[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-bridging-visa-a-b-c-explained":3,"blog-related-bridging-visa-a-b-c-explained":632},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"category":602,"description":603,"extension":604,"faq":605,"image":615,"keywords":616,"meta":622,"navigation":624,"noindex":625,"path":626,"publishedAt":627,"seo":628,"status":629,"stem":630,"unlisted":625,"updatedAt":627,"__hash__":631},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Fbridging-visa-a-b-c-explained.md","Bridging Visas A, B and C: When You Get One and What It Allows","visainfo.cc Editorial",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":573},"minimark",[10,23,30,35,155,159,164,171,183,187,190,228,240,244,254,260,264,268,275,279,312,316,337,341,363,367,370,377,382,386,389,415,419,422,456,460,464,471,475,482,486,489,493,531,535,557],[11,12,13,14,18,19,22],"p",{},"If you've applied for a new visa while in Australia, you've probably heard about ",[15,16,17],"strong",{},"bridging visas",". These are temporary visas that keep you ",[15,20,21],{},"lawful"," while you wait for a decision on your substantive visa application. But the different types (A, B, C, D, E) can be confusing.",[11,24,25,26,29],{},"This guide focuses on the three most common bridging visas: ",[15,27,28],{},"BVA, BVB, and BVC",".",[31,32,34],"h2",{"id":33},"quick-comparison","Quick Comparison",[36,37,38,57],"table",{},[39,40,41],"thead",{},[42,43,44,48,51,54],"tr",{},[45,46,47],"th",{},"Feature",[45,49,50],{},"BVA",[45,52,53],{},"BVB",[45,55,56],{},"BVC",[58,59,60,77,93,108,124,140],"tbody",{},[42,61,62,68,71,74],{},[63,64,65],"td",{},[15,66,67],{},"Full name",[63,69,70],{},"Bridging visa A",[63,72,73],{},"Bridging visa B",[63,75,76],{},"Bridging visa C",[42,78,79,84,87,90],{},[63,80,81],{},[15,82,83],{},"How granted",[63,85,86],{},"Automatically with valid visa application",[63,88,89],{},"Applied for separately",[63,91,92],{},"Automatically (applied from bridging visa)",[42,94,95,100,103,106],{},[63,96,97],{},[15,98,99],{},"Travel permitted?",[63,101,102],{},"❌ No",[63,104,105],{},"✅ Yes (within specified period)",[63,107,102],{},[42,109,110,115,118,121],{},[63,111,112],{},[15,113,114],{},"Work rights?",[63,116,117],{},"Mirrors previous visa (or applied for)",[63,119,120],{},"Same as BVA it replaces",[63,122,123],{},"Not by default (can apply)",[42,125,126,131,134,137],{},[63,127,128],{},[15,129,130],{},"Cost",[63,132,133],{},"Free (part of visa application)",[63,135,136],{},"AUD $185",[63,138,139],{},"Free",[42,141,142,147,150,153],{},[63,143,144],{},[15,145,146],{},"When it activates",[63,148,149],{},"When current visa expires",[63,151,152],{},"When granted",[63,154,149],{},[31,156,158],{"id":157},"bridging-visa-a-bva","Bridging Visa A (BVA)",[160,161,163],"h3",{"id":162},"when-you-get-one","When You Get One",[11,165,166,167,170],{},"A BVA is granted ",[15,168,169],{},"automatically"," when you lodge a valid application for a substantive visa while you are in Australia holding a valid visa. You don't need to apply separately; it's part of your visa application.",[11,172,173,176,177,182],{},[15,174,175],{},"Example:"," You're on a ",[178,179,181],"a",{"href":180},"\u002Fblog\u002Fstudent-visa-subclass-500-guide","Student visa (Subclass 500)"," that expires on 30 June. On 15 June, you lodge a Skilled Worker visa application. A BVA is automatically associated with your application. On 1 July, when your Student visa expires, the BVA activates and you remain lawful.",[160,184,186],{"id":185},"work-rights-on-a-bva","Work Rights on a BVA",[11,188,189],{},"Your BVA work rights depend on your circumstances:",[36,191,192,202],{},[39,193,194],{},[42,195,196,199],{},[45,197,198],{},"Situation",[45,200,201],{},"Work Rights",[58,203,204,212,220],{},[42,205,206,209],{},[63,207,208],{},"Applied for a visa that allows work",[63,210,211],{},"Full work rights (usually)",[42,213,214,217],{},[63,215,216],{},"Applied for a visa that