Waiting for a visa decision can affect your work and travel plans. A Bridging Visa A may cover your stay after your current visa ends. A Bridging Visa B provides permission to leave and return during an approved period.
Quick answer: A bridging visa allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while an eligible visa application, review or immigration matter is resolved. Bridging Visa A commonly covers onshore applicants, Bridging Visa B permits travel and return within approved dates, and Bridging Visa E covers certain people resolving their status or arranging departure.
Information checked as at October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is a bridging visa?
A bridging visa allows you to stay temporarily in Australia in certain circumstances, including while Home Affairs processes another visa application.
A substantive visa is a visa such as a student, partner or employer-sponsored visa. Bridging visa eligibility depends on your visa history and application.
A bridging visa can be granted before it starts. You might receive a BVA grant while your student visa still has months remaining. Usually, the BVA starts when that visa ends. Until then, the student visa conditions apply.
Your grant notice explains the bridging visa arrangements. Visa Entitlement Verification Online, or VEVO, shows your current visa details and conditions.
Types of bridging visas at a glance
|
Visa |
When it may apply |
Work rights |
Travel overseas and return |
|
A, subclass 010 |
Eligible onshore application made while holding a substantive visa |
Depend on the application and grant conditions |
No return travel |
|
B, subclass 020 |
Eligible BVA or BVB holder with substantial reasons to travel |
Depend on the BVB conditions |
Within the approved travel period |
|
C, subclass 030 |
Eligible onshore application made without a substantive visa |
Often restricted, with exceptions for specified applications |
No return travel |
|
D, subclasses 040 and 041 |
Very short period to address an application or status issue |
No work rights |
No return travel |
|
E, subclasses 050 and 051 |
Certain status-resolution or protection-related circumstances |
Only where the grant permits work |
No return travel |
Your grant conditions determine what you can do.
Bridging Visa A: who gets it and what you can do
When a Bridging Visa A is granted
A Bridging Visa A commonly accompanies a valid onshore visa application made while you hold a substantive visa. In many cases, that application also covers the BVA, so you do not need to lodge a separate form.
Your grant notice in ImmiAccount identifies the visa, its start arrangements and conditions. Separate applications are needed in some circumstances, including during judicial review.
Work and study rights on a Bridging Visa A
You can work with a Bridging Visa A if its conditions allow it and the visa has taken effect. Some BVAs have work restrictions. Others are granted without them, depending on the application involved.
Before accepting extra hours or changing jobs, check:
- Which visa is currently in effect.
- Whether it limits your working hours or employer.
- When your bridging visa conditions will begin.
If your BVA restricts work, you may be able to apply for another BVA with work rights. You will usually need to demonstrate financial hardship, with evidence such as bank statements, income records and essential living expenses.
Protection visa applications and judicial review have different rules. Work permission may be unavailable even where someone is experiencing hardship.
If you plan to study, also check any study conditions and ask the education provider what it requires for enrolment.
Can you travel on a Bridging Visa A?
A BVA does not allow you to return to Australia. Once it is in effect, it ceases when you leave.
If you intend to travel overseas and return while relying on a bridging visa, apply for a BVB and wait for the grant before departing.
If your substantive visa is still valid, review its travel permission and expiry date before arranging a trip. You also need to understand how departure will affect your bridging visa arrangements.
Bridging Visa B: how to travel overseas while your visa is processed
Who can apply for a Bridging Visa B
You generally need to:
- Hold a BVA or BVB.
- Have an eligible substantive visa application that has not been finally determined, or meet the relevant judicial review criteria.
- Have substantial reasons to leave and return to Australia.
- Be in Australia when you apply and when the BVB is granted.
A BVC or BVE does not make you eligible to move directly to a BVB.
Support your travel reasons with relevant documents. A family medical situation might require medical information and evidence of your relationship. An employer’s letter may help explain work travel. Home Affairs assesses whether your circumstances meet the requirements.
How to apply and how long it takes
As at October 2026, Home Affairs recommends applying no more than three months and no less than two weeks before your intended departure. It does not publish a standard BVB processing time, so allow time for a decision and keep travel arrangements flexible.
If you lodged your substantive visa application online and it remains undecided, apply for the BVB through ImmiAccount. Applications associated with paper-lodged cases or review matters use the relevant webform process, including Form 1006.
Prepare:
- Your current passport details.
- Your proposed departure and return dates.
- An explanation of why you need to travel.
- Supporting documents for that explanation.
- Details of any family members applying to travel with you.
Each family member must meet the BVB requirements.
As at October 2026, the standard BVB base application charge is AUD575. Eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders may qualify for the lower AUD195 charge. Confirm the amount through the current visa pricing information before paying.
Wait for Home Affairs to grant the BVB before leaving.
The travel period and what happens if you return late
Your BVB grant states the approved travel period and whether it permits single or multiple travel. Check those details as soon as the grant arrives.
Return before the travel period expires. If you are overseas when it ends, the BVB ceases and you cannot return on it. You cannot obtain another BVB from outside Australia.
For example, if the travel facility ends on 30 June, a return flight scheduled for that date leaves little room for a cancellation or delay. An earlier return gives you time to respond if plans change.
