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Next Previous

I’m running out of time… Can I get a bridging visa?

VisaOne VisaOne 27 July, 2015

Bridging visas are some of the most complex visas out there.  It is not because they are difficult to apply for, but because of how they operate. Understanding how each one relates to another will depend on your situation.

In most situations you can get a bridging visa if you are applying for a valid substantive visa whilst you are in Australia. This is because the bridging visa is attached to an actual application. The only instance where you can apply directly for a type of bridging visa is if you are the holder of a current bridging visa (that is in effect) or if you do not hold a visa at all (and you are seeking to become lawful).

To help you understand Australian bridging visas, here are the top 3 things to remember:

  1. Bridging visas are coded alphabetically A,B, C, D, E, etc.
  2. You can only progress forward along the alphabet, e.g. A to B, or C to E and so on, however once you have passed a lettered bridging visa, you cannot go backwards in the alphabet to a previous lettered bridging visa.
  3. Bridging visas are not indefinite, as some believe them to be – they have a finite period of validity and they also have visa conditions, just like substantive (normal) visas, so you have to be aware of when they expire and the conditions you must abide by.

Below is a list of the most common bridging visas. See which one best applies to your situation.

 

BRIDGING VISA A

  • Bridging Visa A is the most common bridging visa because this is “automatically” granted when you apply for another substantive visa whilst you are in Australia (onshore).
  • Bridging Visa A’s are granted as an operation of law. This means that you cannot apply for it directly. It has to be attached to a valid visa application in Australia. The Bridging Visa A helps to keep you lawful in Australia in case Immigration processes your new visa application beyond the expiration date of your current visa.
  • The Bridging Visa A only comes into effect once your current substantive visa expires.
  • The Bridging Visa A keeps you lawful for exactly 28 days after a decision has been made on your new application. Should your new application be refused, the Bridging Visa A will still be in effect until 28 days after the refusal of your application.
  • Bridging Visa A’s inherits the same visa conditions as your previous visa (with some exceptions, depending on what kind of visa you are applying for), so you have to continue to abide by your visa conditions whilst on your Bridging Visa A.
  • Bridging Visa A’s do not come with “permission to travel“. This means that you cannot re-enter Australia on a Bridging Visa A if you happen to leave Australia. If you happen to leave Australia on a Bridging Visa A, it will automatically be voided when you depart and you will not be permitted to return to Australia without holding a new valid substantive visa (which you will need to apply for in order to re-enter Australia). On the same note, if you travel on your currently valid visa, your Bridging Visa A (though granted, but not in effect yet) is also automatically voided without any notification.
  • If your current visa is still valid, whilst waiting for your new visa application to be finalized, then you can travel, but you must come back before your valid visa expires. You can then apply for the reinstatement of the Bridging Visa A.

 

BRIDGING VISA B

  • Simply put, this is a “travel” bridging visa. If you are currently on a Bridging Visa A and you wish to travel, you can apply for a Bridging Visa B.  This will give you a permit to re-enter Australia after leaving temporarily (usually within 3 months).
  • If your previous visa is still valid and your Bridging Visa A has not come into effect yet, then you are not eligible to apply for a Bridging Visa B.

 

BRIDGING VISA C

  • A Bridging Visa C is granted to a person who is applying for a valid substantive visa, but is not a holder of a current substantive visa.
  • In situations where you do not have a substantive visa at the time of applying for a new visa, you must seek professional advice to make sure that you can meet any special criteria for the new visa you intend on applying for.
  • A Bridging Visa C operates in the same way as a Bridging Visa A, meaning there is no permission to travel. Unlike Bridging Visa A, you cannot apply for a Bridging Visa B once you have a Bridging Visa C (refer to Number 2 of Top 3 Things to Remember above). Technically you can leave the country, but you will not be permitted to return to Australia.
  • If you accidentally leave the country on a Bridging Visa C, you may be subject to a 3-Year Exclusion Period where you cannot apply for any temporary visas to return to Australia.

 

BRIDGING VISA E

  • A Bridging Visa E is similar to a Bridging Visa C in the sense that it applies to situations where you are not the holder of a substantive visa (or any visa at all) at the time of applying for a specific visa.
  • A Bridging Visa E can be associative, meaning it is attached to specific matter (such as a visa application, or a Migration Review Tribunal application, or a Ministerial application, etc.).
  • A Bridging Visa E can also be applied for directly, if you simply want to legalize your status prior to departing Australia or seeking advice towards your next visa application (if possible).
  • Bridging Visa E’s come with plethora of visa conditions attached to it that may limit your ability to study, work, and travel. It also comes with stringent procedures in relation to the expiration date of the visa, which enables Immigration to closely monitor how you are going with your arrangements to depart the country, or to lodge a valid application (with Immigration, the MRT, the Minister’s Office, or to the courts).

