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
Hello,
I got a visa refused, appealed, won the case at AAT and now I’m waiting the granted from home affairs.
But my student visa application is from 2019 and was supposed to finish on 3/09/2022 which means it’s coming soon.
Will I have bva until I get the response from home affairs or it automatically finishes when my student (not yet granted) was supposed to finish?
It’s just taking so long and I’m confused about the bridging.
Thanks
Hi Nilesh. Thanks a lot for the information on page. I have applied for partner visa as I am married to an Australian citizen. I have received BVA which was to come in effect on 13 May 2022. I exited Australia on Visitor Visa (that is expiring in March 2023 but current 90 days were to expire on 13 May 2022 before which i already exited). I will travel back in July 2022 to Australia. At that time would my bridging visa have ceased to exit and if yes, can i get it reinstated once i am in Australia again? Where can i apply to get it reinstated if needed. Thanks very much…pls help soon.
Hi Nilesh! Thanks a lot about your article.
Our scenario is the worst one I think. At the moment my farther is on Bridging visa E, we were staying on this visa longer than 1 year waiting for ATT and we had a hearing and lost it. Now we have to depart Australia in 35 days!
The question is the following: how can i find out what kind of problems dad can face when we apply for new 600 or 870 visa? I am Australian citizen and the only child. To make things more complicated , my dad is disabled moving in wheelchair as he had a stoke in the past and we are from Russia as well 😓he is very scared to go back 😪 i was thinking to send him to Bali for half a year ( thats is the max visa I can do) and apply for new 600 visa meantime. BUT OUR IMMIGRATION AGENT NEVER ADVISED US THAT WE MIGHT BE HAVING PROBLEMS DUE TO STAYING ON BRIDGING VISA E.
Thanks
Kate
Thank you for your patience.
Yes. You have a number of problems:
1. Exiting on a bvE – A 3-year ban applies in certain circumstances only Android if it does apply there is scope for seeking waiver of the ban. You’ll need to get some specific advice about this. It’s possible but not easy.
2. The current medical condition of your father is relevant in relation to any new visa application that is made, in so far as meeting the health criteria.
3. Have you investigated other permanent options such as a parent visa.
4. Note that there are two streams for the sublease 600.
You can book in here: https://myvisa.com.au/10-minute-chat
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
Immigration Lawyer
MyVisa.com.au/about
Hi Nilesh,
Need your advice on my parents’ visa. They currently hold BVA while 600 (onshore) is being processed. They are leaving next week, earlier than planned, and I have also updated (and attached eticket) on the application.
I called immigration this morning, and I was advised to either wait for the visa to be granted or apply for BVB and then leave Australia, as the condition of the 600-onshore is that they have to be in Australia when applying and when the result is out.
After reading comment above that BVB takes weeks, I am thinking is it worth applying BVB or they go back home and then apply for a new Visitor visa (cancel the 600-onshore application) when they are coming to Australia some time next year?
I am just trying to figure out what is the best option in this situation and also make sure we don’t do anything that will jeopardise future applications.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
Hello Nilesh,
Firstly, Thanks a ton for giving us your valuable time and information. There are hardly any from this profession who takes that extra step to help people. Highly appreciate your efforts.
I had applied for my BVB on 16th of April , Intended date of travel being 10th of May which is tomorrow. No response from the department yet, not even requesting any documents. I contacted them multiple times all they have got to tell is “waiting is the only option.”
Please advice what can be done.
Thanks
Hi Sushmita
Thank you for your kind words.
The first thing I would like to say is that you must definitely not exit unless your Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) is granted.
I would send another email to the email address noted in your previous grant letter. I would try this email in relation to Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) is bvb@homeaffairs.gov.au
Also consider making a complaint using this website which I appreciate is not easy given the options they give you in the limited categories.
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/complaints-compliments-and-suggestions
If all else fails then I would advise you call your travel agent and reschedule your flight and accept that the Department is not perfect. Sorry!
Unlike substantive Visa’s immigration really gives us no idea in terms of processing times for Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020)applications. Arrrgh!!
I am of course assuming that you are currently the holder of a Bridging Visa “A” Class (.Subclass 010).
Do check whether or not you hold a substantive Visa still. If there is some significant time period left in respect of any substantive Visa (such as a subclass 485 Visa ) then you might risk travelling, making sure you re-enter before the expiration of that substantive Visa.
*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,
I’ve just graduated from my post-grad study and currently awaiting for my 485 Visa being granted. I am currently under BVA but I need to get a BVB as soon as possible because of important family issue in about one month. Do I need to provide my flight tickets detail while submitting the application form for BVB? I am just worrying what if I can’t get BVB on time and my flight ticket would go to waste. Is there a possibility that application for BVB would get rejected? Shall I wait for the confirmation of BVB then only I buy the flight tickets?
Hi Jacky
You’ll need to contact the travel agent who will provide you with an itinerary without necessarily paying in full for the tickets. The second option is to purchase tickets which are able to be changed without significant additional cost in case the Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) is not granted in time.
In my experience it is very rare that the application for any produce Visa be is rejected particularly if it is for less than a period of 12 weeks. More recently have seen Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) granted for a period of 12 months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
*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
Hello, I have a question in regards to BVB and BVA.
My question is I am holding 489 visa at the moment and will expire on 8th of June 2022, I have applied for BVB as I have BVA granted but not active yet, I have received the grant for BVB but not active as well until 8 June.
My question is if I traveled before 8 of June, is still BVB and BVA can getting active while I am offshore.
Thank you
Menna
This is a great question. There are a number of rules which you need to consider in these circumstances. I explain these in my book so keep an eye out for that. I hope to have to have it published in the coming months.
Firstly in relation to application X which you have made you have been granted a Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) . That bridging Visa was superseded by the grant of your Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) .
Your Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) is active but will not come into effect as the Visa you hold until midnight on the last day of your substantive Visa subclass 489.
So it simply depends on whether you are travelling and returning before the expiry of your subclass 489 Visa.
If yes then you will simply be exiting and returning on your 489.
If no then you will be returning on your Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) .
*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