Bridging Visas in Australia: A Practical Guide to Staying Lawful
By Nilesh Nandan — Australian immigration lawyer.
Edited by Anh Le, Immigration Lawyer
When I meet people who are confused about bridging visas, the story is familiar. A visa has expired, been refused, or been cancelled. Or a new application is in the system and the wait is stressful. The real question is whether you remain lawful in Australia and what happens next.
Bridging visas look simple at first glance. In practice they are full of traps. My aim in this guide is to explain bridging visas in plain English and to highlight the risks so you can avoid costly mistakes.
On this page
- What is a bridging visa
- Why bridging visas matter
- Types of bridging visas (A, B, C, E)
- Common traps and risks
- Frequently asked questions
- Practical checklist
- Related MyVisa resources
- Book a consultation
What is a Bridging Visa?
A bridging visa is a temporary visa that keeps you lawful in Australia while you wait for another visa application or review decision to be finalised. Think of it as a safety net. It does not replace your main visa. It simply holds your lawful status during the wait.
Conditions on a bridging visa depend on your circumstances, your visa history, and the bridging visa subclass you hold. Work and travel settings are not the same for everyone, so never assume your rights are identical to your previous visa.
Why Bridging Visas Matter
Becoming unlawful can have serious consequences, including detention, removal, and re-entry issues. It can also complicate future applications. Staying on the right bridging visa, knowing when it starts, and following its conditions are critical.
Key things you must know:
- Which bridging visa applies to you and why.
- When it actually comes into effect.
- What conditions apply, especially work and travel.
- How to avoid accidental breaches.
Types of Bridging Visas (Comparison)
Here is a quick comparison of the main bridging visa subclasses in Australia:
| Visa Subclass | Usual Pathway | Work Rights | Travel Rights | Risk / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVA (Subclass 010) | Granted when you apply for a new substantive visa while holding another substantive visa. | May reflect prior visa’s work settings. Check grant notice. | No travel facility. Leaving usually causes BVA to cease. | Safe option if you don’t need to travel. |
| BVB (Subclass 020) | The only bridging visa that permits travel and re-entry. | Usually mirrors work rights of prior visa, but confirm on grant. | Travel permitted only within the approved travel period. | If you don’t return within the set travel period, the visa ceases. |
| BVC (Subclass 030) | For people applying for a visa while already on a bridging visa, or after a substantive visa has expired. | May be restricted. Can apply for work rights based on financial hardship. | No travel facility. | Risky if you need to leave Australia. |
| BVE (Subclass 050/051) | For people who are unlawful, or seeking review/ministerial intervention after refusal or cancellation. | Not automatic. Must apply for work rights (if eligible). | No travel facility. | Often strict conditions, such as reporting. High risk if breached. |
Common Traps and Risks
- Assuming your bridging visa starts straight away — many only start when your current substantive visa ends.
- Travelling without a BVB — if you are on a BVA or BVC and you travel, your bridging visa will usually cease.
- Misreading work rights — always read your grant notice carefully.
- Missing reporting or special conditions — some visas, especially BVE, require regular reporting.
- Applying for the wrong bridging visa or not holding one at all — this can make you unlawful without realising it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I automatically get a bridging visa when I lodge a new visa application?
Not always. It depends on the timing and the application type. Some pathways generate a bridging grant automatically. Others require a separate application. Always check your lodgement record and email notices.
Can I work on a bridging visa?
It depends. Some bridging visas mirror earlier work settings. Others restrict work and require you to apply for permission, usually based on financial hardship. Read your grant letter and conditions.
Can I travel while on a bridging visa?
Only a BVB permits travel and re-entry, and only within the travel period printed on the grant notice. Leaving without a BVB can cause your bridging visa to cease and can undermine your main application.
What happens if my substantive visa is refused while I am on a bridging visa?
Your bridging visa may continue for a limited time, but you need to act fast. If eligible, a review application can keep you lawful during the review process. The exact outcome depends on your facts.
What if I become unlawful?
You may be able to apply for a BVE to regain lawful status. Once unlawful, options narrow and risk increases. Seek advice quickly so we can stabilise your position.
Practical Checklist
- Do I know which bridging visa subclass I hold and why I hold it?
- Do I know when it actually comes into effect?
- Have I confirmed my work and travel settings on the grant notice?
- Do I need to apply for a BVB before leaving Australia?
- Do I have reporting or other special conditions to follow?
- If my main visa was refused or cancelled, have I mapped my time limits to respond or review?
