Waiting for a visa decision in Australia can be stressful and uncertain. You may be wondering whether you can continue working, travel overseas, or simply remain in Australia lawfully while your immigration matter is being processed.

This is where bridging visas become important.

A bridging visa allows certain non-citizens to remain lawfully in Australia while their immigration status is resolved. Depending on your circumstances, a bridging visa may also provide work rights and, in limited cases, permission to travel.

Understanding your bridging visa conditions is essential to maintaining lawful status and avoiding unnecessary complications with your immigration matters.

Key Takeaways

• Bridging visas allow eligible non-citizens to remain lawfully in Australia while waiting for a visa application, merits review, judicial review, or other immigration matter to be finalised.

• Different bridging visas carry different conditions relating to work rights, travel rights, and duration.

• Most Bridging Visa A (BVA) and Bridging Visa C (BVC) holders cannot travel outside Australia and return on the same visa.

• Bridging Visa B (BVB) allows temporary overseas travel during an approved travel period.

• Work rights depend on your individual circumstances and visa conditions.

• You should always check your visa conditions through Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

• If your circumstances change, you should notify the Department of Home Affairs promptly.

What is a Bridging Visa?

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that enables certain non-citizens to remain lawfully in Australia while:

• Waiting for a decision on another visa application;

• Seeking merits review through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART);

• Seeking judicial review of an immigration decision;

• Making arrangements to depart Australia; or

• Resolving their immigration status.

A bridging visa is generally not intended as a pathway to permanent residence. Rather, it acts as a temporary mechanism to maintain lawful status while immigration matters are being finalised.

Types of Bridging Visas

Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010)

The Bridging Visa A (BVA) is generally granted to individuals who apply for another substantive visa while holding a valid visa in Australia.

A BVA usually:

• Allows you to remain lawfully in Australia

• May provide work rights depending on your circumstances

• Remains in effect while your substantive visa application is being processed

• Does not permit overseas travel and return

If you leave Australia while holding only a BVA, the visa generally ceases to be valid, and you may not be able to return on it.

Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020)

A Bridging Visa B (BVB) allows eligible applicants to:

• Remain lawfully in Australia

• Travel outside Australia and return during an approved travel period

• Potentially continue work rights that existed on the previous bridging visa

A BVB is often used where applicants need to travel overseas while awaiting a decision on another visa application.

Travel rights are limited to the specific period granted on the BVB.

Bridging Visa C (Subclass 030)

The Bridging Visa C (BVC) generally applies to individuals who:

• Apply for a substantive visa after becoming unlawful; or

• Apply while not holding a substantive visa.

A BVC:

• Allows lawful stay in Australia

• May provide work rights in certain circumstances

• Generally does not permit international travel

Bridging Visa E (Subclass 050 and 051)

A Bridging Visa E (BVE) may apply to individuals who:

• Have become unlawful non-citizens;

• Are making arrangements to depart Australia;

• Are pursuing immigration review processes; or

• Need to regularise their immigration status.

A BVE often carries strict reporting obligations and may include conditions such as:

• Reporting requirements;

• Residence requirements;

• Work limitations; and

• Notification obligations.

Duration of Bridging Visas

The duration of a bridging visa depends on the type of bridging visa and your individual circumstances.

Generally, a bridging visa remains in effect until one of the following occurs:

• Your substantive visa application is decided;

• A review process is finalised;

• Another visa is granted;

• You depart Australia; or

• The bridging visa is cancelled.

For example:

Bridging Visa A

A BVA generally remains in effect until:

• A decision is made on your substantive visa application; or

• Review rights are exhausted, and any applicable period to depart Australia has expired.

Bridging Visa B

A BVB remains in effect until:

• A decision is made on the substantive visa application; and

• The approved travel period expires.

Bridging Visa E

A BVE remains in effect for the period specified by the Department and may end when your immigration matter is resolved or when you depart Australia.

