Bridging Visas in Australia
Are you in Australia, having applied for a new visa before your current one expires? Or are you sorting out your immigration status? Waiting for a visa decision can be uncertain, leaving you wondering about your legal standing.
Bridging visas in Australia maintain your legal status while your new visa application is processed, potentially preserving work or study rights. Nia Migration explains these temporary 'status bridge' visas.
This guide covers the key aspects: their purpose, types, how they're granted, your rights and rules, and crucial points to know while you hold one.
What is a Bridging Visa? The 'Status Bridge'
A Bridging visa temporarily keeps you lawfully in Australia while waiting for a decision on a new visa or making plans to leave. They act as a temporary bridge, so you don't become unlawful just because of processing times or while you resolve your status.
Who are they for?
Bridging visas are for individuals in Australia who have applied for a substantive visa before their current one expires. They can also be granted to specific unlawful individuals engaging with the Department or seeking a review.
Basic Outcome:
A Bridging visa gives you legal permission to stay temporarily. It doesn't count towards permanent residency and stops being valid when certain things happen (most commonly, when a decision is made on the main visa application it's linked to).
Purpose:
To ensure people don't face issues while staying, the Department processes their applications or while they finalise departure plans. Different types (A, B, C, D, E) exist for various situations.
Becoming Eligible for a Bridging Visa
You don't typically 'apply' for most Bridging visas like a regular visa based on points. Eligibility is usually triggered by your immigration situation in Australia and your actions, like applying for another visa.
How you might become eligible:
- Applying for a New Visa While Lawful: The most common way is to apply for a substantive visa while you are in Australia and before your current visa expires. This usually results in an automatic Bridging Visa A (BVA) grant, which only starts when your current visa ends.
- Applying While Your Current Visa is Still Valid: If you apply for a new visa while your current one is still active, the BVA is granted, but it waits in the background. You keep the rights and rules of your current visa until it expires.
- Circumstances if Unlawful: If your previous visa expired and you are now unlawful, applying for certain visas (if allowed) or taking steps to sort out your status might make you eligible for a Bridging Visa C (BVC), Bridging Visa D (BVD), or Bridging Visa E (BVE), depending on how you became unlawful and how you engage with the Department.
- Seeking Review: If your main visa application is refused and you apply for a review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or a court, you may get a Bridging visa to stay lawfully during the review process.
Eligibility really depends on your personal immigration history and status when you deal with the Department.
The Role of a Sponsor: Not Applicable
Australian Bridging Visas usually don't require a sponsor. Eligibility is based on your circumstances in Australia. Sponsorship duties apply to your main visa application, not the Bridging visa. If the sponsored main visa is approved, sponsorship obligations commence or continue.
The Application Process: Often Automatic
Applying for a Bridging visa is usually not a complex, separate application. For most types, it's linked to another event, like lodging a main visa application.
How different Bridging visas are granted:
- Step 1: Lodge Your Main Visa Application: For a BVA or BVC, it starts when you apply for a substantive visa in Australia.
- Step 2: Bridging Visa Grant:
- Bridging Visa A (BVA): Usually granted automatically and immediately when you apply for a substantive visa onshore before your current visa expires. It becomes active when your current visa expires. You'll be notified.
- Bridging Visa C (BVC): This can be granted if you apply for certain substantive visas while you are considered unlawful if you meet specific conditions about how you became illegal. You generally need to apply for this one.
- Bridging Visa D (BVD): A very short-term visa (usually 5 working days) for people who are unlawful or whose visa is ending very soon, and they plan to apply for a substantive visa soon or are arranging to leave. It gives a brief lawful period. You usually need to apply for this in person.
- Bridging Visa E (BVE): Often for people who are unlawful and are taking steps to sort out their status (like applying for certain visas or arranging to leave). Can also be granted while waiting for an AAT or court review outcome. You typically need to apply for this.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB): This is the only bridging visa requiring a separate application and fee after you have a BVA (or sometimes another BVB). Apply for a BVB if you have a BVA (or BVB) and must travel overseas temporarily and return while your main visa is pending. You must show a real need to travel.
- Step 3: Waiting: You hold the Bridging visa while your main visa is processed, wait for a review, or finalise departure plans.
Documents Required:
- For BVAS, BVCS, BVDS, and BVES (when linked to a primary application or resolving status), the 'documents' are generally those for the substantive visa application itself, or proof of identity and status.
- For a BVB application, you must provide specific reasons and evidence for needing to travel (e.g., employer letter, family emergency proof). You also need to state travel dates.
After Grant (or Lodgement for BVB):
- You get a grant notice showing your Bridging visa type, conditions, and start date.
- If applying for a BVB, you get an acknowledgment and must wait for a decision before travelling.
- You can check your status and conditions via the VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) system on the Department's website. This is the most reliable source.
- Processing times for the substantive visa vary greatly, so you hold the Bridging visa. BVB applications are usually processed much faster than substantive visas.
