Explore 5 Types of Australian Bridging Visa: Bridging Visas (BV)

As you Australian immigration laws and regulations are stringent and require all visa applicants/holders to follow them. Bridging visas play an important role in this system, as they allow individuals to stay in Australia lawfully while their current visa has expired.

 

Bridging visas also allow non-citizens to remain in Australia lawfully when their substantive visa applications are being processed.

 

These visas play a role in bridging the gap between an expiring visa and the final decision of your new visa application.

 

Do you want to know more about a bridging visa? Yes, this guide is for you.

 

Let’s get started!

These Australian visas have many uses. The most well-known aspect of this visa is that it helps you to legally stay in Australia with this temporary visa while you wait for your substantive visa to be processed.

 

What are Bridging Visas?

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that allows you to continue staying in Australia when your substantive visa application is being processed. These visas help you maintain your legal status and may allow you to work or study depending on the type of bridging visa.

 

Why Do You Need a Bridging Visa?

This visa was issued for a variety of reasons:

• If your original visa has expired.
• Your substantive visa has yet to be approved.
• When a court decides on your visa appeal.
• The Administrative Appeals Tribunal will decide whether your visa should be refused or canceled.
• Waiting for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.

 

What are 5 Types of Bridging Visas?

Bridging visas  are divided into different types, each serving a different purpose based on the  circumstances of the applicants. Overall, the Australian Immigration Department offers different types of bridging visas, but we will discuss the main types of bridging visas in Australia such as:

1. Bridging Visa A (BVA)—Subclass 010
2. Bridging Visa B (BVB)—Subclass 020
3. Bridging Visa C (BVC)—Subclass 030
4. Bridging Visa D (BVD)—Subclass 041 & 042
5. Bridging Visa E (BVE)—Subclass 050 & 051

 

Bridging Visa A (BVA): Subclass 010

Bridging visa A BVA is a temporary visa offered to those on a substantive Australian visa who lodge another substantive visa application. 

This type of bridging visa is designed for individuals who apply for a new substantive visa while holding a valid visa. It allows them to stay in Australia while their new substantive visa application is processed.  If your substantive visa has expired and your application for another visa is still pending, you can extend your stay in Australia using a visa BVA.

Note: Your current substantive visa will expire when you leave Australia after completing a substantive visa application.

 

Conditions That May Apply on BVA Visa

Travel Rights

• You cannot reenter Australia after leaving on this visa. It can’t allow you to legally leave the country.
• In this case, you must apply for reinstatement of your BVA when you return to Australia. It is illegal to remain without a BVA if your visa expires before reinstatement.

 

Work Rights

• This visa only grants the right to work if the individual applies to the department for a different BVA visa without work restrictions.
• An employer who nominates you or sponsors you for a substantive visa automatically grants you work rights.
• If you are applying for an onshore partner visa (SC 820), you can also work legally while your application is being processed.

Eligibility Requirements of Bridging Visa A (BVA)

 

• You must have previously held a substantive visa.
• You must be present in Australia.
• You ought to apply for a substantive visa, or your application should be in judicial review.

 

Bridging Visa B (BVB): Subclass 020

Bridging visa B is designated for people during a predetermined travel period. This type of visa allows them who want to leave and re-enter Australia while their prospective visa application is being processed.

 

The following are some crucial details to remember when dealing with a BVB:

• It is generally a three-month visa, which means you must return home within three months of receiving the visa.
• BVB applications must be submitted at least 2-3 weeks before travel due to the three-month time limit.
• The department will review your visa application. To help them, fill out a short form and send it in. You can have both a BVA and a BVB simultaneously.

Eligibility Requirement for Bridging Visa B (BVB)

 

• You must hold a substantive visa.
• You should hold a bridging visa A or bridging visa B.
• You are required to apply for a temporary visa or judicial review.

 

 

Bridging Visa C (BVC): Subclass 030

A bridging visa C subclass 030 is a temporary visa that is granted to those individuals whose application is lodged in Australia for a new substantive visa. This visa allows you to continue living in Australia lawfully while your new substantive visa application is being processed.

 

Bridging visa C only allows you to re-enter back to Australia after you leave Australia. It only lets you lawfully remain in Australia until your new visa is granted based on your substantive visa application.

