Skilled and Talent Visas
What Is a Bridging Visa in Australia?
If you’re navigating the Australian immigration process, you’ve probably come across the term Bridging Visa. But what exactly is it, and why might you need one?
A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that allows you to legally stay in Australia while your new visa application is being processed, or in some cases, while you make arrangements to depart the country. Think of it as a “visa gap filler”—ensuring you maintain lawful status during transitions between visas.
While Bridging Visas can provide important protections, they are not the same as a permanent visa and often come with specific conditions and limitations. Understanding your rights and responsibilities while holding a Bridging Visa is essential to maintaining your immigration status.
Types of Bridging Visas
There are several types of Bridging Visas, but here are the most common:
Bridging Visa A (BVA): Uusually granted automatically to individuals who apply for a new visa while they are in Australia and still hold a valid visa.
It allows you to remain in the country legally while awaiting a decision.
A Bridging Visa A generally comes into effect when your current substantive visa expires. However, it does not allow you to leave and return to Australia. If you travel overseas while holding a BVA, it will usually cease and you may need another visa to return.
Bridging Visa B (BVB): Like a BVA, but with the added benefit of allowing you to travel overseas and return to Australia while your substantive visa application is being processed.
Requires a separate application.
A BVB is the only Bridging Visa that allows eligible holders to travel internationally and return to Australia while waiting for another visa decision. Applicants should ensure they have a valid BVB before leaving Australia.
Bridging Visa C (BVC): For applicants who apply for a visa while in Australia but do not hold a valid substantive visa at the time of application. A bridging visa is not deemed to be a ‘substantive’ visa.
Can take a little while to be granted, but is also usually automatic.
Bridging Visa E (BVE): Often granted to people who are in Australia unlawfully, allowing them to stay legally while they finalise immigration matters or make arrangements to leave.
Requires a separate application and may need the applicant to appear at a Immigration office in person.
What Can You Do on a Bridging Visa?
Your rights on a Bridging Visa depend on the type of visa granted. Some Bridging Visas allow work and study rights, while others have restrictions.
Some Bridging Visa holders may be eligible for access to Medicare depending on their visa type, application status, and country of citizenship. Others may need to maintain private health insurance while waiting for a visa decision.
It is important to check your individual visa conditions, as Bridging Visa holders may have restrictions around activities such as work, study, travel, and applying for further visas.
Common Bridging Visa conditions include:
8101 – No Work
8547 – Not work for one employer for more than 6 months
8501 – Maintain adequate health insurance
8607 – Must work only in nominated occupation
Can You Apply for Another Visa While on a Bridging Visa?
A Bridging Visa is a temporary solution and does not automatically provide a pathway to another visa. In some circumstances, you may be limited in the types of visas you can apply for while holding a Bridging Visa.
Bridging Visa holders in Australia who have had a visa refused are generally barred from applying for most visas while still onshore.
Changing Your Bridging Visa Conditions
If your circumstances change, you may be able to request changes to certain Bridging Visa conditions. This may include applying for:
- Permission to work if your Bridging Visa does not currently allow work
- A waiver of the six-month work limitation on Working Holiday visas in certain circumstances
Any request to change conditions must be supported by evidence and depends on your individual situation and visa type.
Why Bridging Visas Matter
Bridging Visas are crucial for ensuring that you maintain lawful status while your visa application is pending. Becoming unlawful can lead to serious consequences, including detention or being barred from re-entering Australia.
Staying informed about your visa conditions, keeping your details updated with the Department, and seeking advice if your circumstances change can help you avoid breaching your visa requirements.
Common Scenarios for Bridging Visas
- Applying for a new visa while already in Australia
- Waiting for a decision on a visa application
- Wanting to travel overseas while awaiting a decision on a visa
- Making arrangements to leave the country voluntarily
Need Help With Your Bridging Visa?
At AVIE, we help clients understand their visa conditions and ensure they stay compliant every step of the way. Whether you’re waiting for your permanent visa, managing a refusal, or need to travel while a decision is pending—we’re here to guide you with clear advice and a tailored strategy.
Want to know what type of Bridging Visa you might need? Get in touch with our team today for personalised advice.
Hold a 491 Visa and Planning to Apply for a 191 Visa?
If you’re currently holding a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa and are planning to apply for a 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, there are several important steps to take—not just when you’re ready to apply, but from the day your 491 visa is granted.
The decisions you make during your three years on a Subclass 491 visa can have a significant impact on your eligibility for permanent residency. Keeping accurate records and complying with your visa conditions from the beginning will help make your future Subclass 191 application much smoother.
What to Do as Soon as Your 491 Visa is Granted
If you are already in Australia when your Subclass 491 visa is granted, you should relocate to your designated regional area as soon as possible. Your visa requires you to live, work and study only in an eligible regional area.
You should also enrol in Medicare (if eligible) as soon as your visa becomes active to ensure you have access to Australia’s public healthcare system.
It is also a good idea to begin keeping records of your employment, residential addresses and tax documents from the start of your visa, as these may be required when you later apply for permanent residency.
Comply with Your 491 Visa Conditions
Live, work, and study in a designated regional area. Ensure you have complied with the conditions of your 491 visa by residing and working in a designated regional area for at least three years.
Prove your income. You must be able to demonstrate taxable income for each of the three years you held the 491 visa. Make sure to keep documentation such as tax returns and payslips to support your application.
Subclass 491 visa holders are also subject to important visa conditions, including:
- Condition 8578 – You must notify the Department of Home Affairs or your Registered Migration Agent if certain personal details change, including your contact details and employment.
- Condition 8579 – You must live, work and study only in a designated regional area throughout your visa.
Failing to comply with these conditions could affect your eligibility for the Subclass 191 visa.
Keep Evidence Throughout Your Visa
The Subclass 191 visa requires applicants to demonstrate they have met the eligibility requirements throughout their time on the 491 visa.
You should keep copies of:
- Notice of Assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office for each of the three financial years before lodging your Subclass 191 application
- Payslips
- Employment contracts
- Employer reference letters
- Residential lease agreements or other proof of address
- Utility bills (where applicable)
- Study records if you completed study in regional Australia
Dependent applicants (such as your partner or children) may also be asked to provide evidence that they lived, worked or studied in regional Australia during the qualifying period.
Prepare Your Documentation
Gather all necessary documents such as proof of residence in a regional area, employment records, tax documents and any other supporting evidence required for your application.
Having organised records from the beginning of your 491 visa can significantly reduce delays when preparing your permanent residency application.
Apply for a 191 Visa
It is not possible to apply for a 191 visa until you have held your Subclass 491 visa for at least three years.
Once eligible, you can submit your application for permanent residency. If approved, the Subclass 191 visa allows you and your eligible family members to remain permanently in Australia.
Seek Professional Advice
The application process can be complex, and mistakes may delay or jeopardise your application.
Consulting a registered migration agent can help ensure you understand your obligations throughout your 491 visa and prepare a strong application for permanent residency.
Need Help with Your Application?
Navigating the transition from a Subclass 491 visa to permanent residency can be challenging. Contact Australian Visa & Immigration Experts (AVIE) for personalised advice and assistance with your Subclass 191 visa application.