Bridging visas are not something most people plan for, but a significant portion of people in Australia at any given time are on one. Understanding what you can and cannot do on a bridging visa is not optional if you are in this situation.
What Is a Bridging Visa?
A bridging visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia lawfully while a substantive visa application is being processed, or while you make arrangements to depart Australia. There are several types of bridging visas, each with different conditions.
The main types are:
- Bridging Visa A (BVA): Automatically granted when you lodge a valid substantive visa application onshore. It activates when your current substantive visa expires.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB): Allows you to travel outside Australia and return. Must be specifically applied for. Does not automatically come with your BVA.
- Bridging Visa C (BVC): Issued in some circumstances, generally with no work rights by default unless specifically granted.
- Bridging Visa E (BVE): For people who are unlawful non-citizens or are about to become one. Usually granted for a short period to allow the person to make arrangements to depart or regularise their status.
Work Rights on a Bridging Visa
The default work rights on a Bridging Visa A depend on the substantive visa you have applied for and your circumstances. For most substantive visa applications, a BVA grants work rights equivalent to those on the visa you held before it expired.
However, if you have never held a substantive visa in Australia, if you are in a specific visa category that does not carry work rights by default, or if your BVC has been issued without explicit work rights, you may not be able to work. Check your visa grant letter or your ImmiAccount account to confirm your conditions.
If you are working in Australia on a bridging visa and you are not sure whether you have work rights, get this checked now. Working without work rights is a visa condition breach.
Travel on a Bridging Visa
A common and costly mistake is leaving Australia on a Bridging Visa A. If you depart Australia on a BVA, your BVA ceases the moment you leave. It does not continue when you re-enter. Unless your substantive visa was granted before you left, you will not be able to return to Australia under your BVA.
If you need to travel while your substantive visa application is being processed, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B before you leave. A BVB allows you to leave and return within the period specified, while your substantive application continues to be processed.
Study Rights on a Bridging Visa
Many bridging visas allow study. Some do not, particularly BVEs. Again, check your specific conditions. If you are enrolled in a course and your visa situation has changed to a bridging visa, confirm your study rights are intact before continuing your enrolment.
What Happens When Your Substantive Visa Is Decided?
If your substantive visa is refused, your bridging visa typically remains active for a period to allow you to either lodge an AAT appeal (if applicable) or depart Australia. If you are unsure about your options after a refusal, a Migration Agent Brisbane can help you understand the next steps and review your available visa pathways.
Checking Your Conditions
Your current visa conditions are visible in your ImmiAccount. The VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) system also allows you to check your visa conditions. Employers and others can use VEVO with your permission to verify your work rights. If any of this feels unclear, the team at Migration Doctors Australia can walk you through your conditions and what they mean for your day-to-day plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Bridging Visa A last?
A BVA generally remains in effect until your substantive visa application is finally decided, including any review period. It does not have a set expiry date unrelated to the substantive application.
Can I apply for a Bridging Visa B after I have already left Australia?
No. A BVB must be applied for and granted before you leave Australia. Once you have departed on a BVA, there is no mechanism to have a BVB granted offshore.
What if I am on a bridging visa and my circumstances change, such as a new employer?
Most bridging visa conditions are set when the visa is granted and cannot be changed simply because your circumstances change. However, you may be able to request a variation in work conditions from the Department in limited circumstances. Get advice specific to your situation.