If you are already back in Australia when the travel period ends, you may still be able to remain under the BVB while your application is processed. Its permission to stay depends on the visa’s terms and the outcome of the associated matter.
For later trips, obtain another BVB before leaving if the existing travel facility will not cover your dates.
Travelling while a refusal is under review
If you are appealing a visa refusal, have your lawyer check the travel arrangements before you book.
A timely, valid review application to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) can mean the underlying visa application has not yet been finally determined. A BVB may be available if you meet the other criteria.
Judicial review through the courts has separate requirements and can require a new bridging visa application. Your lawyer should also check any hearing obligations and how travel could affect the matter.
Bridging Visa C and D: the short version
A Bridging Visa C may be available after an eligible onshore application made without holding a substantive visa.
An initial BVC often prohibits work, with exceptions for specified applications, including subclass 186. Some holders can apply for work rights based on financial hardship. Judicial review has additional restrictions.
A Bridging Visa D provides a very short period to address specified application or status issues. It permits no work or return travel.
Bridging Visa E: if your visa has ended or been cancelled
A Bridging Visa E may allow an eligible person to remain lawfully while resolving an immigration matter or arranging to leave Australia.
Subclass 050 generally covers people who are unlawful or hold specified bridging visas. Subclass 051 applies in limited protection-related circumstances.
A BVE can have work restrictions and reporting requirements. Follow your grant conditions and notify Home Affairs of relevant contact changes.
A further BVE with work rights is available only in certain circumstances. Requirements differ for matters involving judicial review or ministerial intervention.
A BVE ends when you leave Australia. Restrictions such as the section 48 bar may also affect further applications. Seek advice promptly if your visa is refused or cancelled so you understand your options and deadlines.
Bridging visas for 482 and 186 applicants
Changing employer or lodging a new 482 application
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is an employer-sponsored temporary visa. If you change employers in the same occupation, you may need a new nomination without needing a new visa application.
A nomination by itself does not create a bridging visa. A bridging visa becomes relevant when you lodge an eligible visa application, for example because your current visa is nearing expiry or you are changing occupation.
A BVA linked to a further 482 application can retain employer-related condition 8607 where that condition applied to the earlier visa.
Before starting with a new employer, check the nomination and your current conditions. Condition 8607 includes provisions allowing temporary work after sponsored employment ends, so the permitted start date needs checking against your circumstances.
Our guide to changing employers on a 482 visa explains the employer-change process.
Work rights while your 186 is being processed
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is a permanent employer-nominated visa. A BVA granted on the usual application basis for this visa is generally granted without work conditions under the current regulations.
If your 482 visa is still in effect, its employer restrictions continue until it ceases. Your 186 bridging visa work rights begin when the bridging visa takes effect.
Changing employment can also affect the underlying nomination or visa application. Review the 186 visa requirements and your 482 to PR pathways before making a change.
Family members and student dependants on a bridging visa
Check each family member’s visa conditions separately. Family members included in one application may have different conditions or start dates.
If a dependant plans to study, check their study permission and the provider’s enrolment requirements. Having a primary applicant waiting for a 186 decision does not automatically establish eligibility for a student dependent visa. See student dependent work rights for that separate visa framework.
Common bridging visa mistakes
Before making plans, check:
- Departure: Has the BVB been granted before you leave?
- Return: Does the travel facility cover your return date?
- Work: Are you following the conditions of the visa currently in effect?
- Expiry: Have you checked your application options before your current visa ends?
- Withdrawal: Do you know when your bridging visa will end if you withdraw an application?
Keep grant notices and decision letters together. Our guide to common visa application mistakes covers other preparation issues.
When to speak to a migration lawyer
For help with a refusal, BVE, urgent travel or unclear work conditions, speak with AIM Lawyers in Melbourne CBD. Our team can review your visa history and explain your options. For relationship-based applications, also read our partner visa requirements guide.
Book a consultation to discuss your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Bridging Visa A last?
It depends on the associated application and any review. For many BVAs granted on or after 19 November 2016, the ordinary refusal-related period is 35 calendar days after the decision, subject to exceptions. The deadline for applying to the ART may be different.
Can I work on a bridging visa?
You can work if the bridging visa is in effect and its conditions permit it. Your grant notice and VEVO show the relevant conditions. Some eligible holders can apply for another bridging visa with work rights.
How long does a Bridging Visa B take to process?
As at October 2026, Home Affairs does not publish standard BVB processing times. It recommends applying between three months and two weeks before travel. You must receive the grant before departing.
Can I travel on a Bridging Visa A?
A BVA does not allow return travel and ceases on departure once it is in effect. Obtain a BVB before leaving if you need to return under bridging visa arrangements.
What happens to my bridging visa if my visa is refused?
A timely, valid ART review may keep the associated bridging visa operating under its rules. Check the refusal letter immediately for review rights and deadlines. Judicial review can require a further bridging visa application.
Do I need to apply for a Bridging Visa A separately?
Often the eligible onshore visa application also covers the associated BVA. Confirm the grant in ImmiAccount. Separate applications are needed in some circumstances, including judicial review. A BVB requires its own application.
