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Bridging Visas Explained | Edvise Hub
Australian Immigration · Updated April 2026

Four Bridging Visas.
One wrong move
changes everything.

Most people don't know the difference between BVA, BVB, BVC and BVE until it's too late. This guide breaks down every right, restriction and risk — so you're never caught off guard.

BVA — Subclass 010 BVB — Subclass 020 BVC — Subclass 030 BVE — Subclass 050
Key facts ↓
BVA: Most common — automatic grant
BVB: Only one allowing travel
BVC: For unlawful applicants
BVE: Last resort — very limited rights
Reflects Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act — Royal Assent 13 March 2026
What is a Bridging Visa?

The gap between your visas has a name

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that keeps you lawful in Australia while you wait for an outcome on a new substantive visa application — or while you make arrangements to leave. Without one, you'd become an unlawful non-citizen the moment your current visa expires. Under Section 14 of the Migration Act, that can have serious consequences including immigration detention under Section 189.

⚖️
Legal Status
Bridging visas preserve your lawful status in Australia while your immigration matter resolves.
⏱️
Duration
No fixed expiry date. Active until your substantive visa is granted, refused, or you depart.
🔒
Conditions
Each type carries specific conditions. Work rights and travel rights vary significantly between subclasses.
📋
Check VEVO
Always verify your actual conditions on VEVO. Never assume — conditions vary case by case.
The Four Bridging Visas

Which one are you on?

Select a visa type below to explore its eligibility criteria, work rights, travel conditions, applicable visa conditions and common pitfalls.

BVA

Bridging Visa A

Subclass 010 · The most common bridging visa in Australia
⚡ Automatic Grant
What it is: The BVA is automatically granted when you lodge a valid application for a new substantive visa while you are lawfully in Australia (holding a valid substantive visa, a BVA or a BVB). It is a dormant visa — it does not activate until your current visa expires. Think of it as an insurance policy that kicks in automatically at the right moment.
📝
How You Get It
Automatically granted when you apply for a new substantive visa onshore while holding a valid visa.
⏳
Activation
Dormant until your current substantive visa expires — then it activates automatically.
⏱️
Duration
Until decision on your substantive application. No fixed expiry date.
💰
Application Fee
No separate fee — granted with your substantive visa application.
Rights & Conditions
  • ✓ Stay in Australia: Full lawful residence until a decision is made on your substantive application.
  • ~ Work rights: Generally mirrors the work conditions of your previous substantive visa. If your previous visa had no work limit, BVA typically has none. If it had a 48-hour/fortnight limit (e.g. student visa), that carries over. Always check VEVO.
  • ✗ Travel: Leaving Australia on a BVA causes it to cease. You cannot re-enter on a BVA. You must obtain a BVB before any international travel.
  • ✓ Medicare: Access to Medicare if your previous visa included Medicare eligibility (e.g. NZ citizens, certain bilateral agreements).
  • ✓ Study: Generally permitted, subject to any conditions on your visa record.

Common Visa Conditions Attached

8101 — No Work (if applicable) 8105 — Work limitations (if applicable) 8501 — Maintain health insurance (if applicable) 8503 — No Further Stay (rare) 8516 — Must not work in specified occupations
⚠️

Critical: If you depart Australia on a BVA without first obtaining a BVB, your BVA ceases and you will be unable to return to Australia on your pending visa application status. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes bridging visa holders make.

📅

Key date (July 2024 onwards): Student visa holders transitioning to BVA have had their fortnightly work hour limits restored to 48 hours per fortnight. Verify your specific conditions via VEVO as individual grants may differ.

