If you have ever applied for an Australian visa while already living in Australia, chances are you have come across the term “bridging visa.” But what exactly are they, and what is the difference between a Bridging Visa A (BVA) and a Bridging Visa B (BVB)?
At Aspire Australia, we get questions about bridging visas all the time — and for good reason. They can be the difference between staying legally in Australia or becoming unlawful. Let’s break it down.
What Is a Bridging Visa in Australia?
Think of a bridging visa as a placeholder — a temporary visa that keeps you lawfully in Australia while your substantive visa application (a “real” visa) is being processed.
When you lodge a new visa application in Australia before your current visa expires, the Department of Home Affairs automatically attaches a bridging visa to your application. This means that even if your current visa expires during processing, you don’t need to panic. Your bridging visa kicks in and keeps you in legal status.
There are several types of bridging visas, but the two most commonly encountered by our clients are the Bridging Visa A (BVA) and the Bridging Visa B (BVB).
Bridging Visa A (BVA): You Can Stay, But You Cannot Leave
The BVA is given to you automatically when you apply for a new visa while you are in Australia and your current visa is still valid.
What the BVA allows you to do:
- Stay in Australia legally while your new visa is being processed
- Work — in most cases, if your current visa lets you work, your BVA will too (but always check, as this is not guaranteed)
- Study in some situations
The big catch with a BVA:
A BVA does not allow you to travel overseas and come back to Australia. If you leave the country while holding only a BVA, your BVA will be cancelled, and you will not be able to return to Australia on it.
This is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see. Someone travels home to visit family, not realising their BVA stops working the moment they leave.
If you need to travel, you must first obtain a Bridging Visa B.
Bridging Visa B (BVB): Your Permission to Travel
The BVB works just like the BVA, but it also allows you to travel overseas and return to Australia within a set period.
You need to apply for a BVB — it’s not automatic.
Unlike the BVA, the BVB must be specifically applied for before you depart Australia. You cannot apply for a BVB once you’ve already left the country.
What the BVB allows you to do:
- Travel overseas and return to Australia within the approved travel dates
- Keep your visa application active while you are away
- Work under the same conditions as your BVA (in most cases)
Key things to know about the BVB:
- Your approved travel dates are decided when your BVB is granted — once those dates pass, you cannot use the BVB to come back
- If you stay overseas longer than your approved dates, you will need a new BVB (or another valid visa) to return
- When you apply, be very clear about when you plan to travel — the Department will usually match your approved dates to what you request.
BVA vs BVB: A Quick Comparison
| BVA | BVB | |
| Automatic? | Yes (in most cases) | No, you must apply |
| Work rights? | Usually yes | Usually yes |
| Can you travel overseas? | No | Yes — within approved dates |
| Must apply before leaving? | N/A | Yes — essential |
| Is there a cost? | Usually none | Application fee applies |
When Does a Bridging Visa Start?
Here is something that many people do not realise: a BVA does not always start straight away.
If your current visa is still valid when you receive your BVA, the BVA will wait in the background. It only becomes active once your current visa expires. At that point, it switches on automatically — you do not need to do anything.
This means you could have a BVA sitting behind your current visa without knowing it. Once your current visa ends, the BVA takes over and keeps you in legal status.
What About the Right to Work?
Work rights on a bridging visa can vary. In most cases, the work rights from your previous visa will carry across to your BVA or BVB — but this is not always guaranteed.
For example:
- If your previous visa allowed you to work, your BVA will usually allow this too
- If your previous visa did not include work rights (for example, a visitor visa), your BVA may not include work rights either
- In some situations, you may be able to apply for work rights on your BVA — for example, if you can show financial hardship.
This is why it is so important to check your visa conditions carefully — and to speak with a migration agent rather than assume.
What About International Students?
This is a question we hear a lot — and yes, bridging visas are very relevant for international students.
Many graduates finish their studies, apply for a new visa (such as an Employer-Sponsored visa), and find themselves on a BVA while they wait for a decision. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about — as long as you understand what your BVA allows you to do.
The graduate-to-sponsored pathway
One of the most common situations we see is this:
- You finish your studies in Australia
- An employer agrees to sponsor you for a work visa
- Your student visa expires while the sponsored visa is being processed
- Your BVA keeps you in Australia legally during this time
This can be a long wait — employer-sponsored visa processing can take many months. A bridging visa means you can continue working for your sponsoring employer and living in Australia while you wait.
What international students need to watch:
- Work hours — your BVA work rights are usually based on your previous visa. If your student visa had hour limits, check whether those still apply on your BVA.
- Travel — if you need to travel home during the wait, you must apply for a BVB before you leave. Many students make the mistake of travelling without one.
- Timing your application — to receive a BVA, your new visa application must be lodged while your student visa is still valid. If your student visa has already expired, you may not be eligible for a BVA.
The time between finishing your studies and securing a sponsored visa can feel uncertain. Knowing how your bridging visa works — and getting the right advice — makes a big difference.
Common Bridging Visa Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
We have seen these happen too many times. Here is what to watch out for:
Travelling overseas on a BVA. If you leave Australia without a BVB, your bridging visa is cancelled, and you cannot return on it. This can seriously affect your visa application.
Letting BVB travel dates expire while overseas. Always check your approved return date before you fly home. If those dates have passed, you will have a problem at the border.
Assuming you have work rights. Do not assume — check your visa conditions in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) or ask your migration agent.
Not applying for a BVB before leaving. Once you have left Australia, it is too late to apply. There are no exceptions.
Applying for a new visa after your current visa expires. If your visa has already expired when you lodge your new application, you will not receive a BVA. You need to apply while your visa is still valid.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re currently in Australia on a bridging visa — or expecting to receive one soon — here’s our simple checklist:
- Check your visa conditions on VEVO — confirm your work rights and travel entitlements
- Do not travel overseas without a valid BVB — apply for it well before your departure date
- Keep track of your BVB travel period — know your approved return date and plan around it
- Talk to a registered migration agent if anything is unclear
Bridging visas are temporary by nature, but the decisions you make while holding one can have long-lasting consequences for your migration journey.
Let Aspire Australia Guide You
Bridging visas are one of those areas where the details really matter. A missed step or a misunderstood condition can derail an otherwise perfectly planned visa application.
At Aspire Australia, we’ve been helping clients navigate Australia’s migration system for over 25 years. Whether you’re waiting on a partner visa, an employer-sponsored visa , or a skilled migration application — we can review your bridging visa conditions and make sure you’re on the right track.
Don’t leave it to chance. Book an appointment with our team today, and let’s make sure your bridging visa works for you — not against you.
Because getting it right the first time is always better than fixing it later.
