Bridging Visas

Bridging Visas: How to Stay Lawful Between One Visa and the Next.

A bridging visa is the safety net that keeps you here lawfully while your next application is decided. Which one you hold matters - it sets your work rights, your study rights, and whether you can travel. Get it right and you stay in control. Get it wrong and a simple trip overseas can lock you out.

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Which Bridging Visa Applies to You?

A bridging visa buys you time, not certainty.

When one visa is ending and the next one isn't decided yet, a bridging visa fills the gap. It usually starts automatically when you lodge a valid application onshore - but the type you get depends on your circumstances, and each type carries different conditions.

Most common

Bridging Visa A (010)

You held a substantive visa and applied for a new one onshore. The BVA keeps you lawful while it's decided. Generally includes work rights. No travel facility - you can't leave and return without upgrading to a BVB.

Lets you travel

Bridging Visa B (020)

You hold a BVA and need to leave Australia and return while your application is still being decided. The BVB adds a travel facility for a specific period. Apply before you leave - don't assume your BVA covers travel.

Bridging Visa C (030)

You applied onshore without holding a substantive visa. The BVC lets you stay while it's decided. Usually no travel facility, and work rights vary - check yours before assuming.

Urgent

Bridging Visa E (050/051)

You're unlawful or about to become unlawful. The BVE makes you lawful so you can sort out your departure or a further application. Act fast - the longer you're unlawful, the worse the consequences.

Never leave Australia on a BVA - it will cease. Once your BVA ceases, you've lost your place in the queue for the application you lodged. If you need to travel, apply for a BVB first, every time. This is the most common expensive mistake we see on bridging visas.

Work Rights on a Bridging Visa

Don't assume you have them - check your grant letter or VEVO.

Work rights on a bridging visa depend on what you held before and which bridging visa you're on. In many cases a BVA carries the same work rights as the substantive visa it replaced - but not always. A BVC or BVE may have no work rights at all, or limited ones. Your grant letter sets out your conditions. If you're not sure, we can check VEVO with you.

Compare the Four Types

BVA, BVB, BVC and BVE at a glance.

Use this as a starting point only. Your actual conditions sit in your grant letter, and they vary case by case. There is no set timeframe for how long any bridging visa lasts - it stays in effect while your application is being decided, however long that takes.

Bridging visa	When you get it	Work rights	Travel facility
Bridging Visa A (010)	You lodged a new application onshore while still holding a substantive visa.	Often carries the work rights of the visa you held before - but check your grant letter, it is not automatic.	No. Leaving Australia ends it. Apply for a BVB first if you need to travel.
Bridging Visa B (020)	You hold a BVA and need to leave and return while your application is pending.	Generally the same conditions as the BVA it sits on.	Yes, for a specified travel period. Apply before you leave.
Bridging Visa C (030)	You lodged onshore without holding a substantive visa.	Often restricted, and sometimes a no-work condition applies. Confirm before you assume you can work.	No, and it cannot be paired with a BVB for travel.
Bridging Visa E (050/051)	You are unlawful or about to become unlawful and need to regularise your status.	Often limited or none. Work rights may need a separate request, and are not guaranteed.	No travel facility. Departing on a BVE has serious consequences - get advice first.

How long does it last? There is no fixed expiry on a bridging visa - it runs while your application is being decided, and decision times vary widely by visa type and complexity. It generally ceases a set number of days after your application is finally decided (whether granted or refused), which is when the clock on any next step starts. We confirm the wording for your specific grant.

Which Path Fits Your Situation

Start from where you stand today.

A quick way to narrow down which bridging visa is in play. This is general information, not advice on your individual case - confirm with us before you act.

Path 1

You still hold a valid visa and want to apply onshore

A Bridging Visa A generally activates when you lodge a valid onshore application before your current visa ends. If a trip overseas is likely, plan a Bridging Visa B early so your travel does not cost you your place.

Path 2

You are on a BVA and need to travel

Apply for a Bridging Visa B before you fly. Never leave on a BVA assuming you can return - it ceases the moment you depart. The BVB grants a defined travel window tied to your pending application.

Path 3

Your visa has already ended

If you applied onshore without a substantive visa, a Bridging Visa C may keep you lawful. If you are already unlawful, a Bridging Visa E may regularise your status. Both are time-critical - contact us quickly.