Related MyVisa Resources
Book a Consultation
If you are on a bridging visa, or think you may need one, do not leave it to chance. A short consultation can prevent long-term issues. Book a consultation with me today and get clarity on your next steps.
Regards,
Nilesh Nandan
Lawyer Principal | MyVisa Lawyers
https://myvisa.com.au
704 Responses
Hi Nilesh,
I have finished my degree last year ( November 2020) and had a student visa till Feb 2021. I applied for a 485 visa in Feb and currently, I am on a bridging visa. Is it possible to withdraw my application and apply for a student visa (subclass 500) again? If so what would be the process.
Hi Jasdeep
I will simply stay patient and wait for the decision in relation to the 485 visa.
This is because when you lodge a fresh application whilst the holder of a bridging visa A class, you will be subjected to additional schedule 3 criteria and this may result in a refusal of the student visa you propose to apply for.
If you do withdraw your present application you should be aware that your bridging visa a class granted in association with that 485 visa application will cease after 35 days of the withdrawal being processed by the department of home affairs.
Additionally you should know that if you do lodge an application for a student visa whilst holding a bridging visa a class then you will be granted a Bridging Visa C class in association with that you visa application.
Note that a bridging C class does not have any exit and return facility.
I hope that helps full stop if you require further information or assistance then please book in a chat with me.
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Hi Nilesh,
My partner and I are currently on 482 visas (TSS – Short Term Stream). We’ve already renewed these once onshore, and have been advised that it might be possible to renew once more offshore. My question is: If we leave Australia before our current visas expire and apply for renewed 482 visas, will a Bridging visa be granted to cover the period from current visa expiry until a decision is reached on the new application? I was under the impression that a Bridging visa could only be granted while the applicant is onshore.
John
Yes unfortunately if you make an application when you are physically outside of Australia at the time, Then you will not be great if any bridging visa at all.
This means you’ll need to remain overseas until such time as the decision is made in relation to the application allowing you a 482 visa to enter Australia.
Subject to covid travel restrictions you might be able to enter Australia on an electronic travel authority depending on your passport country.
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Hi there, I have submitted in july 2021 an application for a partner visa 820. I have just been granted a bridging visa B allowing me to return to Canada from 1 November 2021 until it ends on 15 November 2022. I will re enter australia before the bvb expiry date. Can you please tell me, if I am outside of Australia when my partner visa is approved, is this an issue? Is my partner visa application at risk?
Alex
This is a great question.
Regulation 820.411 of schedule 2 of the Migration Act states that the applicant must be in Australia when the visa is granted.
What is likely to happen is that the case officer will contact you and advise you the day looking to Grant the 820 Visa application however they know that you are offside and typically they will wait until you are back on sure until such time as they grant the application – but this is subject to any concessions that apply in relation to granting a visa that is ordinarily one where the applicant must be inside Australia because of covid considerations.
I would not stress too much about it because I cannot see a situation where a case officer will refuse the visa because you are caught offshore.
I love the fact that you have secured a bridging visa B for a 12-month period allowing you quite a lot of breathing space.
Thank you again for your question Alex.
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Hi Nilesh,
My spouse applied for a partner visa (820) and paid the fee yesterday. Her minor son was also in the application. We received the Bridging visa for her son today, but not for her.
We checked in the bridging visa section in the immi account also and find the bridging visa for his son only.
We thought that it will come for both. Please advise us what to do?
Regards,
Manish
Hello Nilesh,
I am on a current student visa which is valid till 29th August 2021. Due to delays with my course I wasn’t expecting to finish the degree before this time, so I applied for a new student visa 2 weeks ago and I was issued a bridging visa A.
Now as it turns out, I have completed the course on time and hence, will not need the new student visa. I have applied for my 485 visa now as I have met all the requirements and been issued a bridging visa A for that as well. I have also uploaded form 1446 to withdraw the earlier student visa application.
My question is, at the expiry of my current visa on 29th August, which of the two bridging visas will be active?
Thank you,
Advait
I have bridging visa c my partner Newzealand citizen can I apply 461 subclass visa
Hi Nilesh,
Currently, I am on Bridging visa B and waiting for my visa 485 grant. I would like to go overseas for the period of 3 months but since travel restrictions in Australia are in place, I was thinking to apply for bridging visa B for the period from October 2021 to March 2022. So my question is:
1. will immigration provide Bridging visa B for 6months?
2. My main visa application processing time is 9months, which will be granted on November 2021, so at that time, if I am overseas on bridging visa B, does that affect my main visa application decision? will they cancel the main visa application?
Looking forward for your advice
Thank you