Work Rights and Employment Conditions

Work rights vary considerably between bridging visas.

Some bridging visa holders have unrestricted work rights, while others may have conditions that prohibit employment.

Common conditions include:

Condition 8101

No work permitted.

Condition 8105

Work limitations that may restrict employment.

Condition 8547

Restrictions on working for more than six months with one employer in certain circumstances.

If you experience financial hardship, you may be able to apply for permission to work on certain bridging visas.

It is essential to understand your individual visa conditions before commencing employment.

Always verify your work rights through:

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

Travel Permissions and Restrictions

Bridging Visa A and Bridging Visa C

Generally, holders of a BVA or BVC cannot travel overseas and return on the same visa.

If you leave Australia, your bridging visa may cease.

Bridging Visa B

A BVB permits temporary overseas travel during the approved travel period.

Before travelling overseas, ensure that:

• Your BVB has been granted;

• The travel period covers your intended trip; and

• You return before the travel period expires.

Failure to return within the authorised period may create significant immigration complications.

Applying for a Bridging Visa

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on the type of bridging visa and your circumstances.

You may be eligible if you:

• Hold a substantive visa and lodge another visa application;

• Have become unlawful and need to regularise your status;

• Are seeking merits review through the Administrative Review Tribunal;

• Are pursuing judicial review; or

• Require temporary lawful status while your immigration matter is resolved.

Application Process

The process generally involves:

Step 1

Determine which bridging visa applies to your circumstances.

Step 2

Prepare supporting documents.

These may include:

• Passport;

• Current visa information;

• Evidence of visa applications;

• Evidence of financial hardship (where applicable);

• Supporting statements and documents.

Step 3

Lodge your application.

Some bridging visas may be granted automatically when lodging another substantive visa application.

Others require a separate application.

Step 4

Await the Department’s decision.

Visa Application Charges

Government charges may vary depending on the type of bridging visa and whether a separate application is required.

Generally:

Additional costs may include:

• Document translation fees;

• Legal or migration advice fees;

• Medical assessments (if required); and

• Police clearances (if required).

Government charges are subject to change and should always be confirmed before lodging an application.

Reporting Changes to Immigration

You should promptly notify the Department of Home Affairs if there are changes to your:

• Residential address;

• Passport details;

• Relationship status;

• Contact information; or

• Other circumstances that may affect your visa status.

Failure to keep your information up to date may result in missed correspondence and potential immigration complications.

Visa Refusals and Review Rights

If your substantive visa application is refused, you may have the right to seek merits review through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).

In some circumstances:

• Your bridging visa may continue while review proceedings are underway;

• You may be granted another bridging visa, or

• You may become unlawful if no further visa is granted.

Every situation is different and should be assessed individually.

Strict time limits apply to review applications, and delays may affect your immigration options.

How Can CJMigration Assist?

Bridging visas can be complex, particularly when applications are refused, review rights arise, or visa conditions affect your ability to work or travel.

CJMigration can assist by:

• Assessing your immigration status and lawful stay options

• Advising on the appropriate bridging visa pathway

• Assisting with applications for Bridging Visa B and permission to work applications

• Reviewing visa conditions and work rights

• Advising on travel implications and re-entry arrangements

• Assisting with Administrative Review Tribunal applications

• Advising on unlawful status and strategies to regularise your immigration position

• Providing representation and strategic advice throughout the immigration process

Our team understands that the uncertainty surrounding bridging visas can be overwhelming. We work closely with our clients to provide practical advice and tailored solutions that protect their lawful status and future migration opportunities.

Need Professional Advice?

Bridging visas play a vital role in maintaining lawful status in Australia while visa applications, reviews, or other immigration matters are being resolved.

Understanding your visa conditions, work rights, and travel limitations can help you avoid unnecessary complications and make informed decisions about your future.

Obtaining professional migration advice early can help you understand your options, protect your lawful status, and navigate Australia’s immigration system with confidence.