Bridging visa B (Subclass 020) - Australian Visa

Overview

From 1 August 2022, the option to apply for a Bridging visa A (BVA), B (BVB) and C (BVC) in-person or via a paper form will no longer be available.

Applications for a Bridging visa A, B or C must be made online via ImmiAccount or the online webform.

Stay

Temporarily

Cost

Free

Processing times

There are no processing times available for this visa.

With this visa, you can:

stay lawfully in Australia until your application is , or where granted in association with judicial review, until those proceedings are completed
work, if you meet the requirements for work

See all conditions

Check your eligibility

You must:

be in Australia when you apply
if you meet all the eligibility requirements, be in Australia at time of grant

Help with your visa

If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.

About this visa

With this visa you can

How long you can stay

About this visa

This is a temporary visa. Nearly all bridging visas are applied for automatically as part of applying for a . We will tell you if this happens. Check if you already hold a Bridging visa A (BVA) with VEVO.

A separate application for a BVA may be necessary where:

your application did not also constitute an application for a BVA
you were granted a BVA or a Bridging visa B (BVB) but this has ceased and you meet the requirements for another BVA
you are seeking a further BVA without work restrictions
you have applied for judicial review.

You can't use a bridging visa while you wait for a citizenship application to be decided.

In effect

A BVA comes 'in to effect' when:

it is granted (if your has ceased since applying for the BVA or the BVA is more beneficial than your current bridging visa)
your current substantive visa ceases
another bridging visa that is more beneficial than your current bridging visa ceases.

Visa holders must adhere to the conditions imposed on their visa. Where you are granted a BVA, you will be notified about the conditions that apply.

If you hold a substantive visa when your BVA is granted, you must continue to comply with the conditions of the substantive visa. When your substantive visa ceases, the conditions of your BVA will apply.

The BVA does not support return travel to Australia.

Working in Australia

You might be allowed to work in Australia depending on the visa conditions that apply to your BVA. Your grant letter will tell you about these conditions. See if you have work restrictions in VEVO.

If your BVA does not let you work, or has restrictions on working, you can apply for another BVA that lets you work. To be considered for a BVA that lets you work, you will usually have to demonstrate that you are in financial hardship.

We will assess your circumstances in relation to your claim that you need to work. If you do not meet the requirements for work, and you are still eligible for a BVA, we will grant you a new BVA with the same work prevention or restriction condition that was on your previous BVA.

You cannot be granted a new BVA that lets you work if your current BVA prevents or restricts you from working in Australia and either:

your current BVA was granted to you because you have applied for judicial review of the decision made on your application, or
you have applied for a protection visa.

Remaining lawful during judicial review

If a merits review tribunal upholds our decision to refuse your substantive visa application and you apply for judicial review, you will need to apply for a bridging visa to maintain your lawful status during the judicial review proceedings. If you have applied for judicial review you can only apply for a bridging visa by webform.

With this visa you can

stay lawfully in Australia until your application is finally determined, or if granted in association with judicial proceedings, until those proceedings are complete.

A BVA will end immediately if the following situations occur:

you leave Australia while your BVA is in effect
you are granted the substantive visa you applied for
you are granted another Bridging visa (such as a BVB) in relation to the same substantive visa application that this BVA is associated with
we cancel either your BVA or the substantive visa that you held when you were granted the BVA.

How long you can stay

In all other situations one of the following outcomes will determine when your BVA ceases:

your application is refused
your merits or judicial review is decided
you withdraw your application for the substantive visa, merits review or judicial review
a merit review tribunal tells you that it has no jurisdiction to consider your application for review.

Once you have been notified of an outcome you can see exactly how long you can stay in Australia in VEVO.

BVA granted on or after 19 November 2016

Your BVA will cease 35 calendar days after:

our refusal decision or a decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in relation to your associated substantive visa application
a determination that your substantive visa application or an application for review by the AAT is invalid
you withdraw your substantive visa application or application for review by the AAT.

