Bridging Visas in Australia: Types, Conditions and Work Rights Explained

When your current visa is nearing its expiration date and your new application is still pending with the Department of Home Affairs, the uncertainty can be stressful. Fortunately, a bridging visa is designed to cover this exact gap.

A bridging visa serves as a temporary visa that allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while awaiting a decision. If you require one, you are part of a large demographic; as of March 2026, over 432,000 individuals are relying on temporary bridging visas, representing a 14% increase from the previous year.

The catch is that bridging visas are not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are five main types in Australia, each carrying very different rights, and in most cases, you don’t get to pick which one you are granted. This guide breaks down how each type works, the conditions attached to it, your rights to work and travel and what happens when it expires.

What is a bridging visa?

In Australian immigration, a bridging visa is a temporary visa designed to act as a legal holding position between two substantive visas. A substantive visa is defined as any standard visa (such as a student, partner, work or visitor visa) that is not a bridging, criminal justice or enforcement visa.

With that in mind, a bridging visa allows you to remain lawfully in Australia during a period when you would otherwise have no valid visa. It explicitly bridges the gap between the expiration of your current substantive visa and a final decision on your new application.

There are two critical details that applicants frequently misunderstand:

1. It is not an independent pathway to residency: A bridging visa does not grant permanent status on its own. It merely holds your legal place in line while the underlying substantive application is processed.
2. It does not take effect immediately: Although a bridging visa is usually granted the day you lodge your new application, it remains inactive until your current substantive visa officially expires. Until that date arrives, you are legally bound by your existing visa conditions. Applicants who begin working the day they receive their bridging visa grant notice, rather than the day it takes effect, risk unknowingly breaching their visa conditions.

The five bridging visa types in Australia

Below is an overview of the five primary bridging visa types in Australia. Please note that the specific conditions listed on your official visa grant notice always take precedence over general summaries.

Bridging Visa A (subclass 010): The default option while you wait

The Bridging Visa A (BVA) is the most common bridging visa. It is granted when you apply onshore for a new substantive visa while still holding a valid substantive visa, and it takes effect the moment your existing visa expires.

In most cases, you do not need to apply for a BVA separately. Lodging a valid visa application through ImmiAccount generally triggers a BVA application automatically. Its conditions usually align with those of the visa you held immediately beforehand. For example, a student applying for a skilled visa will typically remain subject to student work limitations, whereas a visitor applying onshore will usually retain a no-work condition.

Important: A Bridging Visa A does not include travel rights. If you depart Australia while on a BVA, the visa ceases immediately at the border, leaving you without a legal right to return. This limitation is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of the bridging visa system.

(Refer to our full guide to Bridging Visa A (subclass 010) for detailed information regarding eligibility, conditions and work rights.)

Bridging Visa B (subclass 020): Travel and re-entry rights

The Bridging Visa B (BVB) exists for a single practical reason: it allows you to depart and re-enter Australia legally while your underlying visa application remains under consideration. If you currently hold a BVA or BVB and need to travel overseas, obtaining a BVB is your only valid option.

A BVB is granted with a specific travel window, and you must return to Australia before that window expires. Returning after the specified date leaves you without legal entry rights, which usually requires you to apply for another visa from offshore. 

Unlike the BVA, a BVB is not granted automatically. You must submit a separate application, pay the associated visa application charge and provide a valid reason for your trip. Because processing times vary, purchasing travel tickets before receiving your grant notice is a significant risk.

(Refer to our full guide to Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) for details on travel windows, fees, and processing times.)

Bridging Visa C (subclass 030): For applicants without a substantive visa

The Bridging Visa C (BVC) applies to individuals who lodge a valid onshore application at a time when they do not hold a substantive visa. A common example is a former student visa holder whose visa expired before they submitted an application for a partner visa.

The operational differences between a BVC and a BVA are substantial. A BVC is typically granted with a no-work condition because there are no work rights from a preceding substantive visa to carry over. While you may request permission to work, approval generally requires proving financial hardship or a compelling need. Additionally, a BVC does not include travel rights, cannot be converted into a BVB and ceases immediately if you depart Australia.

(Refer to our full guide to Bridging Visa C (subclass 030) for work rights and eligibility criteria.)

