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,
Looking to get some advice here.
My partner has applied Partner Visa 820/801 in last June 2022. He is still holding student visa sub 500 expires mid 2024.
We’re going overseas and purchased our flight tickets for coming October 2022 (Only going for 3 weeks) and was told by someone that he still needs to apply for Bridging B eventhough the Bridging A is not active yet until his student visa expired in 2024. That person said Bridging A Active/Not Active will ceased when we leave Australia so he wouldn’t have any Bridging Visa A when his student visa expires later.
He applied Bridging B through immi account today and was told by another friend said he shouldn’t need to apply for it as he still has a Student visa with no travel condition so he can return to Australia.
Could I please get some advice? Does he actually need to get Bridging B to travel? In this case he has applied for Bridging B, will this affect partner visa application?
Thanks.
Thank you for your questions here.
I see a little point in obtaining a bridging Visa if your partner holds a substantive Visa allowing him to enter and re-enter at will. The Advice you have received is rubbish.
If a bridging Visa B has been applied for in the circumstances and I would simply withdraw that application.
The application for the bridging Visa B has no relevance in relation to the decision-making process in respect of the partner isa so do not worry about that.
After returning to Australia and deciding to stay put until such time as your partner visa is granted to you and in circumstances where the expiry of the student visa is imminent, I would then seek to make a fresh application for a bridging visa A class in association with the partner visa that was previously lodged.
*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.
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Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
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Hi Sir,
This is my case, my visa 500 expired last Nov 2021 and I applied for extension visa, schedule of my medical is last May 2022 and my COE expired Jan 2022 and I got my bridging visa that time. It’s has been more than 6 mos before I applied for new COE because my agent didn’t lodge my TR before my COE (Jan 2022) ends. What will happen to my visa if this is my case? are they gonna approved it or not?
Hi has anyone gotten there BVB recently I Applied few weeks ago 2 weeks ago to be more specific as you can travel for only 3 months and I was planning to travel 2, but the department hasn’t responded and can’t provide me with a date, has anyone had a similar issue?
Hi Luis,
We are in the same situation, I applied my visa through an agent. My application was lodged in 12th of July. I made a follow up in 3rd of August with them because I book my flight on the 15th of August. They advise to do a re application which I had to pay again on the 4th August. Until now there’s no feedback from the immigration. I really thought I got an ample time for this application. Now, I had to make a rebooking of our tickets because we are travelling as a family. And if you call the immigration, either someone can talk to you but can’t help or there’s someone who’s very rude which adds stress to your situation.
I am waiting as well for bridging b visa.
Have you received yours?
Hi!
I have applied visitor visa for my parents on shore . Immigration has granted bridging visa for my mum but haven’t received any info for my dad.
We have earlier applied Bridging visa B for dad which was refused. Does it effect substantive visa application. Someone suggested that section 48 comes in effect and no visa will be granted onshore.
Please help…. Thanks
There are a number of explanations that come to mind:
It may be that no valid substantive Visa application has been made in respect of your father.
This is important because a bridging Visa can not be granted in relation to any invalid application.
If a valid application has been made then it is usually always possible to obtain a bridging visa in respect of that application provided that application was lodged in Australia is capable of being granted in Australia and the applicant is in Australia at the relevant times.
Experience suggests to me that this is not a section 48 issue.
You should refer a copy of the last application and the acknowledgement in respect of that application and also conduct a vevo check in relation to your father.
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Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
*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.
Hello, My student visa is expiring in mid
December 2022 and I already finished my
studies in june 2022 . This week august i lodged my TR already and i booked my ticket from 23 rd august to 3 November. Is it better to go on Bridging B visa as i finished my studies and already lodged my TR or just take a new COE as my visa expiring in december 2022. I came here on bachelor degree and if i take a new coe can i get diploma or must have to be bachelors but i want to go india at no risk . which is safer option . Pls pls help me out.
Hi Mohit
*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.
1. You don’t need a Bridging Visa “B” Class (Subclass 020) To exit Australia as you’re already hold a substantive Visa which allows a return facility provided your return before the current Visa expiry.
2. Unless there is a real risk that you will be stranded in India and not be able to return to Australia I would not recommend arranging a further confirmation of enrolment. Additionally I would not recommend lodging any further student Visa application.
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Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
This post is very easy to read and understand without leaving any details out. Great work! Thanks for sharing this valuable and helpful article.
Hi I applied for protection visa 5 years ago and I get bringing visa a and I didn’t get any response from the immigration till now
My kids are approaching grade 12 and they are the top of their class all the time am worried about their higher education coz I can’t afford university
Can you tell me how long I would expect more for my interview
By the way my case is genuine and we are not able to work professionally because we are not allowed to enter any courses coz our degree is not acceptable in Australia
Your response of estimate or even a guess from your experience is appreciated
Regards
Thank you for your questions.
*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.
Five years is a very long time to wait for a decision on a protection Visa application.
I am not sure how your protection Visa application appears to have taken such a long time but there could be a number of reasons including the lack of sufficient information in relation to your criminal conduct or your character in the past.
I take this opportunity to point out that it is unfortunately of no relevance to the question as to whether you are or you are not eligible for a protection Visa that your children are at the top of the classes.
Did you benefit from this response? Feel free to buy me a coffee if this was useful. It helps me answer more questions like yours!
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
myvisa.com.au/about/
1300558472
Hi,
My visitor visa 600 got expired so I applied for Covid-19 visa (408) in May 2021 which is still in pending status so I am currently on bridging visa a. Can I apply for bridging visa b to travel to India? If yes then how long it takes to approve bvb? Also do you see any issue during reentry to Australia if I travel to India on bvb?
Regards,
Neel
Hi,
I have the same question, I applied for a Covid Visa back in November 2021, and haven’t heard anything from the department since. I’ve been wanting to travel overseas but wondering if getting a BVB and going Offshore would have any risks involved or effects on my Covid visa application.
Would there be higher chances of refusal? Either way, if say, the visa is refused while I’m Offshore (with an active BVB), would the decision immediately revoke my BVB and right to re-enter Australia?
Would highly appreciate the answer to this question if possible.
Thanks,
Nauman