The Migration Amendment (Bridging Visas) Regulations 2024 amend the Migration Regulations 1994 to clarify the circumstances in which the Minister may grant a Bridging R (Class WR) visa (BVR) to the cohort affected by the High Court judgment in NZYQ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
[2023] HCA 37.
The instrument amends regulation 2.04 to clarify that, while the circumstances in which a visa may be granted are generally set out in Schedule 2 to the Regulations, this is subject to other provisions of the Regulations that may deal with the circumstances applicable to grant (such as sub regulation 2.25AB(2).
The instrument amends regulation 2.25AB to remove the requirement to hold a BVR to be eligible for grant of a further BVR under this regulation, and replaces this with a requirement for the Minister to be satisfied that the non‑citizen does not hold a substantive visa, a criminal justice visa or an enforcement visa to be eligible for grant of a BVR under this regulation. The effect of this amendment is to make regulation 2.25AB available to grant either an initial or subsequent BVR to an NZYQ-affected non-citizen, so long as they are not the holder of a substantive visa, criminal justice visa or an enforcement visa.
Bridging Visa R – Removal Pending (RPBV)
Enables the release, pending removal, of people in immigration detention who have been cooperating with efforts to remove them from Australia, but whose removal is not reasonably practicable at that time. This visa can only be applied for on written invitation of the Minister. Applicants must pass the character test and be assessed by ASIO as not being a risk to security.
Bridging Visa R
Genuine Student (GS)
Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)
NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Apply directly to NSW
Upcoming Immigration Changes 2024