BVABridging
Bridging visa ASubclass 010
Granted when you apply for a substantive visa while holding one. Starts when your current visa ends. Does not allow travel.
Home / Bridging & residency
Bridging & residency visas
Bridging visas keep you lawful while an application or review is decided. Resident Return visas let permanent residents keep travelling.
Bridging and resident return visas
Choose your visa
Stay lawful while your application or review is decided, and keep your permanent residence when you travel.
BVA Bridging visa A Keeps you lawful in Australia when you apply for a new visa while holding a substantive visa. It starts when your current visa ends. View visa → BVB Bridging visa B Lets a bridging visa A or B holder travel overseas and return while their visa application is processed. View visa → BVC Bridging visa C Keeps you lawful while your application is processed if you applied for a visa when you did not hold a substantive visa. View visa → BVE Bridging visa E For people who are unlawful or about to become unlawful, to give time to make arrangements to leave, resolve their status, or while a review or ministerial request is considered. View visa → Subclass 155 Resident Return visa (five years) Lets permanent residents and former citizens keep travelling to and from Australia after their original travel facility has expired. View visa → Subclass 157 Resident Return visa (three months) A short travel facility for permanent residents who have spent less than two years in Australia in the last five years, but have compelling reasons for their absence. View visa →
How we help
How we keep you lawful
Every matter starts with an honest assessment of your circumstances against the current criteria, so you know your real options before you spend money on an application.
Check your status
We confirm which bridging visa you hold, or will be granted, and the conditions attached to it.
Work and study rights
If your bridging visa limits work, we check whether you can apply for permission to work.
Travel
We advise whether you can travel and return, including whether a Bridging visa B is available to you.
Staying lawful
We make sure you apply for a new visa or bridging visa in time if your current one is ending.
Permanent residents who travel
We assess your eligibility for a Resident Return visa (155 or 157) before your travel facility expires.
Registered migration agentMARN 1463685Bound by the MARA Code of Conduct
Honest assessment firstWe check every criterion before you apply
Community languagesAccredited translations arranged for your documents
Auburn, phone or videoClients across Sydney, Australia and overseas
Bridging visas
Staying lawful in Australia
A bridging visa is usually granted automatically when you lodge a valid application in Australia, but its conditions vary. Travelling on the wrong bridging visa can end your right to return.
BVBBridging
Bridging visa BSubclass 020
Lets a BVA or BVB holder travel overseas and return within a set period while the application is processed.
- Apply before you book travel; it must be granted before you leave
- From 1 November 2026, not available if you have an undecided protection visa application, or are seeking Tribunal or court review of a protection refusal
BVCBridging
Bridging visa CSubclass 030
Granted when you apply for a substantive visa while not holding one. Usually no travel and limited work rights.
BVEBridging
Bridging visa ESubclass 050 / 051
For people who are unlawful or about to become unlawful, to give time to make arrangements to leave, resolve their status, or while a review or ministerial request is considered.
- Some grants, including some to protection visa applicants, can include conditions 8564 (no criminal conduct) and 8566 (code of behaviour) from 1 November 2026
Staying lawful
Bridging visa essentials
Before you travel
A bridging visa A ends when you leave Australia. Apply for a bridging visa B, wait for it to be granted, and return before it ends.
Work rights
Your bridging visa may allow work, restrict work, or not allow work at all. In some cases you can apply for permission to work.
If you become unlawful
A bridging visa E can give you time to make arrangements, seek review or resolve your status. Contact us immediately.
Resident Return
Resident Return visas
A permanent visa gives you a five-year travel facility. Once it expires you need a Resident Return visa to come back to Australia as a permanent resident.
155Subclass
Resident Return visa (five years)Permanent
For permanent residents and former citizens who have spent at least two of the last five years in Australia, or have substantial ties to Australia of benefit to the country.
157Subclass
Resident Return visa (three months)Permanent
For permanent residents who have been in Australia during the last five years but less than two years in total, and have compelling reasons for travel.
Questions
Bridging and resident return visa questions
Can I travel overseas on a bridging visa A?
No. A bridging visa A ends when you leave Australia. Apply for a bridging visa B and wait until it is granted before you travel.
I have applied for a protection visa. Can I get a bridging visa B to travel?
No. Since 1 November 2026, people with an undecided protection visa application, or seeking Tribunal or court review of a protection refusal, can't get a bridging visa B. Leaving Australia would mean you can't return on a bridging visa.
Does time on a bridging visa count towards citizenship?
Time in Australia on a bridging visa can count as lawful residence, but the requirement to have been a permanent resident for the last 12 months still applies.
My bridging visa says no work. Can that change?
In some cases you can apply for a new bridging visa with permission to work, for example if you can show financial hardship.
When does a bridging visa end?
It usually ends a set time after a final decision on your application or review. Check with us before relying on it.
Planning travel while an application is pending?
Check your bridging visa with us before you book.