Every person’s situation is different and your situation may require a more strategic approach, especially if you are unlawful. It is very important to know all your possible options, and make an educated decision about how you wish to resolve your situation. Seek help if you need it. A professional’s advice may be all it takes to secure your future and your family’s future.

 

  • Avatar
    Gaurav March 23, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Hi,

    I recently applied for a subsequent entrant to my wife’s 485 visa. I had applied for the visa via express post on the 19 March, they received on 20 March. My visa ran out on 22 March.

    And I am confused here, if they have even processed it through or not as I have not received any confirmation or grants. Can I know if they process it through that I would be granted a BVA or something else?

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 25, 2019 at 11:00 am

      Hi Gaurav,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    KIT March 23, 2019 at 8:09 am

    Hi,
    I have my postgrad completing this term and have a new visa until 24th April 2019 (granted recently just for a month duration as opposed to two months we applied). I know I would still have roughly three weeks to prepare for my departure but a bit tight schedule because I intend to visit some places and relatives outside NSW. My question: would I be eligible for a Bridging visa and if so, can I apply it now or wait until the current visa expires (not sure if this might be complicating)? It might sound not least genuine but would appreciate your advice, please. Thanks

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 25, 2019 at 10:59 am

      Hi Kit,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Milan Tamang March 20, 2019 at 11:53 am

    Hi, there
    we came to know that our student visa expires on the 15th of March 019 on 17th of March 019. we applied for the visa and we are wondering what kind of bridging visa we will get. And how long it would take to get the bridging visa? and are we allowed to do work if we get the bridging visa c? Does this case of negligence make any differences in the near future if we apply for the TR or PR?
    please do reply to me.
    thank you

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 21, 2019 at 11:17 am

      Hi Milan,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Kim March 19, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    Hi there,
    I got student visa refused since August 2017. I’ve just attended the hearing on early in March 2019. However my COE will end on 14 April 2019. I’m just wondering if I don’t get the AAT decision by the end of my course. What should I do? Can I still stay lawfully to wait for the AAT decision after I finish my course or I need to leave the country and how lond I can stay after my course complete?

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 20, 2019 at 10:52 am

      Hi Kim,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    nicole March 19, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    my partners job is going through the process of sponsoring him, unfortunately we only have 2 months left on our 417 visa which isn’t enough time to get all the paper work processed. is there any way around this could he apply for a bridging visa or is there another option any info would be great

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 20, 2019 at 10:52 am

      Hi Nicole,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Rajesh March 14, 2019 at 10:12 pm

    Hi,

    I have applied for a 485 visa on 13th March and I have received bridging visa but my husband did not receive bridging visa yet and our visa expires on March 15th 2019. What we have to do in this situation.

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 15, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Hi Rajesh,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Shilpa March 14, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    Hi,

    I have applied for a 485 visa on 13th March and I have received bridging visa but my husband did not receive bridging visa yet and our visa expires on March 15th 2019. What we have to do in this situation.

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 15, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Hi Shilpa,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Madeleine March 14, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    My student visa is expiring tomorrow and I have no information on whether I’m going to get a bridging visa or if my new student visa application has been accepted. I am worried about when I will get this information and what will happen as of tomorrow

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 15, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Hi Madeleine,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Tony March 13, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    I applied for a 485 (graduate work stream) visa on the 12th of March and I only received the letter of ‘IMMI Acknowledgement of Application Received’ . I am the primary applicant and my wife being the secondary applicant, but, we both haven’t received a bridging visa yet. My current student visa expires on the 15th of March. I am worry if there is any chance we might not get a bridging visa? What happens if the bridging visa is granted a day or two after the current visa expires?

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 14, 2019 at 10:50 am

      Hi Tony,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Harris Umer March 12, 2019 at 1:59 am

    Hi,

    I’m in Australia and my study extended visa is expiring on 19 march as i completed my bachelors in december . I applied for my temporary residence on 12 of january, now my parents have arranged my marriage due to which i have to go to pakistan on 25th march for 40 days. My question is that will i be able to re enter australia? I am plannig to apply bridge visa as my TR is under process. Please help what should i do.

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 12, 2019 at 11:06 am

      Hi Harris,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    navjot March 5, 2019 at 9:50 am

    Hi my student visa expires on 15 march but i did not apply for police check i am applying today is there any way that i can attach the results after 15 coz it may take time to recieve results rest of documents i will submit before 15
    Thanks

    • VisaOne
      VisaOne March 5, 2019 at 11:14 am

      Hi Navjot,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email

  • Avatar
    Mandy February 28, 2019 at 7:05 am

    Hi There
    My 485 Visa is expiring on March end 2019. I haven’t applied for EOI since I don’t have sufficient points.
    Is there any possible way to change into any other Visa and stay in Australia.

    Please advice me.
    Thank you

    • VisaOne