Life in Australia Guide

A Bridging Visa is not, in itself, a visa for settling in Australia. It acts as a temporary bridge that lets you stay in Australia lawfully during the 'in-between period' when your existing (substantive) visa is ending but the result of a new visa application or review has not yet come through.

• Example: if you apply for a new visa onshore (within Australia) before your student visa expires, a bridging visa keeps your stay lawful until the result comes through.
• The types are commonly divided into the four — A·B·C·E — which in English are Bridging Visa A/B/C/E, and by subclass number are 010 / 020 / 030 / 050.
• Which bridging visa you receive is not something you choose; it is determined automatically by your immigration status at the time you applied for the new visa (whether you were lawful, already unlawful, and so on).

The key point is that the right to work and the ability to travel overseas differ by type. Leaving the country without knowing this difference, and then being unable to return to Australia, is the most common mishap.

• If you absolutely must travel overseas, you must first apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before you leave (see point 5 below).
• Even in urgent situations such as a family emergency, if you leave without a BVB there is effectively no remedy.
• Check exactly which travel and work conditions are attached to your visa via VEVO, or contact the Department of Home Affairs (131 881).
• If the decision is difficult, it is safer to consult a registered migration agent before booking your departure.

• BVA (010): if your previous visa had work rights, the same conditions often carry over. However, this is not automatically guaranteed and is decided case by case.
• BVC (030) and some BVE (050): by default you often cannot work (8101 — no work). To work, you must apply separately for work conditions by proving financial hardship or similar.
• Always check on VEVO whether your visa has condition 8101 (no work) or 8104/8105 (limited hours) attached.
• Working without work rights can harm your visa and future applications. If in doubt, it is safer to check before you start working.

For reference, regardless of whether you have work rights, once you do work, Australia's labour protections for wages and conditions apply to you the same way (see the 'reporting workplace problems' guide in point 8 below).

If you need to travel overseas while holding a BVA, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB · subclass 020) before you leave.

• A BVB lets you leave Australia and re-enter within a set 'travel period'.
• When applying you submit your reason for travel and itinerary, and the Department sets the allowed period. Be sure to check the travel period stated in your notice.
• There is an application fee (the amount changes, so check the official site). Processing takes time, so it is best to apply with plenty of time before your departure.
• BVC and BVE holders cannot switch to a BVB to travel.

If your visa has expired and you have not lodged a new application, becoming an unlawful non-citizen, it is important not to leave it as is and to take action as soon as possible. The visa granted in this situation is the Bridging Visa E (BVE · subclass 050).

• A BVE restores lawful status while you sort out your situation — applying for a new visa, seeking review, requesting ministerial intervention, or preparing to depart voluntarily.
• The application fee is free. However, conditions such as regular reporting or work restrictions are often attached.
• Overseas travel is not allowed, and the visa ceases if you leave.
• A long period of unlawful stay can lead to disadvantages for future visas and re-entry (for example, an entry ban for a set period), so do not leave it unattended — we recommend consulting a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer. Some areas also have free legal help (community legal centres).