Path 4

Your application was refused while bridging

A refusal can shorten how long your bridging visa lasts and start a tight review clock. See what to do if your bridging visa runs down, and consider whether employer-sponsored options or a partner application change the picture.

Common Questions

Bridging visa questions.

Can I work on a bridging visa?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no - it depends entirely on the conditions attached to your specific grant. A BVA often carries the same work rights as the visa you held before, while a BVC or BVE may come with restrictions or a no-work condition. The only way to be sure is to read your grant letter, which we're happy to do with you. Never assume your old work rights carry over.

Can I travel overseas on a bridging visa?

Only if your bridging visa includes a travel facility, and most don't. A BVA and a BVC have no travel facility, so leaving Australia ends them and you may not be able to return while your application is pending. If you hold a BVA and need to travel, you apply for a Bridging Visa B first. Always confirm before you book any flight.

What's the difference between a BVA and a BVC?

It comes down to what you held when you applied. A BVA is granted when you lodged your new application while still holding a substantive visa. A BVC is granted when you applied without a substantive visa - for instance because your previous one had already ended. Both keep you lawful while you wait, but a BVC can't be paired with a BVB for travel.

My visa expired and I didn't apply in time. What now?

Don't panic, and don't go quiet - that usually makes things harder. A Bridging Visa E may be able to make you lawful again so you can arrange your departure or lodge a further application. These situations are time-critical and the right move depends on your history, so the most useful thing is to get advice straight away. Call us today →

How long does a bridging visa last before my application is decided?

There is no set timeframe. A bridging visa stays in effect while your application is being decided, and decision times vary a lot depending on the visa type and how complex your case is. It does not expire on a fixed date the way most visas do - instead it generally ceases a set number of days after your application is finally decided, granted or refused. That is also the point at which any next-step deadline starts, so the wording in your grant letter matters and we can check it with you.

Can I change jobs while on a bridging visa?

It depends on the conditions on your specific grant. A Bridging Visa A often carries the same work rights as the visa you held before, which may or may not restrict who you work for. A Bridging Visa C can come with tighter limits or a no-work condition. If your previous visa tied you to a particular employer, those conditions may continue, so check before you resign or sign a new contract. We are happy to read your conditions with you first.

What happens if I leave Australia on a BVA?

Your Bridging Visa A ceases the moment you depart, because it has no travel facility. With it gone, you lose your lawful status here and your place in the queue for the application you lodged onshore, and you may be unable to return while it is still pending. This is exactly why the Bridging Visa B exists - it adds a travel window so you can leave and return without ending your bridging arrangement. Apply for the BVB and have it granted before you book or fly.

Is my partner included on my bridging visa?

Not automatically. A bridging visa generally attaches to the person whose application it supports, so your partner is not simply covered by yours. They usually need to be included as a dependant in the same application, or hold their own bridging visa tied to their own status. Getting this wrong can leave a family member unlawful without realising it, so it is worth confirming each person's status separately. If you are looking at a couples pathway, our partner visa guidance may help.

If my bridging visa is cancelled, can I get it back?

Usually not in the same form - a cancelled bridging visa is generally not simply reinstated. Depending on why it was cancelled, there may be a review or appeal window, but those windows are short and run from the date on your decision letter, so acting quickly matters. In the meantime you may need a Bridging Visa E to stay lawful while the situation is sorted out. Cancellation can also affect future applications, so get advice before you make any move. Contact us as soon as you can.

Is there a fee for a bridging visa?

It depends on the type of bridging visa and how it is granted - some attach automatically to the application you lodge, while others are applied for separately. Government charges and our professional fees depend on your circumstances, and we quote in writing before any work begins. You can read how we work in fees and how we quote. We would rather give you a clear written figure for your situation than a vague estimate that does not fit your case.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Need to travelVisitor Visa 600If you need to leave Australia during processing.Visa refusedVisa Refused - What NextAct before your bridging visa clock runs down.Employer optionSkills in Demand 482If employer sponsorship could replace the bridging period.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Not sure which bridging visa you hold or what it allows?

We check your VEVO record, confirm your conditions, and advise on what to do before you travel or change jobs.