Bridging Visa (subclass 010, 020, 030, 050, 051)

A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that allows you to legally stay in Australia while your substantive visa application is being processed, or while you prepare to leave Australia. Different subclasses are designed for different situations.

• Subclass 010 – Bridging Visa A (BVA): Granted when you apply for a new visa while holding a substantive visa.

• Subclass 020 – Bridging Visa B (BVB): Allows travel outside Australia while waiting for a decision on your substantive visa.

• Subclass 030 – Bridging Visa C (BVC): For people who apply for a visa but don’t hold a substantive visa.

• Subclass 050 – Bridging Visa E (BVE): Allows a person to remain in Australia lawfully while resolving immigration matters or awaiting departure.

• Subclass 051 – Bridging Visa (Protection Visa applicants): For individuals who are applying for a Protection Visa.

Key Benefits

• Ensures you remain lawfully in Australia.

• Allows work rights in some cases (depending on the visa conditions).

• Provides access to Medicare in certain circumstances.

• Some subclasses allow travel outside Australia (BVB).

• Gives applicants time to finalize immigration matters.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be in Australia at the time of application.

• Must have applied for a substantive visa (for BVA, BVB, BVC).

• Must meet health and character requirements.

• Must not have had a visa canceled due to serious breaches (unless special circumstances apply).

Relationship Requirements

• No specific family/relationship requirement.

• However, family members included in a substantive visa application may also be granted a Bridging Visa.

Location Requirement

• Applicants must be inside Australia when applying.

• Bridging Visas are not granted outside Australia.

Age Requirement

• No specific age restrictions.

• Minors can be included as dependents on their parents’ Bridging Visa.

Health & Character Requirements

• Must meet standard health checks if required.

• Must provide police clearance certificates if requested.

• Must not pose risks to the Australian community.

Visa Conditions

• Work rights may be restricted (some Bridging Visas require proof of financial hardship to gain work rights).

• Travel overseas is generally not allowed unless holding a Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020).

• Must not engage in unlawful activities.

• Must comply with Australian laws.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)