Updated April 2026 15 min read

Bridging Visas in Australia: What Happens While You Wait (Complete Guide)

If you've applied for a visa in Australia and your current visa is about to expire, you'll likely be placed on a bridging visa while you wait. But what does that actually mean? Can you work? Can you travel? Can you access Medicare? This guide explains everything about Australia's five types of bridging visas and what you can and can't do on each one.

What Is a Bridging Visa?

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia lawfully while you wait for a decision on your substantive visa application. It "bridges" the gap between your current visa expiring and your new visa being granted (or refused).

Bridging visas are not visas you apply for in the traditional sense — in most cases, they are automatically granted when you lodge a visa application while you are in Australia on another visa. They don't have a fixed end date. Instead, they remain in effect until your visa application is decided or certain other events occur.

There are five types of bridging visas in Australia, labelled A through E. The type you receive depends on your circumstances, your current visa, and the visa you've applied for.

Types of Bridging Visas Explained

Bridging Visa A (BVA) — Subclass 010

The BVA is the most common bridging visa. It is automatically granted when you lodge a valid visa application while you hold a substantive visa (or another BVA) in Australia. Key features:

• Comes into effect when your current substantive visa expires
• Does not allow travel — if you leave Australia, the BVA ceases
• Work rights depend on the conditions of your previous visa
• No cost — it is automatically granted
• Remains in effect until your visa application is decided

Bridging Visa B (BVB) — Subclass 020

The BVB is essentially a BVA with travel rights. You must apply (and pay) for a BVB if you need to travel overseas while waiting for your visa decision. Key features:

• Allows you to leave and return to Australia within a specified travel period (usually 3-6 months)
• You must apply before you leave Australia — you cannot apply for a BVB from overseas
• Costs approximately $165 (as of 2025-26)
• You must already hold a BVA to be eligible
• If you don't return within the specified travel period, the BVB ceases and you may not be able to return to Australia

Bridging Visa C (BVC) — Subclass 030

The BVC is granted when you lodge a visa application while you are unlawful in Australia (i.e., your previous visa has already expired and you don't hold any visa). Key features:

• Keeps you lawful while your new visa application is processed
• Does not allow travel — same as BVA
• Work rights may be more restricted than a BVA
• Does not come with work permission automatically — you may need to apply separately for work rights
• Cannot be used to apply for a BVB (travel is generally not permitted)

Bridging Visa D (BVD) — Subclass 040/041

The BVD is a very short-term visa (usually 5 business days) granted in limited circumstances to give someone time to:

• Make arrangements to leave Australia, or
• Lodge a substantive visa application (which would then trigger a BVA or BVC)

BVDs are relatively uncommon and are usually granted at airports or by immigration officers. They do not have work rights.

Bridging Visa E (BVE) — Subclass 050/051

The BVE is granted to people who are unlawful in Australia and are making arrangements to depart, or who are cooperating with immigration authorities. Key features:

• Typically grants a short period of lawful status
• Usually does not have work rights
• Does not allow travel and return
• Often granted to people in immigration detention or those who have had visa applications refused and are making departure arrangements

Work Rights on Bridging Visas

Work rights are one of the biggest concerns for bridging visa holders. Here's how they work:

If your BVA does not have work rights and you need to work, you can apply to the Department of Home Affairs to have condition 8101 waived. You'll need to demonstrate financial hardship — that is, you cannot support yourself without working. This is processed on a case-by-case basis and can take several weeks.

Travel Rights: BVA vs BVB

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of bridging visas, and getting it wrong can have devastating consequences:

How to Apply for a Bridging Visa B

1. You must currently hold a BVA (or in some cases a BVB that is about to expire)
2. Apply online through ImmiAccount or by lodging form 1005
3. Provide evidence of your need to travel (family emergency, work commitment, etc.)
4. Pay the application fee (~$165)
5. Wait for the decision — usually processed within a few days to a couple of weeks
6. Once granted, you have a specified travel window (usually 3-6 months) to depart and return

Medicare on a Bridging Visa

Medicare eligibility on a bridging visa depends on what visa you've applied for and your country of origin:

Partner Visa Applicants (820/309)

If you've applied for a partner visa and hold a bridging visa, you are generally eligible for Medicare. This applies regardless of your home country. You need to visit a Medicare office with your bridging visa grant letter and partner visa application acknowledgement to enrol.

Permanent Visa Applicants from RHCA Countries

If you've applied for any permanent visa and you're from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia, you may be eligible for Medicare. RHCA countries include: United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia and Norway.

Other Bridging Visa Holders

If you don't fall into the above categories, you are generally not eligible for Medicare while on a bridging visa. In this case, you should consider private health insurance to cover medical costs. Basic hospital cover from providers like Bupa, Medibank or AHM costs approximately $100-$200 per month.

Centrelink on a Bridging Visa

Most bridging visa holders are not eligible for Centrelink income support payments. However, there are limited exceptions:

Special Benefit

If you are on a bridging visa waiting for a partner visa (820/309) decision and are experiencing severe financial hardship, you may be eligible for Special Benefit through Centrelink. This is a payment of last resort — you must demonstrate that you cannot support yourself and have no other means of income or support. The payment amount is similar to JobSeeker (approximately $750 per fortnight for a single person).

