Bridging visa A (BVA) (subclass 010)
Bridging visa A (BVA) (subclass 010)
Visa Cost
Free (AUD 0)
Applying for a Bridging Visa A itself has no government fee (free). Note: if you later need to leave and return to Australia, you must separately apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB), which costs AUD 200 (2025-26). Applying for a new BVA with work rights due to financial hardship (Form 1005) is also free.
Processing Time
Usually granted automatically when a valid substantive visa application is lodged; separate applications are usually processed within days
Eligibility
- Be in Australia at application and not in immigration clearance
- A valid substantive visa application has been lodged and is still under processing
- At lodgement of the substantive visa application you hold a valid substantive visa or an eligible bridging visa, and are thus lawful
- A BVA maintains lawful status after the original visa expires and before a decision on the new visa application
- Usually no separate application is needed: the system grants the BVA automatically when the substantive visa application is lodged
- A BVA only takes effect automatically when the original substantive visa expires (while the original visa is still valid the BVA is 'not in effect')
- Work rights and travel rights depend on the specific grant conditions
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
No fixed validity; it remains in effect until a decision on the substantive visa applied for (and the end of any review/appeal), and ceases on grant or departure. It ceases automatically on leaving Australia (to leave you should switch to a BVB visa 020).
Eligible Dependants
There is no separate family concept; a bridging visa is granted automatically per person with the substantive visa application, and family members each hold their own.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
This visa itself does not lead to PR; it is merely a bridging visa maintaining lawful status while the substantive visa applied for is processed. The PR pathway depends on that substantive visa (such as skilled/employer-sponsored/partner); if it is granted, the BVA ceases automatically.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Application Steps
Lodge a substantive visa while holding a valid visa
Lodge a substantive visa while holding a valid visa
A BVA cannot be applied for in isolation; it attaches to a valid substantive visa application; you must lodge the new visa application onshore while the original visa is still valid.
- Such as lodging a substantive visa application for partner, student, skilled, etc.
- At lodgement you must be in Australia and hold a valid visa
- Ensure the new application is a 'valid application' (meeting all lodgement requirements)
BVA granted automatically
BVA granted automatically
After a valid substantive visa application is lodged, the Department usually grants a subclass 010 Bridging Visa A automatically, with no separate form or fee.
- Watch for the BVA grant notice in ImmiAccount
- At this point the BVA is 'granted but not in effect'
- Check the work/study and other conditions attached to the BVA
BVA comes into effect on expiry
BVA comes into effect on expiry
When your original substantive visa expires, the BVA takes effect automatically, letting you stay lawfully in Australia until a decision on the new visa.
- Check in VEVO whether the BVA is in effect and its conditions
- Once in effect you are bound by the BVA conditions (such as the 8101/8104 work conditions)
- Continue living under the original visa conditions until the original visa expires
Apply for BVB before any travel
Apply for BVB before any travel
A BVA itself carries no travel right and ceases on departure. If you need to leave and return to Australia while the new visa is being processed, you must first apply for a BVB (subclass 020).
- A BVB costs AUD 200, applied for through ImmiAccount
- A BVB provides a limited-period travel facility for leaving and returning
- Never leave the country directly on a BVA, or the visa ceases and you cannot use it to return
Request work rights via Form 1005 if needed
Request work rights via Form 1005 if needed
If your BVA has the 8101 (no work) condition but you face genuine financial hardship, you can use Form 1005 to apply for a new BVA with work rights.
- Supporting evidence of financial hardship is required
- This new BVA application is also free
- Always check the work conditions in VEVO before working
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence of a valid substantive visa application | Evidence of a valid substantive visa application | A BVA attaches to a substantive visa application under processing; the lodgement receipt/TRN is the prerequisite for the BVA to be granted automatically. | Without a substantive visa application under processing, there is no BVA to attach to; first ensure the new application is 'validly lodged'. | |
| Current visa status (VEVO record) | Current visa status (VEVO record) | Prove that when you lodged the new application you were onshore and held a valid substantive visa or an eligible bridging visa. | Use VEVO to check and screenshot your current visa subclass, expiry date and conditions. | |
| Valid passport | Valid passport | The applicant's passport bio-data page, for identity verification and visa linking. | Update ImmiAccount promptly when the passport expires or is renewed. | |
| ImmiAccount | ImmiAccount | The account used to link the substantive visa application, receive the BVA grant notice, and handle later online tasks. | The BVA grant notice is sent to the linked email/ImmiAccount; check for it. | |
| Bridging A/B/C online application form | Bridging A/B/C online application form | In the few cases where a BVA is not granted automatically and must be applied for separately, lodge via the Department's Bridging A/B/C online form. | Most people do not need this step: the BVA is granted automatically when the substantive visa application is lodged. | |
| Evidence of financial hardship | Evidence of financial hardship | Financial hardship evidence submitted when the current BVA has the 8101 no-work condition and you need to apply for a new BVA with work rights (Form 1005). | Such as bank statements, rent arrears/bills, and a declaration of no other financial source; the more specific the evidence, the better. | |
| Form 1005 – Application for a Bridging visa A | Form 1005 – Application for a Bridging visa A | The designated form used to apply for a BVA with work rights due to financial hardship. | Attach financial hardship evidence with the form; this new BVA is also free. | |
| Visa condition check (8101/8104/8105 etc.) | Visa condition check (8101/8104/8105 etc.) | Check the conditions attached to the BVA: whether work is allowed (8101 no/8104/8105 time-limited) and study. | BVA work rights are generally inherited from the original visa; always confirm in VEVO before starting work. | |
| Bridging visa B application (if travel needed) | Bridging visa B application (if travel needed) | When you need to leave and return to Australia during processing, apply for a BVB (subclass 020) instead, explaining the reason for departure and the return plan. | A BVB costs AUD 200; it must be granted before departure, as a BVA ceases on departure. |
FAQ
Does a Bridging Visa A need to be applied for separately? Is there a fee?
Can I leave Australia on a BVA, visit China and return?
Can I work on a BVA?
How long does a BVA last? What if the new visa is refused?
Common Refusal Reasons
- Not being in Australia at application (a BVA can only be applied for onshore, with no exception)
- The applicant has no current or previously held substantive visa as a basis to 'bridge'
- No corresponding substantive visa application was actually lodged, or that substantive application is itself invalid
- The BVA ceased automatically because of departure, not because it was 'refused'
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.