You BVA will cease 28 calendar days after:

a judicial review body upholds the decision to refuse your substantive visa application
you withdraw a related judicial review application.

BVA granted before 19 November 2016

Your BVA will cease 28 days after the date that one of the following happens:

we notify you that your substantive visa application is not valid
we notify you that your substantive visa application has been refused
you withdraw your substantive visa application
a merits review tribunal notifies you that it has upheld our decision to refuse your substantive visa application
a merit review tribunal notifies you that it has no jurisdiction to consider your application for review
you withdraw your application for merits or judicial review from a merits review tribunal or a judicial review body
a judicial review body upholds the decision to refuse your substantive visa application.

Stay longer

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you wish to stay longer.

Explore your visa options.

Include family

If you and your family have applied together for a substantive visa in Australia, you might have also applied together for a BVA. Check if family members already hold a BVA with VEVO.

If you apply separately for a BVA, you can include in your BVA application if they are included in your application.

We will assess each member of the family unit's application and decide which bridging visa they can be granted.

Cost

Free

Apply from

You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when the BVA application is submitted and granted.

Your obligations

You and anyone included in your application must:

comply with all Australian laws
comply with the conditions of the current visa
comply with the conditions of your Bridging visa A when it comes into effect

See the conditions that will and might be applied to a BVA.

Travel

If you leave Australia on this visa when it is in effect you will not be able to return on it. A BVA that is in-effect will cease upon departure from Australia. To see if your BVA is in effect, see VEVO.

If you want to travel and return to Australia whilst your application is being processed, you will need to have been granted a BVB before you leave.

Visa label

We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

Eligibility

These are some of the common eligibility criteria:

Have had a substantive visa

You must hold or have held a substantive visa.

Apply in Australia

You will need to be in Australia when you apply.

Applied for a substantive visa or judicial review

You must have made a valid application for a substantive visa that has not been finally determined or you have made an application for judicial review of a decision relating to your substantive visa application, within the prescribed timeframe, and the judicial review proceedings have not been completed.

When applying for a review, have applied in the prescribed timeframe

You must apply within the prescribed timeframe.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

You must apply for review within the prescribed timeframe.

If you have applied within the prescribed timeframe, you may not need to apply for a further Bridging Visa.

Judicial review

The timeframe for applying for judicial review is 35 days from the date of the Tribunal's decision.

If you have not applied for judicial review within the statutory time limits, this may affect your eligibility to apply for a further Bridging Visa.

Age

You can be any age to apply for this visa.

Meet character requirement

You will need to meet the character requirement.

For all criteria see Schedule 2 in Migration Regulations 1994

Meet all these criteria? Check how to apply in our step by step guide.

How to apply

Step 1

Before you apply

Check if you already hold a BVA with VEVO.

Get help with your application

Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:

You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.

Step 2

Gather your documents

Gather the documents you need for your application.

Provide accurate documents

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide colour copies of the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also provide:

a national identity card, if you have one
proof of change of name

Documents that prove a change of name include:

a marriage or divorce certificate
change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
documents that show other names you have been known by

Proof of hardship

Provide proof to support a change to your visa conditions.

Tell us you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount if you applied online, or send with your paper application.

Prepare your documents

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

full name
address and telephone number
qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.

Scan or photograph

Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.

The scans and photos must be clear.

If a document is more than 1 page, save it all as 1 file.

Step 3

Apply for the visa

How you apply for a BVA depends on:

how you applied for your (online or by paper form)
if you have applied for review of a decision about your substantive visa application.

You must apply for the BVA in the same way you applied for your substantive visa.

If you applied for your substantive visa through ImmiAccount, you must apply for your BVA through ImmiAccount.

If you applied for your new substantive visa by paper form, you must submit your BVA application by webform.

If you have applied for a review of a decision about your substantive visa application, you must submit your BVA application by webform.

You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when you lodge the BVA application.

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you cannot prove your identity or do not provide accurate information.

