What is a bridging visa and when does it start?

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that keeps you lawful in Australia while a substantive visa application is decided. A Bridging Visa A is usually granted automatically when you lodge onshore while still holding a substantive visa, but it stays dormant and only comes into effect when your current visa ceases. It gives no permanent rights and does not guarantee your application will succeed.

Can I work on a bridging visa?

It depends on the type and its conditions. A Bridging Visa A generally carries the same work rights as the visa you held when you applied. A Bridging Visa C or E is usually granted without work rights, though you can apply for work rights on the basis of financial hardship. Always check your specific conditions before you work — breaching them can seriously damage your application.

Can I travel overseas on a bridging visa?

Only on a Bridging Visa B. A Bridging Visa A ceases if you leave Australia, and you cannot return on it. If you need to travel while your application is pending, you must apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B before you depart, and return within the travel period specified.

What is the difference between Bridging Visa A, C and E?

A Bridging Visa A is granted when you apply onshore while holding a substantive visa. A Bridging Visa C is granted when you apply onshore without holding a substantive visa. A Bridging Visa E is granted to people who are unlawful or resolving their status, often after a refusal or cancellation. Work and travel rights differ across each.

What happens to my bridging visa if my application is refused?

A bridging visa usually remains in effect for a short further period (commonly 35 days) so you can depart or seek review at the Administrative Review Tribunal. A refusal also triggers the section 48 bar, which limits new onshore applications, so it is important to get advice quickly about review and your remaining options.

How do I get work rights on a Bridging Visa E?

You can apply for work rights on a Bridging Visa E (or C) by demonstrating that you are in financial hardship. The application must be supported by evidence of your circumstances. Until work rights are granted, working would breach your conditions, so do not start work in anticipation of approval.

Bridging Visas Australia: Types, Work Rights & Travel

Navigating the Australian visa system can feel like a complex journey, and one of the most crucial yet often misunderstood elements is the Bridging Visa. As an immigration lawyer with 32 years of legal experience, I've seen how essential a bridging visa is to maintaining your lawful status in Australia while you await a decision on a substantive visa application. This guide is designed to demystify Bridging Visas, helping you understand what they are, which one might apply to you, and what you can and can’t do while holding one.

What is a Bridging Visa?

A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that allows you to remain lawfully in Australia in specific circumstances. The most common scenario is when you are in Australia, have applied for a new substantive visa (like a partner, skilled, or student visa), and your current substantive visa is about to expire. The bridging visa “bridges” the gap, ensuring you don’t become an unlawful non-citizen while you wait for the Department of Home Affairs to process your application.

It’s important to understand that a bridging visa is not a substantive visa. It doesn’t provide you with any permanent residency rights, nor does it guarantee that your substantive visa application will be approved. Its sole purpose is to keep you lawful during a transitional period.

When is a Bridging Visa Granted?

A bridging visa is typically granted automatically when you lodge a valid application for a substantive visa while you are in Australia. However, the bridging visa will only become active once your current substantive visa expires. For example, if your current visa is valid until 1 August 2026 and you apply for a new visa in June 2026, the Bridging Visa A (BVA) that is granted to you will remain dormant until your current visa ceases on 1 August 2026.

The Alphabet of Bridging Visas: A Detailed Breakdown

There are several different types of bridging visas, each with its own specific purpose and conditions. Understanding the differences between them is crucial.

Bridging Visa A (BVA) - Subclass 010

The BVA is the most common type of bridging visa. It is granted when you apply for a substantive visa in Australia while you still hold a valid substantive visa. The BVA allows you to remain in Australia lawfully while your application is being processed.

Work Rights: The work rights on your BVA will generally be the same as the visa you held when you applied for the new visa. For example, if you held a student visa with limited work rights, your BVA will have the same limitations. If your previous visa had no work restrictions, your BVA will also allow you to work without any limitations.
Travel: A BVA does not allow you to travel outside of Australia and return. If you leave Australia on a BVA, it will cease, and you will not be able to re-enter the country on that visa.

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