of BVB applications can become substantial and may amount to thousands of dollars over extended waiting periods.
9. The Increase May Undermine Confidence in Australia's Migration System
Australia's migration system has historically been respected for its fairness, transparency, and rule of law.
Policies that impose substantial additional costs on lawful residents awaiting visa outcomes may reduce confidence in the system among migrants, employers, educational institutions, and the broader community.
Maintaining reasonable and proportionate charges supports Australia's reputation as a destination that values fairness and recognises the contributions of those seeking to build their future here.
Our Request
We respectfully request that the Australian Government:
Reconsider and reverse the increase in the Bridging Visa B application charge.
Conduct a transparent review of the rationale for the increase from $190 to $575.
Consider reduced fees for applicants who have experienced extended visa processing periods.
Introduce concessions for compassionate travel circumstances, including family emergencies, serious illness, and bereavement.
Ensure future fee increases remain proportionate, evidence-based, and consistent with principles of fairness and good administration.
Conclusion
Bridging Visa B holders are already part of Australia's communities, workforce, and economy.
They live in Australia, work in Australia, study in Australia, pay taxes in Australia, and contribute to Australia's future while awaiting visa decisions.
The increase from $190 to $575 represents an extraordinary rise of more than 202% and places a significant additional burden on lawful residents who are already contributing to the nation.
We respectfully urge the Australian Government to reconsider this increase and adopt an approach that reflects proportionality, fairness, and recognition of the valuable contributions Bridging Visa B holders make to Australia every day.
Signed by concerned visa applicants, Australian residents, Australian citizens, employers, families, community members, and supporters of a fair and accessible migration system.
26
The issue
To the Prime Minister of Australia, the Minister for Home Affairs, Members of Parliament, and the Department of Home Affairs,
We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon the Australian Government to reconsider and reverse the increase in the Bridging Visa B (BVB) application charge from AUD $190 to AUD $575, effective from 1 July 2026.
This represents an increase of more than 202%, which is vastly higher than Australia's annual inflation rate and significantly exceeds the indexation applied to most government charges and visa categories.
The Bridging Visa B is a unique visa that enables lawful temporary residents who are awaiting the outcome of substantive visa applications to travel overseas and return to Australia. Unlike many other visa applicants, BVB holders are already living in Australia and are already contributing to Australian society.
We believe this increase is disproportionate and warrants immediate review for the following reasons.
Reasons for this Petition
1. Bridging Visa B Holders Are Already Living Lawfully in Australia
Bridging Visa B applicants are not prospective migrants seeking initial entry into Australia.
They are already residing lawfully in Australia while awaiting decisions on substantive visa applications, including skilled migration, employer-sponsored, partner, graduate, and other visa pathways.
Granting a BVB does not result in additional migration intake, population growth, or increased demand on public infrastructure because the applicant is already present in Australia.
The BVB merely allows temporary travel and lawful return during an ongoing visa process.
2. Australia Is Already Home for Many BVB Holders
For many applicants, Australia has become their primary home.
Their employment, businesses, education, partners, children, homes, and community networks are located in Australia.
Many have spent years building their lives here while awaiting visa outcomes.
When they travel overseas, they are not seeking entry into a new country; they are seeking to return to the place where they live, work, and contribute.
The increased charge therefore creates a significant financial barrier for people returning to what is already their home.
3. Applicants Are Contributing to Australia While Awaiting Decisions
Bridging Visa holders make substantial contributions to Australia through:
Employment in critical industries and workforce shortage areas.
Payment of income tax and GST.
Superannuation contributions.
Rental and mortgage payments.
Consumer spending that supports Australian businesses.
Community participation and volunteering.
Many bridging visa holders have contributed to the Australian economy for years while awaiting final visa decisions.
The increase imposes additional costs on individuals who are already supporting Australia's economic growth and workforce needs.
4. Applicants Should Not Bear the Consequences of Extended Processing Times
Many applicants remain on bridging visas for prolonged periods due to visa processing timeframes that are outside their control.
Some have waited several years for decisions on permanent residency, partner visas, employer-sponsored visas, and other substantive applications.
The need to apply for a Bridging Visa B often arises because the substantive visa application remains under assessment.
Applicants should not face significantly increased costs as a consequence of lengthy administrative processing periods over which they have no influence.
5. International Travel Is Often Necessary Rather Than Optional
Many BVB holders apply for travel rights because they need to:
Visit seriously ill family members.
Attend funerals.
Care for ageing parents.
Respond to family emergencies.
Maintain essential family relationships.
For many migrants, international travel is not a luxury but an important family responsibility.
The increased charge may discourage individuals from travelling during critical life events or create financial hardship during already difficult circumstances.
6. The Magnitude of the Increase Is Disproportionate
The increase from $190 to $575 represents a rise of more than 202%.
By comparison, Australia's annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) has generally increased by only a few percentage points per year. A fee increase exceeding 200% is many times higher than ordinary inflation and significantly exceeds the level of annual indexation commonly applied across government services.
Such a substantial increase warrants a clear public explanation demonstrating why the cost of administering a Bridging Visa B has increased to a level that justifies tripling the application charge.
7. The Administrative Nature of the BVB Does Not Justify Such a Large Increase
A Bridging Visa B is fundamentally different from a substantive visa application.
Applicants have already established lawful status in Australia and have already lodged a substantive visa application.
The BVB functions primarily as a travel facility that allows temporary departure and return while that application remains under consideration.
Given its limited purpose, many applicants question whether a fee increase of more than 200% is proportionate to the administrative process involved.
8. The Increase Will Affect a Large Number of Long-Term Residents
Every year, thousands of people rely on bridging visas while awaiting migration outcomes.
These individuals include:
Skilled workers.
Healthcare professionals.
Teachers.
Engineers.
Tradespeople.
International graduates.
Partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Parents and family visa applicants.
Many have already spent years contributing to Australian society.
For families travelling together, the cumulative cost of BVB applications can become substantial and may amount to thousands of dollars over extended waiting periods.
9. The Increase May Undermine Confidence in Australia's Migration System
Australia's migration system has historically been respected for its fairness, transparency, and rule of law.
Policies that impose substantial additional costs on lawful residents awaiting visa outcomes may reduce confidence in the system among migrants, employers, educational institutions, and the broader community.
Maintaining reasonable and proportionate charges supports Australia's reputation as a destination that values fairness and recognises the contributions of those seeking to build their future here.
Our Request
We respectfully request that the Australian Government:
Reconsider and reverse the increase in the Bridging Visa B application charge.
Conduct a transparent review of the rationale for the increase from $190 to $575.
Consider reduced fees for applicants who have experienced extended visa processing periods.
Introduce concessions for compassionate travel circumstances, including family emergencies, serious illness, and bereavement.
Ensure future fee increases remain proportionate, evidence-based, and consistent with principles of fairness and good administration.
Conclusion
Bridging Visa B holders are already part of Australia's communities, workforce, and economy.
They live in Australia, work in Australia, study in Australia, pay taxes in Australia, and contribute to Australia's future while awaiting visa decisions.
The increase from $190 to $575 represents an extraordinary rise of more than 202% and places a significant additional burden on lawful residents who are already contributing to the nation.
We respectfully urge the Australian Government to reconsider this increase and adopt an approach that reflects proportionality, fairness, and recognition of the valuable contributions Bridging Visa B holders make to Australia every day.
Signed by concerned visa applicants, Australian residents, Australian citizens, employers, families, community members, and supporters of a fair and accessible migration system.
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Petition created on 2 July 2026