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!
705 Responses
Hi
My student visa got reject and my case is with ART however i have a valid BVB which is valid until October 2025 . I need to travel for a short 1 week trip outside of Australia.
Is it safe to travel will i be stopped at immigration as i am travelling during my term.
Hi Kanu,
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind:
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You might find the following pages helpful:
Bridging Visa help
Visa refusal advice
AAT Appeals
🧳✈️
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
Disclaimer: In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using
Hi sir,
I am currently on a 482 Visa, however I am no longer working for my Sponsor company. Is it possible to apply for a Bridging Visa E if I cannot find a new company to sponsor me? I would use those extra days past the expiry of my 180 days ‘grace period’ for finding a new sponsor to arrange leaving the country.
Hi Ciara
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind.
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You may find these pages helpful:
Bridging Visa help
Visa refusal advice
Sponsor change problems
Let me know if you’d like to chat with me or my team.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
Disclaimer: In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. See Notes and Disclosures at the footer of my work emails.
Me, my husband and my 22 months old had 485 visa expired on December.
We decided to stay and travel during summer time in Australia. And applied visitor 600 visa on shore.
Waited for 2 months and granted 28/01/2025. Expires 02/02/2025
They only granted 4 days visa for us.
Thing is we have rental unit in Sydney. We are not able to leave within 4 days.
We wish to leave Australia lawfully.
Is there any way we leave by within March. so we can organise our leave and arrange our place to live in home country. We rented our home till mid March. So we will let the tenants know that we are coming. And we can move in.
Hi Jackie,
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind:
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You might find the following pages helpful:
Brid_
Hi,
If i travel on bvb and when i am in home country and my student visa gets canceled, would i still be allowed to re-enter in australia.
Waiting for your response
Thank you.
Dear Muhammad,
Thank you for your question.
Generally, if you are travelling on a Bridging Visa B (BVB) and your student visa is cancelled while you are overseas, your BVB might also be cancelled. This would prevent you from re-entering Australia.
However, if your student visa application was refused (not cancelled), you may still be able to re-enter Australia on your BVB. In this case, you could consider applying for a review of the student visa refusal at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
It is important to note that each case is unique and the specific circumstances of your situation will determine the outcome. We recommend that you seek professional advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer for further guidance.
Kind regards,
Nilesh Nandan
*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,
My current 408 temporary activity visa expired on January 24th. I submitted an application for a carer visa by post on January 17th, which, according to Australia Post, was delivered to Perth on January 21st, then redirected to Melbourne and delivered on January 23rd. Since this is a paper application, I have not automatically received a Bridging Visa A. Upon contacting the department, I was informed that, according to their policy, they would consider granting a Bridging Visa A effective from the date the application was received or stamped. However, I don’t have evidence of my application’s delivery or being stamped, aside from the tracking information from Australia Post. The immigration officer mentioned that I could technically be considered unlawful, but the department would review the circumstances and potentially grant me a visa from the date of receipt. I am worried about being classified as unlawful in the country and receiving a Bridging Visa C instead of a Bridging Visa A, as I intend to leave and re-enter the country soon.
Please advise. Thank you
Hi Ruby,
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind:
There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances.
Seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
You might find the following pages helpful:
Bridging Visa help
Partner visa options
Visa refusal advice
📬🧳
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au
Disclaimer: In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. See Notes and Disclosures at the footer of my work emails.
Nilesh,
My working holiday visa will expire in a couple of weeks and my boss has decided to sponsor me on the 494 visa.
I have completed all the necessary processes and the final step is to lodge for the sponsorship. However, as its low season and my employer is unable to give me my full time hours, we are unable to lodge. I’m required to work the full 38 hours in order to lodge.
We have decided that in April (when the season picks back up and I can work 38+ hours a week without a problem), we will make the final lodgement for the sponsorship.
In the meantime, I have been advised to apply for the 600 visitor visa, so I can remain in the country without working.
My question is: When applying for the 600 vistor visa, is the best option for me to explain my sponsorship situation or not to mention it at all? Personally, I wanted to explain it but my employer thinks it could lead to the vistor visa being rejected?
Thanks for any help you can shed on this tricky situation.
Best regards,
Hannah
When applying for a 600 Visitor Visa, it is important to demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor whose primary purpose is to visit Australia temporarily. This involves showing:
• Evidence of ties to your home country, such as employment, property, or family commitments, to demonstrate your intention to return.
• A clear travel plan or itinerary, including reasons for your visit and planned departure date.
