Bridging visas

A BVA allows you to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on your substantive visa application.

A BVA does not let you return to Australia if you leave. If you travel outside Australia, you need a visa to return. You can do one of the following:

• apply for and be granted a Bridging visa B (BVB) before you travel (if you do not have a substantive visa that allows you to travel or if your substantive visa will expire before you return)
• travel on your current substantive visa (if you have one that allows you to travel and enter Australia on your intended arrival date).

There is no charge for a BVA application. You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when the BVA application is both lodged and granted.

You should apply for your BVB no more than three months, and not less than two weeks, before the date on which you want to travel.

Once you have been granted a BVB, the specified travel period cannot be changed or extended.

A BVC allows you to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on your substantive visa application.

A BVC does not allow you to return to Australia if you leave.

You can only be granted a BVD (subclass 040) if all of the following apply to you:

• you are in Australia
• you do not hold a visa or you hold a visa that will end in the next three working days after the day you applied for the BVD
• you tried but were unable to apply for a substantive visa – for example, you did not pay the correct charge or you filled out the wrong visa application form – but you will be able to do so within the next five working days (you might then be eligible for a Bridging visa C (BVC).

You can only be granted a BVD (subclass 041) if all of the following apply to you:

This visa allows you to stay in Australia lawfully for a short time. It does not allow you to work or re-enter Australia if you leave.

If you work, your BVD might be cancelled.

There are two types of BVEs:

• Bridging (General) visa (subclass 050) – generally if you are currently unlawful, the holder of a BVE 050 or the holder of a BVD 041.
• Bridging (Protection Visa Applicant) visa (subclass 051) – used in limited circumstances for eligible non-citizens (as specified by the Regulations) who are not prevented from making a bridging visa application under the Migration Act or Regulations.

BVE will end immediately if you leave Australia. If you leave Australia, you will not be able to return unless have another substantive visa.