 

To apply for permanent residency in Australia, non-citizens must obtain a Visa C (BVC). A person who wants to stay lawful in Australia may be eligible for this option.

Conditions That May Apply On BVC Visa

Travel Rights

• If you leave Australia on this visa, you cannot return because you have no travel rights.
• The department will inform you if you are eligible for an automatic BVC when applying for a substantive visa in Australia.

Work Rights

• Unless you are applying for a Skill Select visa, a BVC awarded as part of the substantive visa procedure will not allow you to work.

 

Eligibility Requirements for Bridging Visa C BVC

 

• You must not currently hold a BVE and must not have held a BVE since you were holding a substantiative visa.
• You must not hold a substantive visa before applying. 
• You must have applied for a substantial visa.
• You must be a non-citizen.

 

Bridge Visa Type D (BVD): Subclass 040 & 041

Bridging Visa D is a temporary visa that allows you to remain in Australia temporarily until your prospective visa application is processed successfully or BVE is granted to you.  This visa only allows you to stay for a limited time. BVD is further divided into two types: 

• Bridging (Prospective Applicant) visa (subclass 040)
• Bridging (Non-applicant) visa (subclass 041)

 

If your leading visa has expired, you can extend your stay in Australia with this visa for a limited time (BVD). You may apply for a permanent visa and make travel plans out of Australia. In the case of a BVD, you are not allowed to work in Australia or return if you leave the country.

 

Conditions That May Apply on BVD Visa

Time Limits

• BVD Visa will expire five days after it is granted. It’s been five days since your valid visa expired.
• You have five days to submit a valid application or leave Australia.

Travel Rights

• You can’t go to Australia because this visa prevents you from returning.

Work Rights

• Work rights are not included in this visa, and your BVD may be revoked if you work.

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

• You must be physically present in Australia.
• You must not hold a current visa.
• You must be unable or unwilling to apply for your new substantive visa.

 

Bridging Visa E (BVE)

Bridging Visa E is a temporary visa that is designated for individuals who are un-lawful non-citizens and want to remain in Australia lawfully, as well as make preparations to leave the country. It is granted when staying in Australia while making a substantive visa application, waiting for a decision on an appeal, or waiting for a visa through ministerial intervention.

A Bridging Visa E is also granted to  those people who are seeking protection visas to Australia. After your valid substantive visa expires, you may apply for a Visa E (BVE) to remain legally in Australia while awaiting an immigration decision.

In addition, it allows you to finalize your immigration concerns or prepare for your departure.

 

Conditions That May Apply on BVE Visa:

Travel Rights

• You can only return to Australia if you obtain another substantive visa once you leave.

Work Rights

• You will learn this in your grant letter if you are allowed to work.
• Working in a prohibited area could lead to the department detaining you and revoking your BVE.

 

What to do Next!

If you plan to stay in Australia for an extended period, it is essential to obtain a visa before leaving the country. If granted permission to reside in Australia, you must comply with all regulations and restrictions in your grant letter.

 

It is also essential to note that if you violate any of the conditions of your visa, including working without permission or overstaying your visa, Australia may expel you from the country. Therefore, you must understand and abide by all visa requirements and regulations in Australia.

You can contact our Migration Team for more information or to apply for a visa.

 

 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Related to Bridging Visa

Q1: Can I apply for a bridging visa if I am on a criminal justice visa?
A1: In most cases, if you are on a criminal justice visa, you may not be eligible for a bridging visa. Criminal justice visas are designed for individuals involved in immigration detention due to criminal charges, and the transition to a bridging visa may not be applicable.

 

Q2: Can I apply for a bridging visa if I have a no further stay condition on my visa?
A2: If your current visa has a “No Further Stay” condition, you may be restricted from applying for a bridging visa. The conditions of your current visa would need to be assessed to determine your eligibility for a bridging visa.

 

Q3: Can I withdraw my bridging visa application?
A3: It is possible to withdraw a bridging visa application. However, the process and implications of withdrawal can vary. Consulting with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent is advisable before making a decision.

 

Q4: Can I work for any employer on a bridging visa?
A4: Generally, bridging visas come with work rights that allow you to work for any employer in Australia. However, there can be exceptions and conditions depending on the type of bridging visa you hold, so it is essential to review the details of your specific visa.