• Financial capacity to support yourself during your stay without working.
Your application should focus solely on meeting these requirements at the time of lodgement. If, after being granted the visa, you later decide to apply for another visa while in Australia, this change of intention is permissible under Australian law. It is essential, however, that your initial application reflects your genuine intent to visit temporarily.
Regards Nilesh Nandan Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory http://myvisa.com.au/
*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! I’m currently on a Bridging Visa A, having applied for a Partner Visa. The application might take up to 10 months, and I would like to fly back to Europe to see my family at least once. To do so, I understand I need to apply for a Bridging Visa B and have it granted first.
My concern is the timeframe. I was told by immigration that I can’t book a flight ticket unless the BVB is approved first. However, if the BVB becomes active immediately after being granted, I may only have 30 days to find a return flight to Europe, which could be challenging within such a short time frame. This might leave me with only about 15 days to spend with my family if even.
Is there a way to apply for a BVB but have it activated later, rather than immediately after it gets granted?
I’d really appreciate any help or advice.
Thank you so much in advance
Thank you for your query, Bart.
I appreciate the detail you’ve provided about your situation, and I’d like to offer you clear advice to help you plan your travel while waiting for the outcome of your Partner Visa application.
Here are the key points:
1. Booking Flights and BVB Application Timing
1.1 Booking Flights:
• There is no legal requirement to hold a Bridging Visa B (BVB) in order to book a flight. Travel agents or airlines are not concerned about your visa status when you book.
• An immigration officer’s suggestion to wait until you have the BVB before booking a flight is unnecessary and has no basis in Australian migration law.
• You can book your flight at a time that is convenient to you. That said, I recommend booking travel with flexibility (e.g., refundable or changeable tickets) in case your visa grant takes slightly longer than expected.
1.2 BVB Processing Times:
• Bridging Visa B applications are typically processed within a few weeks. To allow for sufficient time, I suggest lodging your application one (1) month before your planned travel date. This will give you peace of mind and ensure your visa is granted well in advance of your departure.
2. Applying for a Longer Travel Facility on the BVB
2.1 Requesting a Longer Travel Period:
• Standard BVB travel facilities are often limited to a few months, but you can request a longer period (e.g., 12 months) if you have valid reasons.
• When applying for the BVB, include evidence supporting your request for extended travel validity. This may include:
• A detailed explanation of your circumstances, such as family commitments in Europe.
• Travel itineraries or supporting documents showing why extended travel is necessary.
2.2 Return Before Travel Facility Expiry:
• Ensure you re-enter Australia before the travel facility on your BVB expires. If you do not return within the travel validity period, the BVB will cease, and you will not be able to re-enter Australia unless you are granted another substantive visa offshore.
• If you return before the travel validity expires, the BVB will remain valid and allow you to stay lawfully in Australia until your Partner Visa application is finalised.
3. Confidence in Your BVB Grant
3.1 Your Application Should Be Straightforward:
• Based on the information you’ve shared, your application for a BVB should not encounter any issues. A Partner Visa application is a clear and valid reason to apply for a BVB, and travel to visit family is a recognised purpose for granting the visa.
3.2 Key Steps:
• Lodge your BVB application approximately one (1) month before your planned departure.
• Clearly explain your travel reasons and include supporting documents for any extended travel period request.
• Once the BVB is granted, you can travel with confidence, ensuring you return to Australia within the travel facility’s validity.
4. Final Advice and Assistance
If you’d like help preparing your BVB application, including drafting a strong case for a longer travel validity, I’d be happy to assist. Feel free to book a 10-minute night chat with me at myvisa.com.au/10-minute-chat so we can discuss your specific circumstances in more detail.
Summary for Bart
1. Book Flights Whenever You’re Ready:
• You are free to book your flight now or at any time before lodging your BVB application. There is no requirement to hold a BVB to book a flight.
2. BVB Timing:
• Lodge your BVB application approximately one month before your planned departure date.
• BVBs are generally processed within a few weeks.
3. Request Longer Travel Validity:
• Consider requesting a longer travel facility (e.g., 12 months) in your application, supported by strong reasons and evidence.
4. Return Before the Travel Facility Expires:
• Ensure your re-entry to Australia is within the travel validity period of the BVB. Failure to do so will result in the BVB ceasing, and you would need to apply for another visa offshore to return.
5. No Concerns About Approval:
• Given your situation, there should be no issues in obtaining a BVB to allow travel and return to Australia while awaiting your Partner Visa outcome.
Warm regards,
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) GDLP MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | LPN 5510802
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
*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.