doesn't allow work",[63,218,219],{},"No work rights (can apply for permission)",[42,221,222,225],{},[63,223,224],{},"Previous visa had work conditions",[63,226,227],{},"Similar conditions may apply",[11,229,230,231,234,235,239],{},"If your BVA doesn't include work rights and you need to work, you can apply to the Department for ",[15,232,233],{},"work permission"," under regulation 050 (",[178,236,238],{"href":237},"\u002Fblog\u002Fcondition-8501-health-insurance","Condition 8501"," modification).",[160,241,243],{"id":242},"travel-on-a-bva","Travel on a BVA",[11,245,246,249,250,253],{},[15,247,248],{},"A BVA does not allow you to travel."," If you leave Australia on a BVA, the visa ",[15,251,252],{},"ceases"," and you cannot re-enter.",[11,255,256,257,259],{},"If you need to travel while waiting for a visa decision, you must apply for a ",[15,258,73],{}," before you leave.",[31,261,263],{"id":262},"bridging-visa-b-bvb","Bridging Visa B (BVB)",[160,265,267],{"id":266},"what-it-does","What It Does",[11,269,270,271,274],{},"A BVB allows you to ",[15,272,273],{},"travel outside Australia and return"," while your substantive visa application is being processed. It essentially replaces your BVA with travel rights for a specified period.",[160,276,278],{"id":277},"how-to-apply","How to Apply",[280,281,282,289,299,302,309],"ol",{},[283,284,285,286,288],"li",{},"You must already hold a ",[15,287,50],{}," (or be eligible for one)",[283,290,291,292,298],{},"Apply for a BVB through ",[178,293,297],{"href":294,"rel":295},"https:\u002F\u002Fonline.immi.gov.au",[296],"nofollow","ImmiAccount"," or in person at a Department office",[283,300,301],{},"Pay the application fee (AUD $185 as of 2026)",[283,303,304,305,308],{},"Specify your ",[15,306,307],{},"travel dates",": the BVB is granted for a specific period (usually up to 3 months)",[283,310,311],{},"You must return to Australia before the BVB travel period expires",[160,313,315],{"id":314},"when-to-apply","When to Apply",[317,318,319,325,331],"ul",{},[283,320,321,324],{},[15,322,323],{},"Before booking flights",": processing takes 1–7 days",[283,326,327,330],{},[15,328,329],{},"Before leaving Australia",": you cannot apply for a BVB from overseas",[283,332,333,336],{},[15,334,335],{},"Each time you travel",": a BVB is usually granted for a single travel period; you may need to apply again for subsequent trips",[160,338,340],{"id":339},"key-rules","Key Rules",[317,342,343,350,357],{},[283,344,345,346,349],{},"If you ",[15,347,348],{},"do not return"," before the BVB travel period expires, the BVB ceases and you lose your right to return",[283,351,352,353,356],{},"If your substantive visa is ",[15,354,355],{},"granted while you're overseas",", the BVB ceases and your new substantive visa takes effect",[283,358,352,359,362],{},[15,360,361],{},"refused while you're overseas",", the BVB ceases when the refusal takes effect",[31,364,366],{"id":365},"bridging-visa-c-bvc","Bridging Visa C (BVC)",[160,368,163],{"id":369},"when-you-get-one-1",[11,371,372,373,376],{},"A BVC is granted automatically when you lodge a valid visa application while you're in Australia on a ",[15,374,375],{},"bridging visa"," (rather than a substantive visa).",[11,378,379,381],{},[15,380,175],{}," Your Student visa expired, your BVA activated, but that visa application was refused. While on the BVA (before it ceases), you lodge another application. This time, you receive a BVC instead of a BVA.",[160,383,385],{"id":384},"limitations","Limitations",[11,387,388],{},"A BVC is more restrictive than a BVA:",[317,390,391,397,403,409],{},[283,392,393,396],{},[15,394,395],{},"No travel",": you cannot leave Australia",[283,398,399,402],{},[15,400,401],{},"No work rights by default",": you must apply separately for work permission",[283,404,405,408],{},[15,406,407],{},"Cannot be upgraded to a BVB",": you cannot obtain travel rights on a BVC",[283,410,411,414],{},[15,412,413],{},"Signals immigration