BVB

Bridging Visa B

Subclass 020 · The only bridging visa that allows international travel
✈️ Travel Permitted
What it is: The BVB is the only bridging visa that allows you to leave Australia and return. It must be applied for separately — it is not granted automatically. You need to provide a reason for travel. It is available to BVA holders and substantive visa holders who have a pending substantive visa application. The travel window is specified at grant, typically 3–12 months.
✈️
How You Get It
Apply via ImmiAccount. Must already hold a BVA or substantive visa. Provide a reason for travel.
💰
Application Fee (2026)
AUD $190 (subject to change — verify on the Department's website).
📅
Travel Window
Typically 3 months; up to 12 months in exceptional circumstances. Specified at grant.
⏱️
Processing Time
Generally fast, but allow 4–8 weeks. Apply well before any planned departure.
Rights & Conditions
  • ✓ Travel & re-entry: You may depart and return to Australia within the specified travel facility window. Check whether single or multiple entry has been granted.
  • ~ Work rights: Same conditions as the underlying BVA. Your work rights do not change when you move from BVA to BVB.
  • ✓ Stay in Australia: Lawful status continues as with BVA while in Australia.
  • ✗ BVA extinguishment: When BVB is granted, your previous BVA is extinguished. You no longer hold both simultaneously.
  • ✗ Expiry while overseas: If your substantive visa application is decided (granted or refused) while you are outside Australia, your BVB may cease — potentially stranding you offshore.

Common Visa Conditions Attached

8101 — No Work (if applicable) 8501 — Maintain health insurance (if applicable) Specified travel dates at grant 8540 — Specified travel purpose
⚠️

Critical: Check your VEVO status 48 hours before you return to Australia to confirm your BVB is still valid. If the BVB expires or a decision on your substantive application is made while you are offshore, you may lose your right to return on this visa.

📋

Note (2026): The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act introduced ministerial powers to temporarily cease visas for certain temporary visa holders outside Australia. However, bridging visas linked to protection visa applications are explicitly exempt from these arrival control determinations.

BVC

Bridging Visa C

Subclass 030 · For those who applied after their visa had already expired
⚠️ Restricted Rights
What it is: The BVC is granted when you apply for a new substantive visa while you are unlawful — that is, your previous visa had already expired before you lodged the new application. This is a fundamentally weaker position than a BVA. The BVC carries significantly more restricted conditions, particularly around work rights and travel.
⚠️
How You Get It
Granted when you lodge a substantive visa application after your previous visa expired (i.e., while unlawful).
🚫
Travel
No travel permitted. Departing Australia causes the BVC to cease immediately.
💼
Work Rights
No automatic work rights. Condition 8101 (No Work) typically applied. Must apply separately with financial hardship evidence.
⏱️
Duration
Until decision on substantive application. No fixed date.
Rights & Conditions
  • ✓ Lawful status: Despite the unlawful gap, the BVC restores your lawful status from the date of grant.
  • ✗ Work rights: Condition 8101 (No Work) is usually attached. You must apply for a separate bridging visa requesting work rights and provide documentary evidence of financial hardship (e.g. bank statements, rent/living expenses, dependants).
  • ✗ Travel: No international travel permitted. Departure from Australia causes the BVC to cease.
  • ~ Schedule 3 implications: Having been unlawful may trigger Schedule 3 criteria for your substantive visa application, which adds significant complexity. Always get expert migration advice.
  • ✓ Access to services: Limited access to some government services depending on circumstances.

Common Visa Conditions Attached

8101 — No Work 8201 — Maximum work hours (if work granted) 8503 — No Further Stay (in some cases) 8516 — Must not work in specified occupations
🔴

Important: The BVC reflects a period of unlawful status. This can impact your future visa applications — some visa subclasses have strict requirements about unlawful time spent in Australia. Get advice from a registered migration agent (MARA) immediately if you find yourself in this situation.

💡

Prevention is always better: It is far better to apply for your next substantive visa before your current visa expires (resulting in a BVA) than to let it expire and receive a BVC. Always allow a buffer of 2–3 months.