The Costs
A big plus for most Bridging visas is that there is usually no government fee (VAC).
- Typically, no VAC for BVA, BVC, BVD, or BVE.
- The only Bridging visa that usually costs money is the Bridging Visa B (BVB), which is needed for temporary overseas travel and return while your main visa is pending.
- Registered Migration Agent Fees: See our pricing page for Nia Migration's fees.
Other costs (like health exams or police checks) are usually tied to the substantive visa application you lodged, not the Bridging visa itself.
Always check the official Department website for current government fees, as they can change.
Living in Australia on a Bridging Visa: Rights and Rules
Living on a Bridging visa means your rights and obligations depend directly on the specific type you hold and how it was granted. Always check your visa grant notice and VEVO.
Common Entitlements (Vary):
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Lawful Status: The main right is to stay in Australia temporarily legally.
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Work Rights: This varies a lot:
- Bridging Visa A (BVA): This visa generally has the same work rights as your previous visa. If your old visa had no work rights, your BVA likely doesn't either initially. You can apply for work rights if you prove financial hardship, but this is a separate process and not guaranteed.
- Bridging Visa C (BVC) & E (BVE): Usually granted with no work rights initially. Like a BVA without initial work rights, you might apply based on financial hardship, but it's not guaranteed.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB): Carries the same work rights as the BVA or BVB it replaced.
- Bridging Visa D (BVD): Generally, no work rights.
Never assume you can work. Check your notice or VEVO. Working without permission is a serious breach.
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Study Rights: Generally, you can keep studying if your previous visa allowed it and your Bridging visa conditions don't stop it. Check your specific conditions.
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Travel Rights: Another key difference:
- BVAs, BVCs, BVDs, and BVES do not allow you to travel overseas and return. If you leave Australia on one, it stops, and you'll need a new visa to return.
- The Bridging Visa B (BVB) only allows overseas travel and return while your main visa is being processed. You must apply for and get a BVB before you leave Australia.
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Healthcare: Medicare access on a Bridging visa is usually linked to your eligibility based on the substantive visa application you've lodged (e.g., some permanent visa applicants get Medicare). Bridging visa status itself doesn't automatically grant access. If not eligible for Medicare, health insurance is highly recommended.
Conditions:
Your notice lists conditions you must follow. These can include:
- Work rights rules (or lack thereof).
- Tell the Department if your address or other things change.
- Attending interviews or providing info if asked.
- Conditions about attending courts or tribunals if needed.
Avoiding Problems: Key Points
- Work Rights Are Not Automatic: Always check the work rights of your specific Bridging visa on VEVO. Don't work without permission.
- Overseas Travel Needs a BVB: Leaving on a BVA, BVC, BVD, or BVE cancels it. If you must travel internationally and plan to return, you must apply for and get a BVB before leaving.
- Know When Your Bridging Visa Stops: Understand what causes your Bridging visa to end:
- Leaving Australia (unless you have a BVB).
- Your substantive visa application is granted.
- Your substantive visa application is refused or withdrawn (the Bridging visa usually lasts a short time after refusal, but know the exact end date).
- Another substantive visa is granted to you.
- Impact of Past Unlawful Status: If you were unlawful before getting your Bridging visa (likely BVC, BVD, or BVE), this can limit future visa options and work rights.
- Keep Details Updated: Always give the Department your address and contact information.
Ignoring the Bridging visa rules can lead to serious consequences, such as becoming unlawful and affecting future visa applications.
Strengthening Your Main Visa Application While You Wait
Since most Bridging visas are for waiting on a substantive visa, focusing on that application is key during this time.
- Respond Quickly to Department Requests: If the Department asks for more info for your main visa, reply as fast and thoroughly as possible. Delays can slow things down or hurt your application.
- Inform the Department of Changes: If significant things affect your main visa (e.g., relationship status, new skills, job changes for skilled visas), tell the Department in writing via ImmiAccount.
- Keep Meeting Visa Requirements: While the substantive visa you applied for is being processed, make sure you still meet the criteria. Gather any more documents that could help your case.
How Can We Help?
Understanding bridging visas and managing your status while waiting for a main visa decision can be tricky and stressful. Knowing your specific rights, rules, and duties is essential.
Consulting Registered Migration Agent Niloo Nia at Nia Migration clarifies the Bridging visas. We assist with understanding visa conditions and BVBS for travel and strengthening your substantive visa application.
Our services include:
- Checking your current immigration status and the Bridging visa type.
- Clearly explain your specific Bridging visa conditions, including work and travel rights.
- Guiding you on your central visa application processing.
- Experts can help you apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) if you need to travel overseas.
- Support responding to information requests from the Department about your main visa.
- Ongoing advice and support throughout your visa journey.
Let us help you handle this period confidently, ensuring you stay lawful while working towards your Australian visa goals.
Contact Nia Migration today for expert help with your Bridging visa and substantive visa application. We're here to help you achieve your Australian migration dreams.
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