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 bridgingvisa applicationis 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) deemedto be an applicationfor 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 bridgethe 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 amechanism for keeping you lawfully present in Australia.
Otherwise…
If a bridging visa was 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 area,b, ande.
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 aVEVO check. It’s online and free.
Know this…
BVB limitation
Be careful with abridging 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 aBVBis 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 tostartreturningto 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 afurtherBVBif 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 or 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 nevergo 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 torefuse 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 independentimmigration legal adviceif 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 precisevisa statusregularly 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
We are on tourist visa SC 600. Applied for SC 143 on 30/01/2018. Can we get BV A with NO CONDITION ? We are leaving in Australia since 30/11/2019 on TOURIST VISA SC 600. My son and daughter are CITIZEN here.
Hi Nilesh,
I have already used my BVB visa until last month. My TR visa is still under process because the medical exam is pending.
Is it okay to apply for BVB again if there’s an emergency?
Will the immigration officer’s refuse my TR application due to not providing medicals or changing visa to BVB?
Hi Rushi
Thank you for question.
Yes you can apply for a BVB again if there is an emergency. There is no difficulty with this.
Yes, the IMMIGRATION Case Officer may refuse your TR application if you fail to provide information on time including providing evidence if you want to take on the relevant medical examination. If you are having difficulties in providing the relevant material to the department then you need to seek an extension of time and comply with the new extended deadline given to you.
No, the IMMIGRATION Case Officer is unlikely to refuse your to your application simply because you have made application for a Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) .
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
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Hi Nilesh,
I’m currently on ETA and have applied for a 485 post grad work visa as I graduated in Australia. I have been granted a bridging visa A however it does not become active until August 10. Can I leave Australia for 1 week and return in July without compromising when my bridging visa A becomes active? Because I’m waiting for work rights.
There are number of issues which flow from the circumstances as I understand them above.
Firstly your Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) will expire the minute you exit Australia.
Secondly it is unclear whether you will be re-entering Australia on a new ETA with the current visitor Visa you hold allows for multiple entry.
This is important because if you have a multiple entry Visa will have no difficulty securing a further ETA then when you return to Australia you can make an application to have your Bridging Visa “A” Class (Subclass 010) reinstated.
Another consideration is the making of an application for Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) prior to exit in Australia.
Book a quick 10 minute chat with me here: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
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.
Hi Nilesh,
Did I understand you correctly that someone who applied for a student visa (subclass 500 for higher education) from their home country (USA) but entered Australia on an ETA is not eligible to apply for a bridging visa BVA?
My son applied for his student visa on 30th June. He entered Australia on 11th July after confirming with the Home Affairs office and the University that it would not be a problem to study on his ETA for three months. As per his ETA, he must exit Australia by 9th October.
1) Is he eligible for the BVA?
2) if he does not receive the BVA by 9th October, can he travel to NZ for a weekend and come back to Australia so that his ETA is “reset” for another three months.
Thanks!
Will it make a difference in processing times if i am onshore on a visitor visa when applying for a medium term 482 visa ? Also will i be able to get a bridging visa and work with my employer while waiting for the 482 decision?
Hi Nilesh,
My student visa expires on 27th July 2022 and I am planning to go overseas end of this year around December. I am planning to extend my visa and apply for a BVB to allow me to travel.
My question here is (1) Can the immigration refuse my current application for student visa while I’m on a BVB (travelling) and (2) Am I allowed to go back to Australia to make an appeal? Or I will be stuck overseas? Please help. Your response will be much much appreciated 🙏🏻
im currently on BVA visa , and im planning to apply a BVB visa to travel go back to my country for 2 months regarding my passport will expired around 7/8 months ahead, is it a possible reason for my application?
Yes. I can not see why not.
Can you apply at the your country’s embassy inside Australia?
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
Hi , I am currently in bridging Visa A and I got letter of visa refusal almost 3weeks ago(I applied for students visa sub 500).. I read all things properly but didn’t realize I have only 21 days to apply for another visa. I mistakenly read it 28 days.. now I have only 2days left and it is Sunday and Monday..
Is there anything I can do in 1 day .
UREGENT!!!!
Yes you must absolutely apply NOW! If it is the last day you could me text me NOW on +61409 841 837 …I can send you a quotation for doing this work on your behalf.
Use this link to book your consultation with me: https://myvisa.com.au/consultation/
I will also ask my team to send you an email in case you missed looking at this post.
Make sure you do something because once you lose the opportunity to take your application for review to the AAT, you will forever lose this right and you will have extremely limited options here in Australia.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
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.
Hi Nilesh,
I applied 408 visa and now I’m on BVA, I haven’t done my medical exam and I want to travel overseas. Since it’s risky to travel on 408 visa so I was wondering if they can refuse the visa while I’m offshore but still didn’t do my medical exam.
Cheers.
Yes they can refuse while you are offshore.