Bridging visas in Australia are temporary visas that “bridge” the gap between an ending visa and a new visa decision, allowing you to stay lawfully in Australia while your immigration status is resolved. They are commonly used by people who have applied for a new visa onshore (such as a Partner visa) and are waiting for a decision, ensuring they don’t become unlawful in the meantime. Bridging visas come in different subclasses (A, B, C, D, E, F, and R), each with specific purposes, conditions, and entitlements. Below we break down each type of bridging visa – what it’s for, who it applies to, and the key conditions like work rights, travel permissions, and Medicare eligibility for each.
What Is a Bridging Visa and When Do You Need One?
A bridging visa is not a substantive visa (i.e. not a long-term visa) – it’s a temporary status that keeps you legal in Australia while you’re in-between visas or awaiting an outcome on an application or appeal. You typically need a bridging visa when:
- You lodge an onshore visa application (e.g. a partner visa or skilled visa)while holding another visa – a bridging visa will maintain your lawful status until the new visa is granted (or refused).
- You become unlawful (your visa expired) and you have now applied for a visa or are making arrangements to depart Australia.
- You are appealing a visa refusal/cancellation or seeking Ministerial intervention – a bridging visa can keep you lawful during the review process.
- There are exceptional circumstances (e.g. you’re a victim of trafficking or in immigration detention pending removal) where a special bridging visa allows you to lawfully remain temporarily.
Bridging visas do not give you permanent residency or long-term rights – they purely allow a legal stay until your immigration matter is resolved. It’s crucial to understand the conditions on your bridging visa: some allow work, some don’t; only one (Bridging B) allows re-entry if you travel; and access to services like Medicare depends on what visa you’ve applied for or your situation. Below is an explanation of each bridging visa type in Australia, from A through R, including when you get it, what you can (and can’t) do on it, and how it affects things like work, travel, and healthcare.
Bridging Visa A (BVA – Subclass 010)
Purpose: Automatically granted when you apply for a new visa in Australia while holding a valid one. It activates once your current visa expires, keeping you lawful until a decision is made (including appeals). Common for onshore Partner (820/801)and skilled visas.
Work: Usually inherits your previous visa’s work rights. If your last visa had restrictions, they carry over. Partner visa applicants typically get full work rights. You can also apply to lift “no work” conditions if facing financial hardship.
Travel: No travel allowed. Leaving cancels the visa. Apply for a BVB if you need to go overseas. Medicare: If applying for a permanent visa (e.g. partner visa), you’re generally eligible for Medicare. Otherwise, access depends on your visa type or reciprocal agreements.
Bridging Visa B (BVB – Subclass 020)
Purpose: The only bridging visa with travel rights. Must be applied for (notautomatic) if you need to leave Australia temporarily while awaiting a visa decision.
Travel: Allows multiple entries within a set period (often 3 months). Must returnbefore it expires or the visa ceases.
Work: Inherits work rights from your BVA.
Medicare: Same entitlements as your BVA (usually available if you’ve applied forPR).
Note: There’s a fee (~$160–$190) and you must show a “substantial reason” fortravel.
Bridging Visa C (BVC – Subclass 030)
Purpose: For those applying for a new visa without holding a substantive visa (e.g. visa expired but you quickly lodged a new one).
Work: Default is “no work,” but you can request work rights if you can show financial hardship.
Travel: No travel permitted – leaving cancels the visa.
Medicare: Generally available if you’ve applied for a permanent visa or certain Protection visas. Otherwise, you’ll need private health cover.
Bridging Visa D (BVD – Subclass 040/041)
Purpose: Very short-term visa (5 working days) for people who are unlawful or about to be, to let them lodge a valid application or await assessment.
Work: No work allowed.Travel: No travel rights.
Medicare: Not eligible. It’s only a grace-period visa before moving onto another visa or departing.
Bridging Visa E (BVE – Subclass 050/051)
Purpose: For people unlawful or awaiting final outcomes (appeals, Ministerial requests, detention release, or voluntary departure).
Work: Usually “no work,” but can apply for work rights if facing financial hardship. Some asylum seekers may receive work rights by policy.
Travel: No travel allowed; leaving cancels the visa and may trigger bans.
Medicare: Usually not available, except for asylum seekers or those on a path to PR.
Bridging Visa F (BVF – Subclass 060)
Purpose: For suspected victims of human trafficking, identified by police. Granted for ~90 days to allow recovery and support.
Work: Not allowed, but financial assistance is provided.
Travel: No travel rights.
Medicare: Victims can access Medicare and full support services (housing,counselling, health care).
Bridging Visa R (BVR – Subclass 070)
Purpose: “Removal Pending” visa for people who cannot currently be deported (e.g. stateless, no travel documents). Granted by Ministerial invitation.
Work: Full work rights.
Travel: No re-entry if you depart – visa ceases.
Medicare: Eligible for Medicare as listed under ministerial orders.
Key Takeaways for Bridging Visa Holders
- Temporary only: Bridging visas keep you lawful while waiting for your mainvisa outcome. They end once a new visa is granted, refused, or you depart(often with a short grace period after refusal). Always track your mainapplication’s progress.
- Know your conditions:
- Work: Check if you have work rights. If not, don’t work until you’regranted permission (usually by proving financial hardship).
- Travel: Only Bridging Visa B allows re-entry. Leaving on A, C, D, E or Fcancels your visa.
- Obligations: Obey Australian law, update your address, and meet anyreporting duties.
- Healthcare: Most applicants for permanent visas (Partner, Child, Protection)can enrol in Medicare while on a bridging visa. If not eligible, arrange privatehealth cover.
- Expiry & next steps: Bridging visas usually end when your new visa isgranted, or 28 days after a refusal if you don’t appeal. Appeals often extend aBVA; otherwise, you may need a BVE.
- Partner visa applicants: Typically hold a BVA with full work rights andMedicare access. Don’t travel overseas without a BVB.
- Get advice: Bridging visas can be tricky (e.g., switching from BVA to BVE ifrefused). Use VEVO to check conditions, and seek professional help ifunsure, especially about work rights or travel.
In summary: Bridging visas let you remain lawfully in Australia during transitions,but they come with strict limits. Understand your conditions and plan carefully untilyour substantive visa is decided.