Family Tax Benefit

Some bridging visa holders waiting for a partner visa may be eligible for Family Tax Benefit if they have children. This depends on meeting the residence requirements and the specifics of your situation.

Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS)

People on bridging visas waiting for protection visa decisions may access support through the SRSS program, which provides basic income support, housing assistance and casework support. This is administered through contracted service providers, not directly through Centrelink.

Common Bridging Visa Scenarios

Scenario 1: Partner Visa Bridge (Subclass 820)

This is one of the most common bridging visa scenarios in Australia. Here's what typically happens:

1. You're in Australia on a substantive visa (e.g., student visa, working holiday, tourist visa)
2. You apply for a partner visa (subclass 820) while onshore
3. A BVA is automatically granted at the time of application
4. Your BVA comes into effect when your current visa expires
5. You can work (if your previous visa had work rights) and access Medicare
6. Processing time for partner visas is currently 18-30+ months — see our Partner Visa Processing Times guide
7. If you need to travel during this time, apply for a BVB before you leave
8. When your 820 visa is granted, the bridging visa ceases automatically

Scenario 2: Skilled Visa Bridge (Subclass 189/190)

If you're in Australia on a temporary skilled visa (482) or graduate visa (485) and apply for permanent skilled migration (189 or 190):

1. A BVA is automatically granted when you lodge the application
2. Your 482 or 485 visa continues until it expires — the BVA doesn't take effect until then
3. Work rights continue on the BVA (since your substantive visa had work rights)
4. Processing times for skilled visas vary — check the Visa Pathway tool for estimates

Scenario 3: Student to Skilled Worker

A common pathway: you finish your studies, apply for a 485 Graduate visa, and hold a BVA while it's processed:

1. Your student visa (500) is about to expire
2. You apply for a 485 Graduate visa
3. A BVA is granted — you can usually work full-time (unlike the student visa which has hour restrictions)
4. Once the 485 is granted, you move onto that visa

Scenario 4: Protection Visa Application

If you're seeking protection (asylum) in Australia:

• You are granted a BVA or BVE depending on your circumstances
• Processing times can be very long (sometimes years)
• Work rights may or may not be granted — often require a separate application
• May be eligible for SRSS support
• Medicare access depends on your specific circumstances

What Happens If Your Visa Application Is Refused

If the Department of Home Affairs refuses your visa application, your bridging visa doesn't end immediately. Here's what happens:

1. 35-day grace period: Your BVA typically remains valid for 35 days after the refusal decision. This gives you time to decide your next steps
2. Option 1 — Leave Australia: You can leave voluntarily within the 35-day period
3. Option 2 — Appeal to the AAT: You can lodge an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). If you lodge within the required timeframe (usually 21 or 28 days depending on the visa type), you will generally be granted a new bridging visa that keeps you lawful while the appeal is decided. The AAT appeal fee is approximately $3,374 (refundable if you win)
4. Option 3 — Apply for a different visa: In some cases, you may be able to apply for a different type of visa, which would trigger a new bridging visa

Important Tips for Bridging Visa Holders

1. Always check your visa conditions — Use VEVO to check your visa status and conditions. Don't assume — verify
2. Never travel without a BVB — This is the single biggest mistake bridging visa holders make. If you leave on a BVA, it is cancelled and you may not be able to return
3. Keep your address updated — You must notify the Department of Home Affairs of any change of address within 28 days. They send important correspondence (including visa decisions) to your registered address
4. Respond to all Department requests promptly — If the Department asks for additional documents or information, respond by the deadline. Failing to respond can result in your application being refused
5. Keep copies of everything — Save your visa grant letters, transaction receipts, and all correspondence with the Department
6. Get immigration advice — If your situation is complex, consult a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer. You can find registered agents on the MARA website
7. Check your visa cost entitlements — Use the Visa Cost Calculator to understand the fees for your substantive visa application and any BVB applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work on a Bridging Visa A (BVA)?

It depends on the conditions of your BVA. If your last substantive visa had work rights, your BVA will usually also have work rights (condition 8101 NOT imposed). If your last visa did not have work rights, you may need to apply to have work rights added. Check your visa grant letter or use VEVO to confirm your conditions.

Can I travel overseas on a Bridging Visa A?

No. A BVA does not allow you to travel overseas and return to Australia. If you leave on a BVA, it ceases and you will not be able to return. You must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before you leave. A BVB costs approximately $165 and allows travel and return within a specified period.

Can I get Medicare on a Bridging Visa?

You may be eligible for Medicare if you have applied for a partner visa (820/309) or if you are from an RHCA country (UK, Ireland, NZ, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia, Norway) and have applied for a permanent visa. Other bridging visa holders are generally not eligible for Medicare.

What happens to my bridging visa if my visa application is refused?

Your BVA typically remains valid for 35 days after the refusal decision. During this time, you can leave Australia, apply for a new visa, or lodge an appeal with the AAT. If you lodge an appeal within the time limit, you will generally be granted a new bridging visa.

Can I get Centrelink payments on a Bridging Visa?

Generally no. However, if you are waiting for a partner visa decision and experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for Special Benefit. Some protection visa applicants may access support through the SRSS program.

How long does a Bridging Visa last?

A bridging visa does not have a fixed end date. It remains in effect until your visa application is decided, you are granted a different visa, you leave Australia (BVA ceases on departure), or it is cancelled. Given processing times, a bridging visa can last from a few months to several years.