Bridging Visas FAQs

A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa. It allows you to stay legally in Australia while your main visa application is processed. It applies to applicants who have applied for a new visa before their current visa expires. There are different types of bridging visas based on your situation. These include Bridging Visa A (BVA), Bridging Visa B (BVB), and Bridging Visa C (BVC).

The length of a bridging visa depends on the visa application it supports. A bridging visa usually lasts until the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision on your main visa. It also lasts until it expires. For example, Bridging Visa A stays valid while your application is being processed. However, it can be canceled if your main visa application is denied.

Whether you can work on a bridging visa depends on the conditions attached:

- Bridging Visa A usually does not grant work rights unless you apply separately and get permission.
- Bridging Visa E often allows work if you can prove financial hardship.
- Some bridging visas allow work if your substantive visa application allows work.

Always check your visa conditions carefully.

Most bridging visas do not allow travel outside Australia. However, Bridging Visa B (BVB) allows you to leave and return during a specified travel period. If you leave Australia on a bridging visa without permission, you might lose your bridging visa. This could also affect your main visa application.

If your bridging visa expires before your substantive visa is decided, you may become unlawful in Australia. It is important to apply for a new bridging visa or an extension before your current visa expires. This helps you keep your lawful status.

Most bridging visas allow you to study full-time or part-time. You cannot get government-subsidized tuition or loans like HELP while on a bridging visa. Check your visa conditions and the course provider’s policies before enrolling.

You will get a bridging visa when you submit a valid application for a substantive visa. This must happen before your current visa expires. If you do not get one automatically, you can apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a bridging visa.

The main types of bridging visas include:

- Bridging Visa A (BVA): For applicants already in Australia when applying for a new visa.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB): Allows travel outside Australia temporarily.
- Bridging Visa C (BVC): For applicants who don’t hold a substantive visa and have lodged a visa application.
- Bridging Visa E (BVE): For unlawful non-citizens or those in detention.

Yes, bridging visas can be canceled. This can happen if the holder breaks visa rules, gives false information, or is seen as a risk to the Australian community. Cancellation can lead to detention or removal from Australia.

Usually, bridging visas do not grant full access to Medicare or government benefits unless the applicant holds a substantive visa or meets special criteria. Some bridging visa holders may be eligible for reciprocal health agreements or limited access.

There is no single “best” bridging visa in Australia, as the right option depends on your individual circumstances and immigration status. Common types include the Bridging Visa A (BVA), which is suitable if you applied for a new visa before your current one expired; the Bridging Visa B (BVB), which allows temporary travel outside Australia; and the Bridging Visa E (BVE), typically granted to individuals who are unlawful or resolving immigration matters. Each visa has different conditions, particularly regarding work rights and travel. Choosing the most appropriate bridging visa requires careful assessment of your situation, especially if your case involves visa refusals or ongoing applications.

In most cases, you cannot leave Australia on a bridging visa and return unless you hold a Bridging Visa B (BVB). While visas like the Bridging Visa A (BVA) or Bridging Visa E (BVE) allow you to stay lawfully in Australia during visa processing, they do not provide travel rights. If you leave the country on these visas, they will usually cease, and you may not be able to re-enter Australia. A Bridging Visa B is specifically designed to allow temporary travel and return while your substantive visa is being processed.

A bridging visa in Australia is available to individuals who need to remain lawfully in the country while their immigration status is being resolved. You may be eligible if you have lodged a valid visa application and are waiting for a decision, or if your current visa is about to expire and you need to stay legally. It can also apply to people seeking review or appeal of a visa refusal, or those who are unlawful and making arrangements to depart Australia or resolve their status. Eligibility and conditions vary depending on the type of bridging visa, including whether you can work or travel.

A substantive visa is any visa that allows a person to stay lawfully in Australia and is not a bridging visa, criminal justice visa, or enforcement visa. Examples include visitor visas, student visas, partner visas, and skilled visas. Holding a substantive visa means you have a valid visa status in Australia.