If your Australian visa expires while you're waiting for a new one to be processed, a bridging visa keeps you lawful. Here's everything you need to know about how they work.
What Is a Bridging Visa?
A bridging visa is a temporary visa that maintains your lawful status in Australia while your substantive visa application is being assessed. You cannot be "illegal" in Australia simply because your visa expired — as long as you have lodged a valid substantive visa application before your visa expires, a bridging visa is granted automatically.
Bridging visas are not something you apply for separately — they are triggered by the lodgement of a substantive application.
Types of Bridging Visas
Bridging Visa A (BVA)
The most common type
Granted when you lodge an onshore visa application while holding a substantive visa
Allows you to remain lawfully in Australia
Work rights depend on your previous substantive visa conditions
Does not automatically allow you to travel and return (see BVB)
Bridging Visa B (BVB)
Allows you to travel overseas and return to Australia while your application is being processed
You must apply for a BVB before you leave Australia — leaving on a BVA alone may invalidate it
Granted for a specific travel period (usually 3 months to 1 year)
Bridging Visa C (BVC)
Applies when you lodged an application but did not have a valid visa at the time
More restrictive — generally no work rights and limited travel
Bridging Visa E (BVE)
Issued to people who are technically unlawful but have a reason to remain temporarily (e.g. a pending Ministerial intervention request)
Very restricted conditions
Do I Have Work Rights on a Bridging Visa?
This depends on your previous visa:
If your substantive visa included work rights, your BVA typically carries those work rights over
If you had no work rights on your previous visa, you generally won't have them on your BVA
You can apply for work rights on a BVA in some circumstances
Can I Travel on a Bridging Visa?
On a BVA alone — no. If you leave Australia on a BVA without a BVB, your BVA ceases and you may not be able to return. Always apply for a Bridging Visa B before departing.
How Long Does a Bridging Visa Last?
A bridging visa remains valid until your substantive visa application is finally determined (either approved or refused). If refused, you typically have 28 days to depart or lodge a review.
Does Being on a Bridging Visa Affect My PR Application?
Generally no — being on a bridging visa while your 189, 190, or 186 application is processed is entirely normal and does not negatively affect the application itself.
If you are unsure of your bridging visa conditions or have left and re-entered Australia on a BVB, speak to a migration agent to confirm your status before taking further steps.