Bridging Visas in Australia Explained (BVA, BVB, BVC, BVE)

What a bridging visa is for

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that keeps you lawfully in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs decides a substantive visa application (or while you resolve your immigration status). It is a common situation for onshore international students — for example, if you apply for a new student visa, a Temporary Graduate visa, or a skilled visa before your current visa expires, a bridging visa 'bridges' the gap until a decision is made.

This is general information, not immigration advice. The rights attached to a bridging visa depend on which one you hold and the conditions on it. Always check your grant notice for your exact conditions, and verify the current rules on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. For your individual situation, a registered migration agent can advise.

Substantive visa vs bridging visa

It helps to understand two terms. A substantive visa is a 'real' visa you hold in your own right — a student visa, a graduate visa, a skilled visa, and so on. A bridging visa is not a substantive visa; it exists only to keep you lawful in connection with an application or status matter.

Crucially, a bridging visa usually comes into effect only when your substantive visa ends. While your current substantive visa is still valid, you generally travel and work under it — the bridging visa 'activates' once the substantive visa ceases. Which bridging visa you are granted depends on whether you applied while still holding a substantive visa or after it had ended.

Bridging Visa A (BVA)

Bridging Visa A is the most common one for students who do the right thing and apply for their next visa before the current one expires. It is generally granted automatically when you lodge an eligible onshore application while you still hold a substantive visa.

A BVA typically carries work rights that follow your circumstances, but a key limitation is travel: a BVA does not let you leave and return to Australia. If you depart while on a BVA, it ceases and you cannot use it to come back — you would need a Bridging Visa B first (see below). Your exact work conditions are shown on your grant notice.

• Usually granted automatically when you apply before your current visa expires
• Comes into effect when your substantive visa ends
• Does NOT allow travel out of and back into Australia
• Work rights follow your conditions — check your grant notice

Bridging Visa B (BVB) — the one that lets you travel

Bridging Visa B is the bridging visa that permits international travel and re-entry while your substantive application is still being decided. You must apply for it and give a reason for needing to travel (for example, a family matter or work-related travel), and it is granted for a specified travel period.

If you are on a BVA and need to leave Australia temporarily without abandoning your pending application, a BVB is generally the correct step to take before you depart. Apply in good time, because you must be granted the BVB before you leave.

• The only common bridging visa that allows travel and re-entry
• Must be applied for, with a stated travel need
• Granted for a set travel period
• Apply and be granted it before you leave Australia

Bridging Visa C (BVC) and Bridging Visa E (BVE)

Bridging Visa C generally applies where you lodged an onshore substantive application but did not hold a substantive visa at the time (for example, if your previous visa had already ended). A BVC does not permit travel, and work rights are not automatic — they depend on the visa class you applied for and your circumstances.

Bridging Visa E applies to people who need a short-term lawful basis to remain — for instance, to make arrangements to depart, to finalise a status matter, or after release from immigration detention. Like the BVC, a BVE does not allow travel and does not automatically carry work rights. Both are more restrictive than a BVA/BVB, which is one practical reason to always apply for your next visa before your current one expires.

• BVC: applied after your substantive visa had ended — no travel; work not automatic
• BVE: a short-term lawful basis to remain or arrange departure — no travel; work not automatic
• Both are more restrictive than a BVA/BVB

Practical tips and where to verify

The single most useful habit is to lodge your next application before your current visa expires — that generally puts you on the more favourable Bridging Visa A rather than a BVC or BVE. Keep track of your visa expiry, plan any overseas travel around a BVB, and always read your grant notice for your specific work and study conditions.

Bridging visa rules and conditions change, so confirm the current position on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you act, and seek advice from a registered migration agent for anything specific to your case.