complexity",": being on a BVC generally means you've been through multiple visa applications",[31,416,418],{"id":417},"other-bridging-visas-d-and-e","Other Bridging Visas (D and E)",[11,420,421],{},"For completeness:",[36,423,424,434],{},[39,425,426],{},[42,427,428,431],{},[45,429,430],{},"Type",[45,432,433],{},"Purpose",[58,435,436,446],{},[42,437,438,443],{},[63,439,440],{},[15,441,442],{},"Bridging visa D (BVD)",[63,444,445],{},"Short-term visa (5 days) to give you time to arrange your departure or lodge a substantive visa application",[42,447,448,453],{},[63,449,450],{},[15,451,452],{},"Bridging visa E (BVE)",[63,454,455],{},"Granted to unlawful non-citizens to arrange departure from Australia",[31,457,459],{"id":458},"common-scenarios","Common Scenarios",[160,461,463],{"id":462},"my-visa-expires-next-week-should-i-apply-for-a-bridging-visa","\"My visa expires next week. Should I apply for a bridging visa?\"",[11,465,466,467,470],{},"You don't apply for a bridging visa directly. You apply for the ",[15,468,469],{},"substantive visa"," you actually want (student visa, partner visa, skilled visa, etc.). The BVA is granted automatically as part of that application.",[160,472,474],{"id":473},"im-on-a-bva-can-i-travel-home-for-a-family-emergency","\"I'm on a BVA. Can I travel home for a family emergency?\"",[11,476,477,478,481],{},"Apply for a ",[15,479,480],{},"BVB immediately",". Do not leave Australia without a granted BVB; your BVA will cease and you won't be able to return.",[160,483,485],{"id":484},"my-visa-application-was-refused-am-i-unlawful","\"My visa application was refused. Am I unlawful?\"",[11,487,488],{},"Not immediately. When a visa application is refused, there is usually a period (28 or 35 days) during which you can apply for review. Your BVA typically remains in effect during this period. Check your refusal letter for the specific timeframe.",[31,490,492],{"id":491},"practical-tips","Practical Tips",[280,494,495,501,507,519,525],{},[283,496,497,500],{},[15,498,499],{},"Never leave Australia on a BVA",": apply for a BVB first",[283,502,503,506],{},[15,504,505],{},"Apply for your next visa before your current one expires",": this ensures you get a BVA",[283,508,509,512,513,518],{},[15,510,511],{},"Check your bridging visa conditions",": work rights vary. Use ",[178,514,517],{"href":515,"rel":516},"https:\u002F\u002Fimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au\u002Fvisas\u002Falready-have-a-visa\u002Fcheck-visa-details-and-conditions\u002Fcheck-conditions-online",[296],"VEVO"," to check",[283,520,521,524],{},[15,522,523],{},"Keep your contact details updated"," with the Department: visa decisions are sent to your registered email\u002Faddress",[283,526,527,530],{},[15,528,529],{},"Don't delay if your substantive visa application is refused","; you have limited time to act before your bridging visa ceases",[31,532,534],{"id":533},"official-resources","Official Resources",[317,536,537,544,551],{},[283,538,539],{},[178,540,543],{"href":541,"rel":542},"https:\u002F\u002Fimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au\u002Fvisas\u002Fgetting-a-visa\u002Fvisa-listing\u002Fbridging-visa-a-010",[296],"Bridging visas: Home Affairs",[283,545,546],{},[178,547,550],{"href":548,"rel":549},"https:\u002F\u002Fimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au\u002Fvisas\u002Fgetting-a-visa\u002Fvisa-listing\u002Fbridging-visa-b-020",[296],"Bridging visa B: Home Affairs",[283,552,553],{},[178,554,556],{"href":515,"rel":555},[296],"VEVO: Check your visa status",[558,559,560],"blockquote",{},[11,561,562,563,566,567,572],{},"⚠️ ",[15,564,565],{},"Disclaimer:"," This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Bridging visa rules are complex and vary by circumstance. Always verify with the ",[178,568,571],{"href":569,"rel":570},"https:\u002F\u002Fimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au",[296],"Department of Home Affairs"," or a registered migration