Bridging Visa Australia
A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia after your “current” substantive visa ceases and while your “new substantive” visa application is processed.
It “bridges” your stay in Australia from the cease date of your current visa usually until 35 days after a final decision is made on your application.
How to apply for a bridging visa?
Most of the time you don’t need to make a formal application for a bridging visa. This is because it is granted to you by operation of law.
Is the application necessary?
A formal bridging visa application is usually not needed if you apply for a further visa while you are in Australia and you already hold a substantive visa at the time of making your further visa application.
Automatic grant
The reason why a formal visa application for a bridging visa might not be required is that by operation of law, the valid application for a further visa in Australia is typically (but not always) deemed to be an application for a bridging visa as well. The Department usually always grants that application, either manually or automatically.
Purpose
The purpose of a bridging visa is to bridge the gap, if any, between the time at which your current substantive visa expires and the point in time when the Department grants your new substantive visa.
The bridging visa is a mechanism for keeping you lawfully present in Australia.
Otherwise…
If a bridging visa were not to be granted, then it would mean that you would be an unlawful non-citizen, present in Australia for that period between when your substantive visa expires and your further visa is decided.
Types of bridging visas
The three most common types of bridging visas are a, b, and e.
Which do you have?
The most important thing to check is that you always have a visa whilst you are in Australia (if you’re not the holder of an Australian passport).
You can check the visa that you hold at any time by completing a VEVO check. It’s online and free.
Know this…
BVB limitation
Be careful with a bridging visa b (BVB). Its purpose is to allow you to leave and return to Australia whilst you wait for the grant of a further substantive; you may exit Australia for a very finite travel period and must re-enter Australia by a specified date.
BVB disaster
The biggest risk with a BVB is that you forget the period of your BVB grant, and you then fail to re-enter Australia before the date specified. Take very careful note to start returning to Australia several days before your BVB expires, so that you have ample time to re-enter Australia when you return.
Bridging visa after re-entry
When you re-enter Australia your bridging visa b does not change back to a BVA but will show as a BVB, allowing you to continue to stay in Australia but importantly does not then have any exit and return facility.
Second BVB
You will need to take care to lodge a further BVB if you wish to again exit Australia during the period in which you are waiting for the grant of your further substantive visa.
If you hold a BVA or a BVB you can apply for a further BVB.
Only one chance!
Unfortunately, if you hold a BVC, a BVD, or a BVE then you can’t apply for a BVB. It’s like losing your virginity.
Think of it this way – if you hold a BVC or BVD or BVE, you can never go back to get a BVB. At least until after your further substantive visa application has been granted.
As explained above, bridging visas “bridge” you from the time an existing visa ceases to be “in effect” until the time a decision is made on any new visa you may have applied for.
Bridging visa lifespan after a decision on substantive application
Usually, the bridging visa will run for a period of up to 28 days (and possibly 35 days, depending on when you lodge your application and when your bridging visa is granted) after the decision of the Department to refuse your visa application, allowing you or your migration agent or immigration lawyer enough time to file an appeal.
Bridging visa to travel overseas
The Department of Home Affairs can issue you with a bridging visa if you intend to exit Australia. This is known as a “bridging visa on departure grounds”. These visas are for a fixed period.
Extension of BVE
There may be some scope to have these extended if, for some reason, you can’t depart. This is subject to negotiation between you and the compliance officer at the Department of Home Affairs.
For example, you might be without a visa and need a week or so to get things in order before you can exit Australia.
Immigration will often grant you this type of visa for a fixed term which will allow you time to exit the country or lodge another application.
Depart on BVE – consequences
There are serious consequences that follow after you exit Australia on a BVE. This is known as “special return criteria” where you may suffer a period of exclusion from Australia or a ban from a further visa grant for Australia.
BVE ban duration
The duration of this ban will depend on the sort of visa you are applying for and your circumstances. This is something that I advise on regularly and you should get independent immigration legal advice if you wish to make an application for Australia after exiting on a BVE.
