Bridging Visa Melbourne | BVA, BVB, BVC, BVD, BVE
Specialist guidance for all Australian bridging visas. Understand travel and work conditions, when to apply for a BVB, and how to request work rights on BVC/BVE.
What is a Bridging Visa?
A bridging visa lets you lawfully stay in Australia while you wait for a visa decision, prepare a new application, or arrange departure. Different bridging visas have different travel and work conditions.
If you need to travel, you may need a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia. If you need work rights on a BVC/BVE, you may apply with evidence of financial hardship.
A separate, rarely used category — the Bridging Visa (Prospective Marriage) subclass 060 — exists for certain Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) applicants whose substantive visa has ceased. Most clients will not need it, but it is included here for completeness alongside BVA, BVB, BVC, BVD and BVE.
Authored by R. Weng — MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 1569835). LLM (Australian National University), LLB (Deakin), admitted to practice law in Victoria.
Bridging Visa Types
Quick guide to BVA, BVB, BVC, BVD, BVE
Bridging Visa B (BVB) Fee (1 July 2025 indexation; next indexation 1 July 2026)
Application Fee
$190
from 1 Jul 2025; reviewed 1 Jul 2026
Previous Fee
$185
until 30 Jun 2025
Notes
Non-refundable. Apply before travel. Provide compelling reasons.
Bridging Visa A (BVA)
- For applicants who lodged a new visa while holding a valid substantive visa
- No travel facility – get BVB before leaving
- Work rights depend on the visa applied for; many onshore partner BVAs have full work rights
Bridging Visa B (BVB)
- Travel permit for BVA holders to leave and return by a set date
- Lodge at least 2 weeks before travel — Home Affairs does not publish a fixed BVB processing time
- Do not travel until BVB is granted
Bridging Visa C (BVC)
- For applicants who lodged while not holding a substantive visa
- No travel facility – cannot obtain BVB
- Can request work rights if you show financial hardship
Bridging Visa D (BVD)
- Short-term visa to allow you to make a valid application or arrange departure
- Generally no travel facility
Bridging Visa E (BVE)
- For unlawful non-citizens to resolve their status or depart
- No travel facility; strict compliance conditions
- Work rights only in limited circumstances
Work Rights on Bridging Visas
How to request work rights (BVC/BVE)
- Prepare evidence of financial hardship (bank statements, living costs, support letters)
- Submit a permission-to-work request to the Department
- Explain why you need to work while your application is processing
- Wait for written approval before commencing work
Common work conditions
- Condition 8101 – No work (can request removal on hardship)
- Condition 8105 – Work limitation (hours limits similar to student rules)
- Some BVAs have unrestricted work depending on your lodgement
Travel While on a Bridging Visa
Getting a BVB (travel permit)
- Only for BVA holders with a pending application
- Lodge at least 2 weeks before travel — no fixed published processing time
- Don't depart until your BVB is granted
When travel is not allowed
- BVC and BVE holders generally cannot get a BVB
- BVA ceases on departure if you don't hold a BVB
BVE while awaiting tribunal review (ART, formerly AAT)
A large share of BVE grants involve people whose substantive visa was refused or cancelled and who have applied for merits review. Since 14 October 2024 that review is handled by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — the statutory successor to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). A BVE typically keeps the applicant lawful while the ART decision is pending, subject to compliance conditions in the grant notice.
Family-violence pathways for BVE applicants remain available in line with the post-2024 reforms, including continued access to support and (where eligibility is met) work rights. If you are on a BVE with an ART application pending and conditions have changed — for example, you can no longer support yourself, or family violence has occurred — request advice early rather than waiting for the tribunal date.
Quick Comparison
| Visa | Fee | Work Rights | Travel | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVA (010) | $0 | Usually same as previous visa | No | Until decision |
| BVB (020) | $190 | Same as BVA | Yes (temporary) | Specified (usually 3 months) |
| BVC (030) | $0 | No (unless approved) | No | Until decision |
| BVD (040/041) | $0 | No | No | Up to 28 days (5 working days for prescribed evidence) |
| BVE (050/051) | $0 | Varies (often restricted) | No | Specified period |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about bridging visas
Need help with your bridging visa?
Get a free assessment from our MARA-registered Melbourne migration agent.