Bridging Visa D (subclasses 040 and 041): Short-term legal status

The Bridging Visa D (BVD) is the shortest and narrowest bridging visa available. It addresses highly specific circumstances where an individual attempts to lodge a valid visa application but cannot do so, or where an applicant’s substantive visa is expiring and no departmental officer is available to grant a BVE.

The BVD encompasses two distinct subclasses:

• Subclass 040: Designed for individuals who attempted to lodge a valid application but failed due to an administrative issue (such as an incorrect payment or incomplete form) but who expect to rectify the issue within a few days.
• Subclass 041: Designed for individuals who are unable to lodge a valid application and instead require a brief legal window prior to being assessed for a BVE.

A BVD typically remains valid for only five working days from the date of grant or from the date your substantive visa ceased. It carries no work rights, provides no travel rights and incurs no application fee.

Important: A BVD is a temporary five-day window to rectify your immigration status, rather than a manageable holding position. Because it operates on the threshold between lawful and unlawful status, the actions taken within this window directly impact your future options. Individuals granted a BVD should seek qualified legal advice immediately.

Bridging Visa E (subclasses 050 and 051): Resolving unlawful status

The Bridging Visa E (BVE) is issued to individuals who are currently unlawful non-citizens or who hold a BVD or an existing BVE. It restores legal status to enable an applicant to resolve an immigration matter, await a decision or make arrangements to depart Australia.

The BVE includes two streams:

• Subclass 050: The standard stream for general status resolution.
• Subclass 051: A specialised stream for certain protection visa applicants.

A BVE is granted for a specific timeframe or until a designated event occurs, and it ceases immediately upon leaving Australia. 

Work rights are not granted automatically; applicants must demonstrate a compelling financial need to obtain permission to work. Furthermore, a BVE may carry strict reporting obligations. Unlawful periods prior to obtaining a BVE can trigger a three-year re-entry ban on future temporary visas, making prompt resolution critical.

(Refer to our full guide on the Bridging Visa E (subclasses 050 and 051) for conditions, work rights and re-entry regulations.)

Specialised bridging visas: Subclasses 060 and 070

Two additional bridging visas exist for specific, low-volume scenarios:

• Bridging Visa F (subclass 060): Reserved for individuals of interest in police or departmental investigations regarding human trafficking, slavery or forced labour.
• Bridging Visa R (subclass 070): A removal-pending visa for individuals whose departure from Australia is not currently practicable.

Neither of these subclasses applies to standard onshore visa applicants.

Which bridging visa will you receive?

Your immigration status at the exact moment you lodge your application dictates which bridging visa you receive, rather than personal preference.

The breakdown below illustrates how your status determines the outcome:

• Holding a valid substantive visa on lodgement day: Results in a Bridging Visa A (BVA).
• Lacking a substantive visa on lodgement day: Results in a Bridging Visa C (BVC).
• Holding a BVA and needing to travel overseas: Requires an application for a Bridging Visa B (BVB).
• Holding unlawful status: Requires a Bridging Visa E (BVE) to restore legal status.

This structural rule underscores why the timing of an onshore application is critical. Submitting an application even a few days early or late can fundamentally alter which bridging visa you receive and whether you maintain legal work rights.

Bridging visa conditions explained

Every bridging visa grant includes specific conditions that govern your legal rights and obligations while in Australia. These conditions are detailed on your official visa grant notice and can be verified at any time using the Department of Home Affairs Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.

Common condition codes attached to bridging visas include:

• Condition 8101 (No Work): You must not engage in any employment in Australia.
• Condition 8104 (Work Limitation): Work is restricted to a maximum number of hours per fortnight.
• Condition 8105 (Student Work Limitation): Work restrictions aligned with standard student visa parameters.
• Condition 8107 (Employer/Occupation Restriction): Work is limited to your nominated occupation and sponsoring employer.
• Condition 8547 (Six-Month Work Limit): Employment with any single employer is restricted to a maximum of six months.
• Condition 8201 (Study Limitation): Formal study or training is restricted to a maximum of three months.
• Condition 8501 (Health Insurance): You must maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout your stay.

These condition codes and their legal definitions are specified in the Migration Regulations 1994. Because conditions vary per individual, you must rely on your official grant notice rather than general lists. Breaching a visa condition is a serious legal infraction that can result in visa cancellation and adversely affect future immigration applications.

Bridging visa work rights: Key factors

Work entitlement on a bridging visa depends on three factors: the specific bridging visa subclass granted, the conditions of your previous substantive visa and the subclass of the new visa application.

