010 Bridging visa A (BVA)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Bridging visa A (BVA)
Subclass	010
Purpose	Await substantive visa outcome
Stay	Until application is determined
Cost	Free
Apply from	Australia only
Grant location	Australia only
Eligibility timing	Valid pending application required
Work rights	Depends on visa conditions
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	No return travel
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family unit may be included
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Processing times	Not available
Age	Any age
Application method	ImmiAccount or webform

---

Purpose

The Bridging visa A (BVA) is a temporary visa that generally lets a person remain lawfully in Australia while a substantive visa application is being processed. It can also apply while eligible judicial review proceedings are underway.

Nearly all bridging visas are applied for automatically when applying for a substantive visa. Check whether you already hold a BVA through VEVO.

A separate BVA application may be needed where:

• the substantive visa application did not include a BVA application
• a previous BVA or Bridging visa B has ceased
• seeking a further BVA without work restrictions
• applying for judicial review.

A bridging visa cannot be used while waiting for a citizenship application decision.

Eligibility

You must:

• be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted
• hold or have held a substantive visa
• have a valid substantive visa application not finally determined; or
• have applied for judicial review, within the prescribed timeframe, with proceedings not completed
• meet the character requirement.

There is no age limit.

Review timing

For judicial review, the stated timeframe is 35 days from the Tribunal’s decision. Applying outside statutory time limits may affect eligibility for a further bridging visa.

Stay and When It Takes Effect

A BVA may take effect when:

• it is granted, if the substantive visa has already ceased or the BVA is more beneficial
• the current substantive visa ceases
• a more beneficial bridging visa ceases.

If a substantive visa remains in effect, its conditions continue to apply. BVA conditions apply once the substantive visa ceases.

A BVA generally allows stay until the substantive visa application is finally determined. If linked to judicial proceedings, it allows stay until those proceedings are completed.

When the BVA ends

It ends immediately if:

• you leave Australia while it is in effect
• you are granted the substantive visa
• you are granted another related bridging visa, such as a BVB
• the BVA or relevant substantive visa is cancelled.

For BVAs granted on or after 19 November 2016, the visa generally ceases:

• 35 calendar days after refusal, certain invalidity decisions, or withdrawal of a substantive visa or AAT review application
• 28 calendar days after a judicial review refusal is upheld or a related judicial review is withdrawn.

Check your exact stay period in VEVO after notification of an outcome.

You cannot extend a BVA. Apply for another visa if you need to remain longer.

Work Rights

Work rights depend on the conditions imposed on the BVA. Check your grant letter or VEVO.

If your BVA prevents or restricts work, you may apply for another BVA with work rights. You will usually need to show financial hardship.

A further BVA allowing work cannot be granted if your current BVA restricts or prevents work and either:

• it was granted because you applied for judicial review; or
• you have applied for a protection visa.

If you do not meet the work requirements but remain eligible for a BVA, a new BVA may be granted with the same work restriction.

Family Members

Family members may be included if they are included in the substantive visa application.

If a family applied together for the substantive visa in Australia, they may already have applied together for a BVA. Check each person’s visa status in VEVO.

Each family member’s bridging visa eligibility is assessed separately.

Travel

A BVA does not allow return travel to Australia.

If you leave Australia while the BVA is in effect:

• the BVA ceases on departure
• you cannot return using that BVA.

To travel and return while the substantive visa application is being processed, obtain a Bridging visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia.

Obligations

You and any included family members must:

• comply with Australian laws
• comply with current visa conditions
• comply with BVA conditions once the BVA takes effect.

Check applicable conditions in VEVO or your visa grant notice.

After applying, notify the Department of changes including:

• address, telephone number, email, or passport details
• birth of a child
• withdrawal of the application.

Required Documents

Provide clear colour copies of:

• current passport pages showing photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates
• national identity card, if held
• evidence of any name change.

Name-change evidence may include a marriage or divorce certificate, official change-of-name documents, or evidence of other names used.

If seeking changed work conditions, provide evidence of hardship.

All non-English documents must be translated into English. Translations completed in Australia must be by a NAATI-accredited translator. Do not certify documents.

Scan or photograph documents in colour. Keep multi-page documents in one file.

How to Apply

From 1 August 2022, paper and in-person applications are no longer available.

Apply online using either ImmiAccount or the Bridging visa A, B and C online webform.

Apply using the same channel used for the substantive visa application:

1. Substantive visa lodged through ImmiAccount: apply for the BVA through ImmiAccount.
2. Substantive visa lodged by paper form: complete Form 1005 and submit it through the webform.
3. Applied for review: complete Form 1005 and submit it through the webform.

You and all included applicants must be in Australia when lodging and when the decision is made.

If applying by webform, attach all documents before submitting. Extra documents cannot be attached after submission.

After Applying

The Department will confirm receipt of the application and documents. Processing-time updates are not provided.

Submit early and ensure you continue holding a valid visa while the BVA and substantive visa applications are processed.

If you made a mistake, notify the Department promptly using Form 1023.

You will receive the decision in writing. If granted, the notice will state:

• visa grant number
• visa start date
• applicable visa conditions.

Keep a copy of the grant email while in Australia.

Important Warnings

• Do not leave Australia on an in-effect BVA unless you accept that it will cease.
• Obtain a BVB before departure if you need to return to Australia.
• Check VEVO for your visa status, work conditions, and exact cessation date.
• Provide accurate information and documents.
• A BVA is not a pathway to remain indefinitely; it cannot be extended.