BVE

Bridging Visa E

Subclass 050 · The visa of last resort
🆘 Last Resort
What it is: The BVE is granted in circumstances where someone has no other lawful basis to remain in Australia and needs to either make arrangements to depart, lodge a substantive application, resolve their immigration status, or is released from immigration detention. It is the most restricted of all bridging visas. The BVE may also be granted where a person holds a BVC and needs access to work rights that the BVC does not provide.
🆘
Who Gets It
Unlawful non-citizens, those released from detention, or those needing to resolve status or depart.
📅
Duration
Very short — often only 5 working days, intended to allow departure or lodgement of a substantive application.
🚫
Travel
No travel. Departure from Australia causes the BVE to cease immediately.
💼
Work Rights
No automatic work rights. Must apply separately and demonstrate financial hardship. Form 1005 required.
Rights & Conditions
  • ✓ Lawful status: Restores lawful status while the person resolves their immigration situation or departs.
  • ✗ Work rights: Condition 8101 (No Work) standard. To request work rights, lodge Form 1005 with documented evidence of financial hardship.
  • ✗ Travel: No international travel permitted under any circumstances on a BVE.
  • ~ Section 195A exemption (October 2025 update): BVE holders granted under Section 195A (released from immigration detention) are explicitly exempt from Conditions 8101 and 8116 under LIN 25/091. Their right to work is now legislatively confirmed.
  • ~ Reporting conditions: May be subject to mandatory reporting conditions — required to report to the Department of Home Affairs at specified intervals.

Common Visa Conditions Attached

8101 — No Work 8303 — No criminal conduct 8513 — Report to DHA (in some cases) 8564 — No further stay (in some cases) 8543 — Specified activities only
🔴

If you are on a BVE: This is a critical immigration situation requiring immediate professional advice. The BVE is typically very short and carries significant restrictions. Contact a registered migration agent (MARA) or immigration lawyer urgently to understand your options and next steps.

📋

35-Day Rule: When a substantive visa application is refused, a bridging visa (or the right to apply for a BVE) may be available for 35 days from the date of the decision, during which you can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) or make departure arrangements.

Side by Side

BVA vs BVB vs BVC vs BVE — at a glance

Use this table as a quick reference. Remember: always verify your specific conditions on VEVO, as individual grants may vary.

Feature BVA BVB BVC BVE
Subclass Number 010 020 030 050
How Granted Automatic (lodgement trigger) Must apply — not automatic Granted when applying while unlawful Ministerial/DHA discretion or application
Visa Status at Lodgement Lawful (valid visa held) Holds BVA or substantive visa Unlawful (visa already expired) Unlawful or in detention
Travel Overseas ✗ Not permitted ✓ Permitted (within travel window) ✗ Not permitted ✗ Not permitted
Work Rights Mirrors prior visa conditions Same as underlying BVA Usually No Work (8101 applied) Usually No Work (8101 applied)
Apply for Work Rights Via variation if 8101 attached Via variation if 8101 attached Yes — financial hardship grounds Yes — financial hardship grounds
Application Fee No separate fee ~AUD $190 No separate fee Generally no fee
Medicare Access Depends on prior visa Depends on prior visa Generally limited Very limited
Duration Until substantive decision Specified travel window (3–12 mo) Until substantive decision Often 5 working days — very short
Typical User Student → Graduate, visa renewal applicants BVA holder needing to travel Overstayers who then apply Unlawful, post-detention, or refusal period
Risk Level 🟢 Low 🟡 Moderate (if BVB expires offshore) 🔴 High (prior unlawful status) 🔴 Very High — get advice now
Decision Guide

Which bridging visa applies to you?

Your situation determines which bridging visa you'll receive or need to apply for. Here are the most common scenarios.

You Need BVA If...
You're applying for a new visa while your current visa is still valid
The BVA is granted automatically alongside your substantive application. You don't need to do anything extra — it kicks in the moment your current visa expires.
→
You Need BVB If...
You're on a BVA and need to travel overseas before your substantive visa is decided
Apply for a BVB via ImmiAccount before you depart. Provide your reason for travel. Allow 4–8 weeks processing time. Do NOT leave without it — your BVA will cease.
→
You'll Receive BVC If...
You let your visa expire before lodging your next application
If you were unlawful when you applied, the Department will issue a BVC instead of a BVA. You'll face restricted work rights and no travel. Get migration advice urgently.
→
You May Need BVE If...
Your visa was refused, you're making arrangements to depart, or you've been released from detention
The BVE is a last resort. It gives you a very short window to lodge an appeal, a new application, or make departure arrangements. Seek legal advice immediately.
→
Avoid These Errors

5 mistakes that can cost you your visa

These are the most common — and costly — mistakes we see bridging visa holders make. Don't become a cautionary tale.