agent.",{"title":574,"searchDepth":575,"depth":575,"links":576},"",2,[577,578,584,590,594,595,600,601],{"id":33,"depth":575,"text":34},{"id":157,"depth":575,"text":158,"children":579},[580,582,583],{"id":162,"depth":581,"text":163},3,{"id":185,"depth":581,"text":186},{"id":242,"depth":581,"text":243},{"id":262,"depth":575,"text":263,"children":585},[586,587,588,589],{"id":266,"depth":581,"text":267},{"id":277,"depth":581,"text":278},{"id":314,"depth":581,"text":315},{"id":339,"depth":581,"text":340},{"id":365,"depth":575,"text":366,"children":591},[592,593],{"id":369,"depth":581,"text":163},{"id":384,"depth":581,"text":385},{"id":417,"depth":575,"text":418},{"id":458,"depth":575,"text":459,"children":596},[597,598,599],{"id":462,"depth":581,"text":463},{"id":473,"depth":581,"text":474},{"id":484,"depth":581,"text":485},{"id":491,"depth":575,"text":492},{"id":533,"depth":575,"text":534},"compliance","Bridging visas keep you lawful in Australia while waiting for a visa decision. Learn the differences between BVA, BVB, and BVC, travel rights, work rights, and how they're granted.","md",[606,609,612],{"q":607,"a":608},"What is a Bridging visa A?","A Bridging visa A (BVA) is automatically granted when you lodge a substantive visa application while holding a valid visa in Australia. It activates when your current visa expires and keeps you lawful while your new application is being processed. A BVA does not normally allow travel outside Australia.",{"q":610,"a":611},"Can I travel on a Bridging visa A?","No. A BVA does not allow you to leave and re-enter Australia. If you need to travel while waiting for a visa decision, you must apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) before departing. If you leave Australia on a BVA without obtaining a BVB, your BVA ceases and you may not be able to return.",{"q":613,"a":614},"What is the difference between Bridging visa B and C?","A Bridging visa B (BVB) allows you to travel outside Australia and return while your substantive visa application is processed. A Bridging visa C (BVC) is granted when you lodge a visa application while on a previous bridging visa (not a substantive visa). A BVC does not allow travel or work by default.","https:\u002F\u002Fvi.cdn.mcdn.cyou\u002Fblog\u002Fbridging-visa-a-b-c-explained.webp",[617,618,619,620,621],"bridging visa Australia","bridging visa A","bridging visa B","bridging visa C","BVA BVB BVC difference",{"slug":623},"bridging-visa-a-b-c-explained",true,false,"\u002Fblog\u002Fbridging-visa-a-b-c-explained","2026-05-05",{"title":5,"description":603},"published","blog\u002Fbridging-visa-a-b-c-explained","mVxC4H02NltsYib5EYumvmmPD4fdcAPeUUj0IAlUQx0",[633,639,644],{"path":634,"title":635,"description":636,"category":602,"publishedAt":637,"image":638,"unlisted":625},"\u002Fblog\u002Ffind-condition-8558-on-grant-notice","How to Find Condition 8558 on Your Visa Grant Notice","Where the conditions sit on an Australian visa grant notice, how to tell condition 8558 from a per entry stay limit, and what to do if you cannot find it.","2026-10-07",null,{"path":640,"title":641,"description":642,"category":602,"publishedAt":643,"image":638,"unlisted":625},"\u002Fblog\u002Fbreached-condition-8558-what-happens","Breached Condition 8558? What Happens and What to Do Next","What actually happens if you have stayed past the 12 months in 18 months limit, how cancellation works, why leaving quietly can make things worse, and where to get real help.","2026-09-29",{"path":645,"title":646,"description":647,"category":602,"publishedAt":648,"image":649,"unlisted":625},"\u002Fblog\u002Fcan-you-extend-visitor-visa-600","Can You Extend a Visitor Visa 600 Inside Australia?","Want to stay longer in Australia on a Visitor visa? Learn whether you can extend your Subclass 600, how Condition 8503 affects your options, and the onshore application process.","2026-05-06","https:\u002F\u002Fvi.cdn.mcdn.cyou\u002Fblog\u002Fcan-you-extend-visitor-visa-600.webp"]