I arrived lawfully in Australia and then sought Australia's protection by applying for a protection visa. What happens now?
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Answer by Lisa Wulfsohn, Malvern 3144 VIC
- If you have arrived in Australia legally and then apply for protection you may receive a bridging visa when you lodge your protection visa application.
- This allows you to remain in the community until your visa application is finalised.
- Some bridging visas allow you to work in Australia.
- You will be invited to attend an interview with an officer from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
- In this interview you will be asked questions about your claims for protection.
- There is no specific timeframe for when this interview will occur.
- You must bring your passport or other identification documents as well as any requested documents to the interview.
- If you need an interpreter the Department of Immigration and Border Protection can provide you with one. You must request this before the interview.