Generally, work rights are allocated as follows:

• Bridging Visa A (BVA): Usually carries over the work conditions of your preceding substantive visa. For example, transitioning from an employer-sponsored visa generally allows you to continue working, whereas transitioning from a visitor visa usually retains Condition 8101 (No Work).
• Bridging Visa C (BVC) and Bridging Visa E (BVE): Typically granted with a no-work condition by default.
• Bridging Visa D (BVD): Does not permit work under any circumstances.

If your bridging visa includes a no-work condition and you experience financial hardship, you may apply for a new bridging visa with work rights. To qualify, you must demonstrate a “compelling need to work” based on financial hardship, supported by evidence such as bank statements, living expenses and current financial obligations. This request is submitted using Form 1005 (covered below).

Travel rights and international departure

Only a Bridging Visa B (BVB) permits you to travel internationally and re-enter Australia. Departing Australia on any other bridging visa subclass causes the visa to cease immediately, revoking your legal right to return.

This restriction is particularly relevant during unforeseen emergencies, such as family illness or bereavements overseas. If you anticipate any need to travel while awaiting a visa decision, you must apply for and receive a BVB prior to departing Australia.

Medicare and health insurance eligibility

Eligibility for Medicare depends on the specific substantive visa application being processed rather than the subclass of bridging visa held.

Generally, you may qualify for Medicare enrolment if you meet the following criteria:

• You have applied onshore for a permanent resident visa.
• You hold a valid temporary visa (including a bridging visa).
• You hold valid work rights, or you are the spouse, de facto partner, parent or child of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Most parent visa applicants are excluded from Medicare access under these provisions. If you do not qualify for Medicare, you must maintain private health cover to ensure continuous medical coverage. We go into more detail in our guide on Medicare access for partner visa applicants.

How to apply, including Form 1005 Application for a Bridging visa

For the majority of applicants, a separate bridging visa application is unnecessary. Lodging a valid onshore visa application through ImmiAccount generally triggers the grant of the associated bridging visa automatically.

A manual application is only required in specific circumstances:

• Form 1005 (Application for a Bridging visa): This form is typically used for a BVA or BVC. Common reasons for submission include applying for a new grant after an earlier bridging visa ceased due to international travel, requesting the removal of a no-work condition or maintaining lawful status during a judicial review process.
• Form 1006 (Application for a Bridging visa B): This application is required specifically to obtain travel rights. It incurs a visa application charge, which must be paid through ImmiAccount.

When a separate application is necessary, forms for Bridging Visas A, B and C are typically lodged via the Department of Home Affairs online webform with the completed document attached. Because visa application charges are subject to annual indexation, you should confirm the current fees directly with the Department or your legal representative prior to lodgement.

How long a bridging visa lasts and when it ends

Unlike standard student or work visas, a bridging visa does not have a fixed expiration date. It remains active until a specific legal event occurs. Generally, your bridging visa will cease when:

• Your new visa is granted: The new substantive visa immediately replaces the bridging visa.
• Your application is refused: For visas granted on or after 19 November 2016, the bridging visa typically ceases 35 calendar days after a refusal decision or 35 days after the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) affirms a refusal.
• You withdraw your application: The bridging visa will cease shortly after the withdrawal is processed.
• You depart Australia: Leaving the country ends the visa immediately, unless you hold a Bridging Visa B (BVB) with a valid travel window.
• Your substantive visa is cancelled: A visa cancellation can terminate any associated bridging visa immediately.

Visa refusals and ART appeal deadlines

If your visa application is refused, lodging a valid review application with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) before the legal deadline generally allows your bridging visa to remain in effect throughout the review process.

When navigating a refusal, you must carefully distinguish between two critical timeframes:

• The bridging visa cessation window: You generally have 35 days after a refusal decision before your current bridging visa ceases.
• The ART appeal deadline: The statutory deadline to lodge a review application is often much shorter, typically 21 or 28 days from the date of notification depending on the visa category.

For migration decisions, this tribunal deadline is absolute and cannot be extended. Missing it generally eliminates your right to a review. 

Next steps following a Departmental decision

If you have already received a decision, your required actions depend entirely on the outcome:

• For visa refusals: Our comprehensive guide on what to do when your visa is refused in Australia outlines the available review options and strict legal deadlines.
• For visa cancellations: If your substantive visa was cancelled rather than refused, the legal position and timeframes differ significantly. These procedures are detailed in our separate guide to visa cancellation.

