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!
676 Responses
Hi, I hold a 3 year multi entry 600 visitor visa that expires 23 Jan 2023. Each stay has a max length of 3 months. I last entered Australia 22 March 2022. I’m currently onshore.
I have recently applied for. A 804 and have just been informed that I have been granted a Bridging visa A.
What confuses me is that it says the bridging visa is not in effect until my visitier visa expires. Question: does my visitor visa expire 90 days from my last entry or does it expire in 2023? Ie when will the bridging visa come into effect and do I need to do anything?
Dear X
Your current Visa allows you to stay for a period of 90 days after which time your lawful period of stay will end. Your Visa does not expire until 2023. However you should note that only 90 days of stay is permitted after every entry into Australia.
If you do nothing, the bridging Visa that you have been granted will come into affect on midnight of the 90th day. You can then stay until such time as your substantive Visa application is decided.
The confusing thing is that if you exit on a Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) then the Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) Will extinguish unless you have made a priority application and have been granted a Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) prior to exiting.
Another complication is that if you exit without any Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) and you were to later enter into Australia before 2023 then you’ll need to apply for the Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) in association with your subclass 804 Visa to be re-instated.
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
*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.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hi Nilesh,
Thank you for such helpful information on your page. I had one question and hoping you could help me out. I am currently on my BVB and outside Australia. I have already applied for my 485 visa. It looks like I will not be able to return back to Australia within the time frame of my BVB because of some important family commitments. I just want to know what are my options here? I have looked into it and found that I might have to apply for visitor visa and enter Australia and then apply for my BVA again. If this is the only option, what are risks here? and is this a common course of action that people take who are in the same situation as me? I would also like to know if there are any other options. I really appreciate your time and Thank you for your help and guidance.
Hi Saket
1. Return now anyway and get a fresh BVB to exit second time or wait in Oz until the 485 is granted.
2. Stay in India and apply for a visitor Visa to re-enter and when back in Oz, seek to have your Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) originally granted an association with the reinstated.
Don’t get confused with concessions which are available to actual holders of Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa who are stuck offshore. You are not in this circumstance as you are yet to have any 485 granted in the first instance.
*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.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Hi Nilesh,
After applying for 887 VISA I didn’t receive bridging VISA-A (Which all the other applicants received automatically as soon as the 887 application was lodged).
In the Immi account, it says bridging VISAs are granted for all the applicants. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive an e-mail notification or cannot access the bridging VISAs from the immi account.
Called to immi support No. & they’ve no clue what has happened. They recommend me to apply for a bridging VISA-A later this year if I didn’t receive it as my current 489 VISA expires on January 2023.
I sent an e-mail inquiry also, still waiting for a response.
What you recommend me to do to get this bridging VISA-A.
Thank you.
Sanjaya.
Hi Sanjaya
Firstly you must be absolutely sure that you have made a valid application for your Subclass 887 Skilled Regional Visa. You will need to scrutinise the application and the response you received from the department at the time of application to determine whether you have met valid application requirements for the Subclass 887 Skilled Regional Visa.
I would contact the Department after a reasonable period has expired. You could also make a formal application for a bridging A and they will either contact you at that time asking you to withdraw the application or they will refuse it and give some reasons which may also give you clues in relation to what happened in these very weird circumstances.
*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.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Hi Nilesh,
Thank you very much for your reply.
Kind regards,
Sanjaya.
Hi Nilesh,
Greetings for the day!
I applied for bridging visa b (I am currently on Bridging Visa A) on 16th of April and my intended date of travel is 10th of May, however I haven’t received any correspondence from the department. I am not sure if I would even get the grant. Luckily I didn’t book tickets. Any advice on this matter.
Thanks and regards
Sushmitha
Hi Nilesh,
My partner and I applied for our second 482 in Jan 2022, however the application outcome is still pending as my partner is awaiting Police Certification from Ireland.
I am due to travel to Ireland in 3 weeks and had to apply for the BVB as we are currently on BVA. Will my BVB application be delayed due to missing documentation on the 482 application? I am stressing out!
Thanks!
Hi Nicole
I don’t think that the bridging Visa B (subclass 020) application to return to Ireland will be affected by the fact that the 482 application is still being processed.
Hope this helps. Feedback here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Thank you!
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hi Nilesh, I have a question regarding my BVA. I am currently in Australia on an ETA travel visa that is valid for 1 year and allows multiple entry of maximum 3 month stay. I have already applied for my BVA which will come into effect after the expiry of my ETA. I have 5 days left before I reach 90 days on my ETA. Can I leave Australia in 3 days which means I do not stay in the country longer than 90 days so my BVA does not come into effect? Can I then return in a week on my ETA and then after 90 days by BVA comes into effect or will it cancel it!!! We paid a lot for the bridging visa and do not want to do anything to cancel it but I need to leave for a week and seems easier to leave now than risk applying for a BVB and not getting it. I am married to an Australian so my BVA is for eventually getting my citizenship because we live in Australia now. I am not working this year so not worried about rights to work.
Thank-you very much.
Hi Hoda
WOOOAAAH!!
If you exit Australia then your bridging Visa A (subclass 010) will extinguish upon exit.
A Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) does not have any return facility. You need to apply for a Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) before exiting.
It is also technically possible to re-enter and then apply for the Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) to be reinstated but this is not my preferred or recommended course of action.
Hope this helps. Feedback here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Thank you!
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hi Sir,
Would like to ask is there any way we can chasing for BVB VISA. I’ve mailed my application on the 25th of March. But i still didn’t get any response from the department. And it’s almost my flight date.
Thanks
Tried to contact the case officer handling the substantive Visa application upon which the Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) is based.
You might also lodge a complaint on the general complaint page on the IMMIGRATION website.
Did you send the allocation by post and does your parcel contain a tracking code. If not then perhaps you might consider we doing the application with the tracking code. Be careful that the earlier application is withdrawn as the grant of a second bridging Visa if not transparent good cause you significant difficulties.
*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.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review