Apply through ImmiAccount

If you applied for your substantive visa through ImmiAccount

You must apply for the BVA through ImmiAccount.

To apply for a BVA through ImmiAccount:

Log in to ImmiAccount
Attach documents.

Apply by webform

If you applied for your substantive visa by paper form

You must complete and submit your BVA application Form 1005 by webform.

If you have applied for review of a decision on your substantive visa application

You must complete and submit your BVA application Form 1005 by webform.

Step 4

After you apply

See what you can and must do after you apply.

What will happen after you apply

We will tell you when we have received your application and documents.

Status updates

We do not give updates on application processing times.

Wait for us to contact you.

Travel

If you leave Australia while your BVA is in effect you will not be able to return. A BVA that is in effect will cease upon departure from Australia. To see if your BVA is in effect, see VEVO.

If you want to travel and return to Australia whilst your substantive visa application is being processed, you will need to be granted a BVB before you leave.

Attach more information

If you are applying through ImmiAccount and did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as possible in ImmiAccount.

If you are applying by webform, you must attach all documents before you submit your BVA application. You cannot attach extra documents after you have submitted your application.

We may ask you for more information. You should provide information how we ask you to in the request letter.

Stay lawful

Make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your bridging visa and your substantive visa application. It is important to submit your application early. This ensures enough time for us to process your bridging visa application.

Including family members

If you and your family have made a combined application for a substantive visa in Australia, you might have also applied for a BVA. Check if family members already hold a BVA in VEVO

Newborn children

Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.

Mistakes on your application

Tell us as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.

Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF).

Help with your application

Tell us if you:

want someone to receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
have asked someone to give you immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF)

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount if you applied for your substantive visa online.

If you applied for your substantive visa by paper form, send your documents to the office assessing your visa application. You can find this information on the acknowledgement letter under Contact Us.

For more information see Who can help you with your application.

Tell us if things change

Some of the things you need to tell us about after you have applied include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
the birth of a child
if you want to withdraw your application

See how to tell us if your situation changes.

Step 5

Visa outcome

We will let you know in writing our decision about your visa application.

You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when we make a decision.

If we grant your visa, we will tell you:

your visa grant number
the date your visa starts
your visa conditions, if applicable

Keep a copy of the email with you when in Australia.

If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:

why we refused the visa
if you have a right to a review of the decision

When you have this visa

In Australia

Leaving Australia

In Australia

How long you can stay

To see when you must leave after you are notified of an outcome, use VEVO.

When you have this visa

stay lawfully in Australia until we make a decision on your application for a visa or review

To see your specific conditions, use VEVO.

What you must do on this visa (your obligations)

comply with all Australian laws including all visa conditions applied to your visa

Working

If you get a BVA that does not permit work, you can apply for a further Bridging Visa with no conditions if you can demonstrate financial hardship.

You can't be granted a new BVA that lets you work if:

your BVA was granted to you because you have applied for judicial review of the decision made on your substantive visa application, and
that BVA prevents or restricts you from working in Australia.

Travelling

If you leave Australia on this visa when it is in effect you will not be able to return on it. To see if your BVA is in effect, see VEVO. A BVA that is in-effect will cease upon departure from Australia

If you want to travel and return to Australia whilst your substantive visa remains under consideration, you will need to have been granted a BVB before you leave.

Tell us if things change

Some of the things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
the birth of a child
you want to withdraw your application

See how to tell us if your situation changes.

Proving you have a visa

To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Leaving Australia

Before you leave

If you want to travel and return to Australia whilst your substantive visa remains under consideration, you will need to have been granted a BVB before you leave.

At the Border

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

After you leave

Proving you have been to Australia

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Official Information

For complete eligibility requirements, application process, processing times and costs, visit the official Department of Home Affairs page.

View on Home Affairs

Important Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended as a general guide only. Always verify the latest details on the official Department of Home Affairs website or seek help from a registered migration agent.