Bridging visa “in effect”
Although your bridging visa may be granted (and you may have received a letter from Immigration saying that you have been granted this visa) take care. This visa usually only comes “into effect” when your existing visa expires and remains in place while the Department considers your new visa application. For example, suppose you are a holder of a subclass 600 Visitor visa. And you apply for a subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa while onshore.
Check your precise visa status regularly on the Department’s site.
When your bridging visa kicks in
You will not automatically become the holder of a bridging visa as soon as you make that 482 visa application. You will still be on your subclass 600 until it expires. Your bridging visa will usually kick in, if at all, immediately upon the expiry of your subclass 600 Visitor visa.
Bridging visa might never activate
The Department may grant your 482 visa application while your subclass 600 visa is still in effect. This means your bridging visa in association with your subclass 482 visa application will be extinguished and never come into effect.
Bridging visa not automatically granted
Don’t stress. Be vigilant with your follow-up as to why it could be that the Department didn’t consider your application valid.
Consider making a separate application for a bridging visa if your recent substantive visa application was valid but the Department hasn’t yet granted your bridging visa – this usually wakes up case officers!
Practice tip!
Stay onshore (inside Australia) if your bridging visa is not yet in effect.
Exiting Australia will usually extinguish this visa and you may well find yourself stuck offshore. This can be tricky and I would recommend you get advice if you plan to exit from Australia. Book a call with me!
Your experience?
Please share your comments with me.
I’d love to know more about your experience with applying for this visa subclass!
705 Responses
I currently hold a Bridging Visa B (BVB), which is set to expire in July 2025.
Do I need to reapply for a new Bridging Visa A (BVA) after my BVB expires, or can I continue using my previous BVA since it does not specify a “Must not arrive after” date?
Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Marc
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind:
1. If you’ve returned to Australia while your Bridging Visa B (BVB) was still valid, then what ends in July 2025 is the travel facility, not the bridging visa itself. You will continue to hold the BVB after that date. It simply no longer permits re-entry unless you apply for another BVB.
2. Once your BVB was granted, your previous Bridging Visa A (BVA) was extinguished. You no longer hold a BVA, so there’s no need to go back to it after your BVB expires.
3. If you are planning to leave Australia again before a decision is made on your main visa application, and you hold a BVB (albeit with an expired return facility), you’ll need to apply for another BVB to secure permission to return and have a fresh return facility.
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances
Please seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You can read more about Bridging Visa help at https://myvisa.com.au/bridging-visas/, or explore Visa services at https://myvisa.com.au/services/ and Travel while waiting for a visa at https://myvisa.com.au/visitor-visas/.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.
I am on a 482 visa. I filed a 866 visa application and was issue a Bridging visa, which is not in effect. The problem is, I was dismissed and now have 180 days to find a new sponsor, if not my 482 will be cancelled. Will my Bridging visa become active if my 482 is cancelled, seeing that I am still waiting for the 866 outcome, or will my Bridging visa also be cancelled? How will I be able to remain in AU whilst waiting for my 866 outcome?
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind.
First, although you’ve lodged a Protection (subclass 866) visa and been granted a Bridging visa, that Bridging visa is not in effect while your 482 visa remains active. If your 482 visa is cancelled, the Bridging visa granted in connection with your 866 application will also usually be cancelled automatically. This often comes as a surprise to applicants. ⚠️
Second, if your Bridging visa is cancelled after the 482 ends, you will need to apply for a Bridging Visa E (BVE) to remain lawfully in Australia while your 866 application is being processed. This step must be done promptly to avoid becoming unlawful. ⏳
Third, if a Bridging Visa E is granted, be aware that it comes without travel rights and no work rights by default. You can make a separate application to request permission to work, but this is not automatic and will depend on your individual circumstances. 🧾
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You might also like to read about
https://myvisa.com.au/bridging-visa/ – Bridging visa help
https://myvisa.com.au/protection-visa/ – Protection visa support
https://myvisa.com.au/visa-refusal/ – Visa refusal advice
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
Disclaimer: In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. See Notes and Disclosures at the footer of my work emails.
