020 Bridging visa B (BVB)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Bridging visa B (Subclass 020)
Purpose	Travel during visa processing
Stay	Until substantive matter determined
Cost	Not stated; limited concessions
Eligibility timing	Apply and grant in Australia
Work rights	Only if BVB permits
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Single or multiple travel
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family members may be included
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Processing times	Not available
Age	Any age
Character	Must meet character requirement

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Purpose

The Bridging visa B (BVB) is a temporary visa for people in Australia who need to leave and return while their substantive visa application is being processed, or while judicial review proceedings are underway.

It allows you to remain lawful in Australia until the associated matter is determined and travel within a specified period.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted.
• Have previously held a substantive visa.
• Hold a Bridging visa A (BVA) or BVB.
• Have made a valid onshore substantive visa application that has not been finally determined; or have applied for judicial review within the prescribed timeframe.
• Have substantial reasons to travel outside Australia and return.
• Provide supporting evidence of the need to travel.
• Meet the character requirement.

For judicial review, the stated timeframe is 35 days from the Tribunal decision. Applying outside statutory timeframes may affect eligibility.

Stay and Visa Effect

A BVB takes effect either:

• When granted, if your substantive visa has ceased or the BVB is more beneficial; or
• When your current substantive visa ceases.

While a substantive visa remains in effect, you must comply with its conditions. BVB conditions apply once the substantive visa ceases.

A BVB cannot be extended. Apply for another visa if you need to stay longer.

When the BVB ends

For BVBs granted on or after 19 November 2016, it generally ends:

• 35 calendar days after refusal, an AAT decision, invalidity determination, or withdrawal of the substantive application or AAT review.
• 28 calendar days after a judicial review refusal decision or withdrawal of judicial review.

It may also cease if you are granted the associated substantive visa, your review is decided, or the visa is cancelled.

Check the exact end date in VEVO.

Work Rights and Conditions

Work rights depend on the conditions imposed on the BVB.

• You might be allowed to work if your previous substantive visa or pending visa permits work.
• If both visas have work restrictions, you cannot work on the BVB.
• Check conditions in your grant letter or VEVO.
• BVB conditions cannot be changed directly.
• To seek changed work conditions, apply for a BVA and prove financial hardship.

You must comply with all Australian laws and visa conditions.

Travel

The BVB travel facility may permit single or multiple travel until a specified date.

• You must be granted the BVB before leaving Australia.
• Travel is allowed only within the specified travel period.
• If the travel period has ended or lacks sufficient time for the journey, obtain a new BVB before departure.
• If you are outside Australia when the travel period ends, the BVB ceases and cannot be used to return.
• A separate BVB application is required if you have applied for judicial review and wish to travel.

Family Members

You may include family members if:

• You applied together for the substantive visa in Australia.
• They are members of your family unit.
• Each person independently meets BVB requirements.
• Each included person has substantial reasons to travel.

One application form and one visa application charge apply to included family members. Family members who do not need to travel may remain on their existing bridging visas.

Cost

The visa cost is not stated in the source. Limited concessions apply.

From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste pay a lower visa application cost when lodging a valid application using a valid passport from:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

If the lower cost is not recognised at lodgement, the Department will refund the difference.

Documents

Provide:

• Colour copy of your current passport’s photo, personal-details, issue and expiry pages.
• National identity card, if available.
• Evidence of name changes, if applicable.
• Documents supporting your substantial reason to travel.
• Police certificate, if requested.
• Child consent documents, where applicable.

Non-English documents must be translated into English. Translations completed in Australia must be by a NAATI-accredited translator.

Documents do not need to be certified. Submit clear colour scans or photographs.

Children

For a child under 18 who is not travelling with everyone legally entitled to decide where they live, provide either:

• Form 1229; or
• A statutory declaration consenting to the child travelling.

Include photo identification for the person giving consent.

How to Apply

Apply no more than 3 months, and no less than 2 weeks, before intended travel.

If the substantive visa was applied for online

Apply through ImmiAccount:

1. Log in to ImmiAccount.
2. Attach supporting documents.
3. Pay the visa application charge.

If the substantive visa was applied for on paper

1. Pay the visa application charge.
2. Complete BVB Form 1006.
3. Submit it through the Bridging visa webform.
4. Include payment receipt details.

If seeking merits or judicial review

Pay the visa application charge, then submit Form 1006 through the Bridging visa webform.

After Applying

• The Department will acknowledge receipt of the application and documents.
• Processing-time updates are not provided.
• Biometrics may be requested.
• Attach missing documents as soon as possible in ImmiAccount; webform applicants must attach all documents before submission.
• Tell the Department about changes to contact details, passport, a child’s birth, or withdrawal of the application.
• Correct mistakes using Form 1023.

The decision will be provided in writing. If granted, the notice will state the visa grant number, start date and applicable conditions.

Important Warnings

• Do not leave Australia before the BVB is granted; you may be unable to return.
• You cannot use a bridging visa while waiting for a citizenship application decision.
• A ceased BVB cannot be used to return to Australia.
• Maintain a valid visa while your substantive application is processed.
• Provide accurate information and documents.
• There is no passport label; the visa is digitally linked to your passport.