050 Bridging visa E (BVE) (subclass 050)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Bridging visa E (BVE), subclass 050
Purpose	Remain lawful while resolving status
Stay	Temporary; until date, period or event
Cost	No application fee
Eligibility timing	In Australia at lodgement and grant
Work rights	Only if grant letter permits
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Ends immediately upon departure
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Visa label	No passport label issued
Processing	Check processing time guide
Age	Any age; minors apply with parent/guardian

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Purpose

The Bridging visa E (BVE) lets you stay lawfully in Australia while you:

• make arrangements to leave Australia
• apply for a substantive visa
• seek merits or judicial review of a visa or citizenship decision, or
• seek ministerial intervention.

A substantive visa is any visa other than a bridging, criminal justice or enforcement visa.

BVE Types

• Bridging (General) visa — subclass 050: Generally for unlawful non-citizens, BVE 050 holders or Bridging visa D (subclass 041) holders.
• Bridging (Protection Visa Applicant) visa — subclass 051: Used in limited situations for certain eligible non-citizens while a protection visa application is finalised.

Eligibility

You must:

• be an unlawful non-citizen, hold a BVE 050, or hold a Bridging visa D (subclass 041) when applying
• be making arrangements to depart, applying for a substantive visa, or seeking review or ministerial intervention
• meet the character requirement
• be in Australia when lodging the application and when the decision is made.

You can apply at any age. Applicants under 18 should apply with their parent or guardian.

A BVE application cannot be made in anticipation of becoming unlawful. If your substantive visa remains in effect, consider other visa options and apply for a BVE only after it expires.

In some cases, a valid substantive visa application made in Australia also results in a BVE application. The Department will tell you if this applies; you do not need to lodge a separate BVE application.

Stay and End of Visa

The BVE is valid until:

• a specified date
• a specified period, or
• a specified event occurs.

It ends if:

• you leave Australia
• you are granted a substantive visa, or
• the BVE is cancelled.

You cannot extend a BVE. If you cannot depart or resolve your immigration matter by the relevant date or event, apply for a new BVE or explore other visa options.

Work Rights

Your grant letter states whether you can work.

Do not work unless your BVE allows it. Working without permission may result in visa cancellation, detention and removal from Australia.

If you cannot work, you may be able to apply for a new BVE with work rights in limited circumstances, such as financial hardship preventing you from paying reasonable living expenses. Requirements differ for judicial review, ministerial intervention and protection visa applicants.

Conditions and Obligations

You and anyone included in the application must:

• comply with all Australian laws
• comply with all visa conditions
• remain in Australia at application lodgement and visa grant.

Check your individual visa conditions through VEVO.

Travel

A BVE is not a travel visa.

It ends immediately when you leave Australia. You cannot return unless you hold another substantive visa. If you travel after applying, you need a visa to return, and you must still be in Australia when the BVE decision is made.

Before departure, you must have a valid passport or other travel document.

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.

For a pending immigration matter, provide details of relevant:

• visa applications
• merits review proceedings
• judicial review proceedings
• ministerial intervention requests.

If arranging departure, provide details of:

• intended departure date
• destination
• current passport or travel document
• travel ticket.

The Department will tell you if a police certificate, health examination or biometrics are required.

All non-English documents must be translated into English. Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Documents do not need to be certified.

How to Apply

1. Prepare documents

Provide accurate information and supporting evidence. Scan or photograph all documents in colour; files must be clear. Save multi-page documents as one file.

2. Apply online

Online application is preferred. You may apply if you do not already have an undecided BVE application.

Apply for a BVE through ImmiAccount.

3. Or apply on paper

Complete Form 1008 — Application for Bridging visa E, subclass 050.

Post the application to the nearest Australian Visa and Citizenship Office. You may need to attend an interview.

After Applying

The Department will acknowledge receipt of your application and documents. It cannot provide application status updates; wait for contact.

Attach missing documents promptly through ImmiAccount, or send them to the office where you lodged a paper application.

Tell the Department if your:

• phone number, email address, residential address or passport changes
• child is born
• application contains an error
• you wish to withdraw the application.

Use Form 1023 — Notification of incorrect answers to report incorrect information.

Representatives

Only a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person may provide immigration assistance.

To appoint or withdraw an authorised recipient, use Form 956A. To appoint or withdraw an immigration assistance provider, use Form 956.

Decision

The Department provides its decision in writing. You and anyone included in the application must be in Australia when the decision is made.

If granted, the notification letter states:

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

Keep a copy of the grant letter with you in Australia.

If refused, the Department will explain the reason and whether review rights are available.