Hi my name is Alex. I applied for partner visa 820 as my husband is Australian so now I have bridging visa B for one year multiple entries no conditions, but it will expire on 18 June 2025. I am in not easy situation now so your comment will really help me, I am pregnant with our second child and really want go to Russia to have a baby and have my mom help with my other child. I am going to Russia now in march 2025 for 3 month, my due day in May 2025 so it might be a reasons with registering baby or some medical issues might make my staying longer than my bridging visa B allows me( June 2025)
To be honest I don’t have time even to apply for new Bridging visa B because as more pregnant it will be more difficult to fly on a plane.
I hope I ll have time to come back to Australia on time but What can happend with my case if I ll be overseas after 18 of June 2025 (date when my current BVB ll expire) ? And what is your advice ?
Thank you
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind 🤰✈️
1. If you are still outside Australia when your Bridging Visa B (BVB) expires on 18 June 2025, you won’t be able to return using that visa. A BVB cannot be renewed or extended once you are overseas.
2. Unfortunately, once the BVB expires, you can’t apply for another bridging visa from outside Australia. This means you’ll be stuck overseas unless the visa you’ve applied for (your 820) is granted while you’re away – which is very unlikely if you’re not in the country.
3. If you’re unsure how long you’ll need to stay in Russia, the safest plan is to apply for a new BVB now, with a longer travel period. You don’t need to wait until closer to your travel date, and your current pregnancy is a strong reason to support your request for extended travel.
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You might find these links helpful:
Bridging visa help
Partner visa options
Visa refusal advice
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
Disclaimer: In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. See Notes and Disclosures at the footer of my work emails.
My husband got a 407 training visa refusal. The reason was that he has significant experience in the occupation but he had only been working in this ocupation for 1 year. We are onshore on Bridging visa A and are considering appealing. With the reason for the rejection and Section48, can he travel outside and apply for a 482 sponsor visa? Is safe to do so? Thanks
Hi Anna
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind.
1. It sounds like the refusal might have been based on a mismatch between the proposed training and your husband’s actual experience. This is a common issue in 407 visa assessments, where the training plan must genuinely reflect skills development—not simply work experience.
2. You’re correct to be mindful of section 48. If your husband is currently on a Bridging Visa A and has had a refusal, section 48 might prevent him from lodging a further substantive visa onshore unless it’s an exception-listed visa. Unfortunately, the 482 visa is not one of those exceptions.
3. Leaving Australia to lodge an offshore 482 application, then returning to Australia on a bridging visa while the Tribunal appeal is pending, can be a sound strategy. The key is to have the 482 visa granted before the Tribunal finalises the appeal. If the Tribunal decision comes first and results in dismissal, your husband may be left without any lawful basis to stay—so the timing is critical to avoid unnecessary costs and risks.
4. One more thing: you must be very careful that nothing in the 482 application contradicts the earlier 407 application. Inconsistencies could raise Public Interest Criterion 4020 issues (misleading or false information) or lead to refusal based on concerns that the new application isn’t genuine. Make sure all supporting documents and statements align clearly with your husband’s true experience and intentions.
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You might find these pages helpful:
👉 Bridging Visa help
👉 Partner visa options
👉 Visa refusal advice
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
Disclaimer: In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. See Notes and Disclosures at the footer of my work emails.
Hi, I need some advice
My student visa ends on the 5th march, I have applied for 190visa and have been automatically given my BVA.
I have an overseas holiday booked for the 1st march, and intended to apply for a BVB
Am I able to travel out of Aus on my student visa and return on a BVB if it’s granted whilst onshore?
What then happens with my BVA as I would be offshore when it becomes active?
Thanks in advance
Carly
Hi Carly! 😊
Great question! Since your student visa expires on March 5, your Bridging Visa A (BVA) will come into effect automatically. However, because a BVA does not allow travel, you’ll need to apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia on March 1. ✅
To answer your main concern:
Also, if your 190 visa is granted while you’re overseas, it will override any bridging visa, and you’ll simply return on your 190 visa—no issues there! 🎉
If you’re unsure about any of this or want to double-check your timeline, it might be worth booking in a quick chat to make sure everything is in order. It could be the best $97 you’ve spent for peace of mind! 😊
Regards Nilesh Nandan Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory http://myvisa.com.au/
*In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.