Can I leave or travel outside of Australia on a bridging visa

What is a bridging visa?

Traveling on a bridging visa? Unsure about how to travel on a Bridging visa? Look no further. This comprehensive piece will help you answer your questions. 

Bridging visas are temporary visas that are granted to provide lawful status while a person makes arrangements to depart the country. These visas are transitory visas which permit a person to remain in Australia for a certain period of time while their immigration status is resolved. They can be issued while a person waits for the processing of their application for another substantive visa, or after the expiration of a substantive visa. They can also be granted when a person is already in another class, or the same class, or Bridging Visa. Most of these bridging visas only activate once your current visa expires, so it is essential to know the date because this will affect when you can travel outside of Australia and if you are eligible to return. 

There are six different types of bridging visas, each with slightly varied rights; some of them let the holder work, study, and travel outside of Australia. In general, the type of immigration status and the privileges associated with it are determined by an individual's previous immigration status. 

At Australian Migration Lawyers, we are experienced in assisting clients navigate Australia’s Bridging visa system, so for readers that require tailored advice or have specific questions, contact us today.

Australian bridging visa types 

What can you do on each Bridging Visa

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Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010 - BVA)

Bridging Visa A is a temporary visa. This visa allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while your new substantive visa application is being processed. BVA is the most common bridging visa as it is granted automatically when you make a valid application onshore for a substantive visa while still holding your previous visa. 

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If the substantive visa you had or the visa you applied for permits you to work then you might be allowed to work under BVA. Your grant letter should outline the conditions that apply to your BVA.

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You do not have any travel rights under this visa. If you leave Australia your BVA will cease and you will need a new visa to re-enter Australia.

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Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020 - BVB)

This is also a temporary visa. BVB has similar attributes to BVA such as that it allows you to stay in Australia lawfully while waiting for the decision of your substantive visa application while also allowing you to travel.

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If the substantive visa you had or the visa you applied for permits you to work then you might be allowed to work under BVB. It is important that you check the conditions that apply to your BVB before commencing work. 

If your BVB has work restrictions on the other hand, you may need to consider applying for working rights[/td]

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BVB allows you to temporarily depart and re-enter Australia within a specified travel period.[/td]

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Bridging Visa C (Subclass 030 - BVC)

Bridging Visa C is applicable for those who do not have a valid visa and have lodged a valid application onshore. For example, applicants that have overstayed and become unlawful, and later on applied for a specific substantive visa onshore. This visa allows you to stay in Australia while waiting for a decision on your application for a visa review. 

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Working rights are not usually and automatically granted unless the substantive visa you have applied for is one of the following:
Business Talent visa (subclass 132)

• Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
• Skilled — Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled — Nominated visa (subclass 190) 
• Skilled — Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)

However, if you can demonstrate financial hardships, you may be eligible to apply for a BVC with work rights.[/td]

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BVC does not allow you to travel overseas. If you leave Australia while this is in effect you will not be able to return on it. A BVC will cease upon departure if you leave while it's in-effect.

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Bridging Visa E (Subclass 050/051 - BVE)

Bridging Visa E permits you to stay lawfully in Australia while you make arrangements to finalise your immigration matter or await until your immigration status is resolved. 

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You may be allowed to work under BVE depending on the conditions of your BVE. If you wish to commence work, you must apply for a new BVE and demonstrate financial hardship. If you commence work when you are not allowed to, the Department can cancel your BVE and detain you. You can also be potentially removed from Australia.

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BVE permits you to stay in Australia lawfully for a short period of time. Once you depart Australia, this visa will immediately end and you will not be able to re-enter Australia unless you have a valid substantive visa.

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When can you travel on a BVB?

Of all the Australian Bridging Visas, only the Bridging visa B (BVB) will allow you to leave and re-enter Australia whilst waiting for the decision of your new substantive visa application. 

If you are under a different type of Bridging Visa, it is essential that you apply for a BVB before you depart Australia as your visa will cease once you depart and you may not be able to return to Australia until your substantive visa is granted. 

The requirements for BVB are as follows:

• You are holding a Bridging Visa A (BVA)
• You are awaiting a decision on an application that is yet to be finalised or is at judicial review 
• You have a reasonable reasons for leaving Australia while you wait for the outcome of your substantive visa application

Bridging Visa B is granted with a specific travel period. When the Department determines the BVB travel period, they will consider the requirements above. Therefore, it is important that you provide reasoning and evidence of your reasons or intentions for traveling outside Australia. Along with your BVB visa grant notice is the information about your specified travel period. You can leave and re-enter Australia during this defined travel period. 

You can hold a substantive visa whilst having a BVB. If your substantive visa is still valid, you may use this to leave and return to Australia, but if you think that this might expire before you return to Australia, you will need to choose to apply for a BVB to allow you to re-enter Australia. 

When does the travel period end on a BVB?

The conditions stipulated on the BVB will identify when the travel facility expires.
It is crucial that you adhere to the BVB's recommended travel window since this visa may also be revoked. For instance, the visa will cease if you are outside Australia when the defined  travel period on your BVB ends. This would mean that you will not be able to return to Australia and will either need to wait until your substantive visa gets approved or be granted another visa before you can re-enter. But if you are in Australia when the defined travel period ends and you need to travel overseas again, you will need to apply for another BVB. 

Can I leave or travel outside Australia on a bridging visa?

While bridging visas permit you to remain in Australia lawfully, only the Bridging Visa B (BVB) will allow you to leave and re-enter Australia while you wait for your substantive visa application decision. So if you are planning to travel under a bridging visa, it is important that you apply for a Bridging visa B and check that you are eligible. 

How to get advice on traveling with bridging visas?

If you are unsure if your bridging visa permits you to travel outside Australia, it is important to seek legal advice. It is crucial for applicants to understand each bridging visa type's criteria, work rights, and conditions to avoid applying for the wrong visa category. Navigating the complexities of bridging visas can be difficult. Our team at Australian Migration Lawyers can provide you with tailored advice based on your circumstances.

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