Bridging visas: staying lawfully while you wait

Last checked: 1 November 2026

The short answer

A bridging visa lets you stay in Australia lawfully while your visa application, review or court case is decided, or while you arrange to leave. Most people get one automatically when they apply for a new visa in Australia, and it starts when their current visa ends. Each bridging visa has its own conditions about work and travel. Check yours in VEVO and follow it closely.

Key dates and time limits

• A Bridging visa A granted on or after 19 November 2016 usually ends 35 days after your visa is refused, unless you apply for review in time.
• To keep your lawful status after a refusal, apply to the ART within 28 days of being notified, or 14 days if you are in immigration detention.
• If you apply to a court for judicial review, the time limit is 35 days from the ART decision, and you must apply for a new bridging visa by webform.
• From 1 November 2026, people waiting on a protection visa application cannot get a Bridging visa B to travel overseas and return.
• If you stay without a valid visa for more than 28 days and then leave, you may be refused another visa for up to 3 years.

Step by step

1. 1

   Check what visa you hold now

   Log in to VEVO to see whether you hold a bridging visa, which one, and its conditions. A bridging visa does not start until your current visa ends. Until then, you must follow the conditions of your current visa.

2. 2

   Know the main types

   Bridging visa A (BVA) is for people who held a substantive visa when they applied. Bridging visa B (BVB) lets a BVA or BVB holder travel and come back within a set period. Bridging visa C (BVC) is for people who did not hold a substantive visa when they applied. Bridging visa E (BVE) is for people who are unlawful or need time to resolve their matter or leave.

3. 3

   Check if you can work

   Your grant letter and VEVO show your work conditions. If you cannot work and are in financial hardship, you may be able to apply for a new BVA or BVC that lets you work. You will need to show evidence of hardship.

4. 4

   Do not travel without checking

   If you leave Australia on a BVA, BVC or BVE, it ends and you cannot come back on it. If you need to travel and return, you must be granted a BVB before you leave. From 1 November 2026, protection visa applicants cannot get a BVB.

5. 5

   If your visa is refused

   Apply to the ART within the time limit so your bridging visa keeps going while the review is decided. If you lose at the ART and go to court, apply for a new bridging visa by webform.

6. 6

   If you do not have a valid visa

   Get advice straight away. You may be able to apply for a BVE so you can stay lawfully while you sort out your situation or prepare to leave. The Department's Status Resolution Service can also talk to you about your options.

Who can help

Forms and the law