Bridging Visas Australia

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A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while your substantive visa application is being processed. In most cases, a Bridging Visa is automatically granted when you apply for a new visa.

Bridging Visa A

Bridging Visa A Information
Stay Period Temporary
Privileges
  1. Allows you to remain in Australia while your substantive visa application is being processed.
  2. Can be granted if you apply for a substantive visa within Australia without holding a current substantive visa.
Restrictions A BVA does not permit re-entry into Australia if you leave the country.
Eligibility Requirements
  1. Applicant must have made a valid substantive visa application in Australia which is yet to be determined
  2. Applicant must be in Australia
  3. Applicant must be a non-citizen

Bridging Visa B

Bridging Visa A Information
Stay Period Temporary
Privileges
  1. Allows you to travel outside Australia and return while your substantive visa application is being processed.
  2. You can hold both a substantive visa and a BVB simultaneously.
Restrictions You are only allowed to re-enter Australia within the specified travel period
Eligibility Requirements
  1. Applicant must hold either a BVA or BVB
  2. Applicant must have made a valid substantive visa application in Australia which is yet to be determined
  3. Applicant wishes to leave and re-enter Australia
  4. The minister is satisfied that the reasons for applicant on leaving the country are genuine and substantial
  5. Applicant must be in Australia
  6. Applicant must satisfy the public interest criterion 4021 and their return must not be contrary to the public interest

Bridging Visa C

Bridging Visa A Information
Stay Period Temporary
Privileges
  1. Allows you to travel outside Australia and return while your substantive visa application is being processed.
  2. You can hold both a substantive visa and a BVB simultaneously.
Restrictions Does not permit re-entry to Australia if you leave the country.
Eligibility Requirements
  1. Applicant must hold either a BVE and has not held this visa since last holding a substantive visa
  2. Applicant does not hold a substantive visa and the applicant has made an application for a substantive visa
  3. Applicant must be in Australia
  4. Applicant must be a non-citizen

Bridging Visa D

Bridging Visa D Information
Stay Period Temporary
Privileges
  1. Allows you to lawfully remain in Australia for a short period if your substantive visa has expired.
  2. Provides time to:
    • Submit a new substantive visa application, or
    • Arrange your departure from Australia, or
    • Be granted a Bridging Visa E (BVE).
Restrictions Does not permit work or re-entry to Australia if you leave the country.
Eligibility Requirements
  1. Applicant must be in Australia
  2. Applicant must not be in immigration detention or criminal detention
  3. Applicant is an unlawful non-citizen or the applicant's visa will expire in the next 3 working days
  4. Applicant has made a genuine attempt to apply for a substantive visa in Australia and will make a new substantive visa application within the next 5 days
  5. Applicant has not previously been granted 2 BVD visas since last holding a substantive visa

Bridging Visa E

Bridging Visa E Information
Stay Period Temporary
Privileges
  1. Allows you to lawfully remain in Australia if your substantive visa has expired.
  2. Provides time to:
    • Make arrangements to leave Australia,
    • Resolve your immigration matters, or
    • Await an immigration decision.
Restrictions Does not permit work or re-entry to Australia if you leave the country.
Eligibility Requirements
  1. Applicant must be in Australia
  2. Applicant must be an eligible non-citizen
  3. Minister must be satisfied that the applicant is making genuine arrangements to leave Australia
  4. Applicant has applied for a substantive visa in Australia

Frequently

Asked       

Questions

  • A substantive visa is any visa that is not:

    • A bridging visa,

    • A criminal justice visa, or

    • An enforcement visa.

  • Being in Australia without a valid visa makes you an unlawful non-citizen, which can lead to:

    • Detention and removal from Australia,

    • Being barred from obtaining another visa for three years after departure, and

    • Owing a debt to the Australian Government for removal costs.

  • Your working rights depend on your BVA conditions:

    • If your BVA permits work, you can work under the specified conditions.

    • If your BVA restricts work, you can apply for another BVA that allows work by demonstrating financial hardship.

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