Common bridging visa mistakes we see

Most bridging visa complications arise from a handful of avoidable assumptions rather than poor luck. Understanding these common pitfalls can protect your legal status.

• Assuming the bridging visa is active immediately: A bridging visa generally only takes effect when your previous substantive visa expires. Until that exact date, your existing visa conditions continue to apply.
• Assuming work rights automatically carry over: Always read your grant notice or verify your conditions through VEVO. Engaging in employment while subject to Condition 8101 (No Work) constitutes a serious breach that jeopardises both your visa status and your employer.
• Travelling internationally on a Bridging Visa A (BVA): A BVA does not include travel rights. It ceases immediately at the departure gate, leaving you without legal permission to re-enter Australia.
• Letting a substantive visa expire before lodging a new application: Applying after your current visa expires means you will typically receive a Bridging Visa C (BVC) without work rights, rather than a BVA with work rights. Furthermore, if your new application is subsequently refused while you do not hold a substantive visa, it generally triggers the “section 48 bar,” a legal provision that blocks most future onshore visa applications.
• Treating a refusal as the absolute end: If your visa is refused, there is a strict, non-extendable statutory window to seek a merits review through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Failing to act before this deadline closes generally eliminates your right to an appeal.

Frequently asked questions

What is a bridging visa in Australia?

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that maintains your lawful status in Australia while you await a decision on another visa application, administrative review or departure arrangement. It is not a substantive visa and does not offer an independent pathway to permanent residency.

Does a bridging visa allow you to work?

It depends on the subclass. A Bridging Visa A (BVA) usually inherits the work rights of your preceding substantive visa, whereas a Bridging Visa C (BVC) or E (BVE) typically carries a no-work condition, and a Bridging Visa D (BVD) never permits work. Always confirm your specific conditions on your grant notice or via VEVO.

How long does a bridging visa last in Australia?

A bridging visa does not have a fixed expiration date. It remains active until a specific outcome occurs, such as your new visa being granted, your application being withdrawn, or 35 calendar days passing after a visa refusal or Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) decision.

Can I travel overseas on a bridging visa?

Only if you hold a Bridging Visa B (BVB) with an active travel window. Departing Australia on a BVA, BVC, BVD or BVE immediately terminates the visa and revokes your legal right to re-enter the country.

What is Bridging visa D and how long does it last?

A Bridging Visa D (subclasses 040 and 041) is a short-term five-day visa issued to individuals who encountered administrative issues lodging an application, or who need a brief window before being assessed for a BVE. It carries no work rights and does not permit travel.

What is Form 1005 used for?

Form 1005 is used to apply for a Bridging Visa A or C in specific circumstances, such as requesting work rights based on financial hardship or maintaining lawful status during a judicial review. Travel authorisation under a Bridging Visa B requires Form 1006 instead.

Is a partner visa a bridging visa?

No. A Subclass 820 Partner visa is a temporary substantive visa. However, most onshore partner visa applicants are granted a bridging visa to remain lawful while awaiting their partner visa decision. Our partner visa requirements guide sets out how that timeline works.

Can I get Medicare on a bridging visa?

Yes, provided you have applied onshore for a permanent residency visa and meet specific criteria, such as holding work rights or having an Australian citizen or permanent resident family member. Most parent visa applicants are excluded.

What happens if my visa application is refused?

Your bridging visa will generally cease 35 calendar days after the refusal date. However, submitting a valid review application with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within the strict statutory deadline (typically 21 or 28 days) allows your bridging visa to remain active throughout the review process.

Getting your bridging visa position right

Bridging visas seem like routine administrative paperwork until something goes wrong. A single missed deadline or misunderstood condition can immediately impact your ability to work, travel or remain lawfully in Australia.

Managing your bridging visa successfully comes down to timing and adhering strictly to the conditions on your grant notice. Because procedural mistakes can be costly and difficult to reverse, planning your application carefully is essential.

If you are preparing an onshore application, trying to understand your current visa conditions or facing a refusal deadline, book a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers and we will help you move forward.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Australian immigration law changes frequently. Please verify current requirements with a qualified immigration lawyer or the Department of Home Affairs. Last reviewed: 12 August 2026.