The Bridging Visa A (BVA, subclass 010) is a temporary visa that allows a person to remain lawfully in Australia after their substantive visa ceases, while a substantive visa application is being processed by DHA. In most cases, a BVA is automatically granted when an eligible visa holder lodges a substantive visa application — no separate application is needed. The BVA bridges the gap between the expiry of the existing visa and the decision on the new application. Work rights on a BVA are not automatic — they depend on the conditions attached and the type of substantive application made. A BVA does not allow travel and re-entry; a Bridging Visa B (BVB, subclass 020) must be obtained before departing Australia if the applicant wishes to return and continue the application. This page explains when the BVA is triggered, its conditions, work and travel rights, and what happens when the underlying application is decided.

For current BVA eligibility requirements, how to apply for a BVA, and conditions attached, refer to the DHA Bridging Visa A page.

• Migration Act 1958, s 73 — the power to grant bridging visas; the Minister may grant a bridging visa that allows a person to remain in Australia for a specified period or until a specified event
• Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2, Subclass 010 (Bridging A) criteria — the criteria for grant of a Bridging Visa A; eligibility requirements, conditions (including work conditions), and circumstances in which a BVA can be applied for rather than automatically granted
• Migration Regulations 1994, regulation 2.20 — the automatic grant of bridging visas on application for certain substantive visa classes; when a substantive visa holder lodges a valid application for another substantive visa, a BVA is automatically granted
• Migration Act 1958, s 82 — when visas cease; a BVA ceases when the substantive visa application is finally determined or when the holder of a BVA obtains a substantive visa
• DHA: Bridging Visa A (subclass 010) — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/bva-010

When a BVA is automatically granted

A BVA is automatically granted when an eligible substantive visa holder lodges a valid application for another substantive visa. The automatic grant occurs at the time the application is lodged — provided the person:

• Holds a substantive visa (or, in some cases, another bridging visa) at the time of lodging
• Lodges a valid application for a substantive visa that triggers BVA entitlement

The BVA comes into effect when the existing substantive visa ceases — so while the substantive visa is still valid, the BVA is held but not yet in effect. If the substantive visa expires before the application is decided, the BVA activates and the person remains lawful.

When a BVA must be separately applied for

A BVA cannot be automatically granted if the person is already unlawful at the time of lodging. In limited circumstances, an unlawful non-citizen who lodges a substantive visa application may be able to separately apply for a BVA to legalise their status while the application is assessed. Eligibility and conditions for this pathway are set out on the DHA BVA page.

Work rights on a BVA

Work rights on a BVA are not automatic. Whether the BVA permits work depends on:

• The type of substantive visa application that triggered the BVA — some application types carry work rights through to the BVA
• The conditions attached to the previous substantive visa — if the previous visa permitted work, work rights may continue on the BVA
• Any specific DHA determination on work conditions for the individual BVA

The work conditions on a specific BVA are visible on VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). Applicants and employers should check VEVO rather than assume work rights. For more on checking visa entitlements, refer to the VEVO page.

Travel restriction — BVA does not permit re-entry

A holder of a BVA cannot depart Australia and return without first obtaining a Bridging Visa B (BVB). If the BVA holder departs Australia without a BVB:

• The BVA ceases when the holder departs Australia
• The substantive visa application remains on foot but the applicant is no longer in Australia on a valid visa
• The applicant may not be able to return to Australia to complete the application onshore

A Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) must be obtained before travel if the applicant wishes to leave Australia temporarily and return. The BVB grants a specified travel authority for one or more travel periods. For more detail, refer to the Bridging Visa B page.

Conditions on the BVA

The BVA is subject to conditions set by DHA at the time of grant. Common conditions include:

• Condition 8101 (no work) — if no work rights are attached
• Condition 8105 (work restriction) — if limited work rights are attached (e.g., up to a specified number of hours)
• Condition 8503 (no further stay) — this condition from a previous visa is not automatically carried over to the BVA, but may be relevant in some circumstances; a s48 bar may apply separately

The specific conditions on a BVA vary depending on the substantive application type and individual circumstances.

When the BVA ceases

A BVA ceases in the following circumstances:

• Substantive visa granted: when the underlying substantive visa application is approved and the substantive visa is granted, the BVA ceases and the substantive visa takes effect
• Application refused and review rights exhausted: when the substantive application is finally refused and all merits review and judicial review pathways are exhausted, the BVA ceases; the holder becomes unlawful if no other visa is held
• Application withdrawn: if the substantive visa application is withdrawn, the BVA ceases
• Departure without BVB: if the BVA holder departs Australia without a BVB, the BVA ceases on departure
• BVA cancellation: a BVA may be cancelled by DHA in certain circumstances

BVA and merits review — extended bridging period

If a substantive visa application is refused and the applicant lodges a merits review application with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), the BVA generally continues throughout the review process. This means that a BVA holder who exercises review rights remains lawful in Australia for the duration of the merits review and, if applicable, judicial review. The bridging period can therefore extend well beyond the initial visa refusal date while the review is on foot.

The BVA is the most commonly encountered bridging visa in Australian immigration — it arises in almost every onshore visa application scenario. The most important practical points are: (1) the BVA is automatically triggered by lodging a substantive application while still in valid status — there is no need to separately apply; (2) work rights are not automatic and must be checked on VEVO; (3) the travel restriction is frequently misunderstood — departing Australia on a BVA without first obtaining a BVB is a common and serious error that can result in the BVA ceasing and the applicant being unable to return; and (4) the BVA continues through merits review, giving applicants lawful status while their review is on foot. For current BVA eligibility, conditions, and how to check whether work rights are attached to a specific BVA, refer to the DHA Bridging Visa A page.