01

Leaving Australia on a BVA without a BVB

The moment you board a plane on a BVA, that visa ceases. You cannot return to Australia on your pending application status. You must apply for and receive a BVB before any travel. This is perhaps the most common and devastating mistake bridging visa holders make.

02

Letting your visa expire before applying for the next one

If your substantive visa expires before you lodge your new application, you become unlawful and will receive a BVC instead of a BVA. This means restricted work rights, no travel, potential Schedule 3 implications, and a more complex path ahead. Always apply 2–3 months before expiry.

03

Assuming you can work without checking VEVO

Work rights on a bridging visa are not always obvious. Your work entitlement depends on what was on your previous substantive visa, how your bridging visa was granted, and whether Condition 8101 was applied. Always verify on VEVO — never assume. Working without entitlement is a breach that can affect future visa applications.

04

Not checking your BVB travel window before departing or returning

If your BVB expires while you are offshore, you lose your right to return on that visa. Check your VEVO status 48 hours before any return to Australia. If a decision is made on your substantive application while you're abroad, your BVB may cease.

05

Not seeking advice early enough after a visa refusal

If your substantive visa is refused, you typically have 35 days during which a bridging visa (or the right to apply for a BVE) may be available. Appeal periods are short. Act immediately — contact a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer the day you receive a refusal notice.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often.

It is possible to hold multiple bridging visas simultaneously, though they operate in specific ways. When a BVB is granted, it extinguishes the BVA. Generally, only one bridging visa is operative at a time. However, there are circumstances — such as lodging a further visa application — where a new BVA may be granted while you already hold a bridging visa. Always check VEVO to understand which visa is current and active.
Yes — the BVA is a dormant visa that activates automatically the moment your substantive visa expires. You do not need to do anything. Until that moment, you remain on your substantive visa. The BVA simply waits in reserve until it is needed.
Your bridging visa typically does not immediately cease on a refusal — you usually have a period (often 35 days) to appeal the decision at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) or make arrangements to depart. During this period you may be eligible to apply for a BVE. Do not wait — appeal periods are strict and missing them has serious consequences. Seek advice from a registered migration agent immediately.
Generally yes, but eligibility depends on your bridging visa type and your most recent substantive visa. Some visas impose Condition 8503 (No Further Stay), which means you cannot apply for most further visas from within Australia. If you have been unlawful, Schedule 3 criteria may also apply. Complex cases — particularly those involving previous refusals or extended unlawful time — require professional migration advice.
It depends on what your bridging visa conditions say. If Condition 8501 (Maintain adequate health insurance) is attached to your bridging visa — which is common for pathways from student visas or certain skilled visa pathways — you must maintain valid OSHC or OVHC coverage throughout your bridging visa period. Check your visa grant notification letter and VEVO to confirm whether 8501 applies to you.
The best way is to check your VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) record at border.gov.au/vevo. VEVO shows your current visa, all attached conditions, and entitlements in real time. You can also refer to your visa grant notification letter. If you are unsure about what any condition means in practice, speak with a registered migration agent (MARA) or immigration lawyer.
The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act, which received Royal Assent on 13 March 2026, introduced new ministerial powers to temporarily cease the visas of certain temporary visa holders outside Australia. The first determination affected Iranian Subclass 600 (Visitor) holders. Importantly, persons holding bridging visas linked to a protection visa application are explicitly exempt from these arrival control determinations. If you are advising clients with pending protection applications who are outside Australia, this exemption is significant to their re-entry rights.
People. Not Paper.

Not sure which bridging visa applies to you?

Every situation is different. A few minutes with a registered migration agent can save months of complications. Get clear, personalised advice today.

Book a Consultation ↗
Fahad | MARN: 2619225 · QEAC: G12906 · Edvise Hub, Melbourne
This content is general information only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Always seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer for your specific circumstances. Information current as at April 2026.
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