A bridging visa is a temporary visa. After the visa expires and before the next substantive visa is granted, the applicant is automatically granted or required to apply for a bridging visa, which allows the applicant to legally remain in Australia while awaiting the next substantive visa. There are five common types of bridging visas: A, B, C, D and E. Different types have different roles. Applicants are automatically granted a bridging visa in different circumstances, or must actively apply for a bridging visa so as not to leave themselves in Australia without a visa.

· The applicant must be in Australia at the time of applying for the next substantial visa

· When the applicant's last substantive visa has expired and the next substantive visa has not been approved

· Applicants whose visas have expired, been refused or cancelled and need to leave the country

· Applicants who have been denied a visa and are appealing within Australia (AAT/FCC)

Bridging Visa A (BVA) Application Conditions and Restrictions

· The applicant has submitted the next substantive visa before the previous substantive visa expires

· The BVA will automatically take effect after the applicant's last substantive visa expires, and in some cases it is required to apply voluntarily

· In this case, the BVA has no validity period and the visa will continue until the next substantive visa is obtained (approved or rejected).

Visa terms are usually the same as those of the previous substantive visa

· Work rights are generally the same as in the previous substantive visa; If special circumstances require the right to work, you can apply for an exemption clause

· Cannot leave Australia while holding a BVA. If you want to leave the country, you must apply for Bridging Visa B (hereinafter referred to as BVB), otherwise the BVA will be invalid immediately after leaving the country, and you will not be able to enter Australia

· If the applicant's next substantial visa is approved, the applicant's BVA will be replaced immediately

If the applicant's next substantive visa application is denied, the BVA has 35 days remaining from the time the applicant receives the denial letter from USCIS, and the applicant can choose to leave the country; Or the applicant may choose to appeal the AAT (the appeal application must be submitted within the specified date), and the applicant's BVA (Bridging Visa A) will continue to be valid until the outcome of the applicant's AAT

· If the AAT is still rejected, the BVA will remain valid for 35 days starting from the date of the AAT result; The applicant may choose to appeal to the FCC (within 28 days from the date of the AAT decision). If the FCC loses the case, it must leave the country before the BVA expires

· If the applicant submits two substantive visas before the expiration of the last substantive visa, the first BVA will be applied for

If the applicant withdraws the visa application while waiting for the next substantial visa period (i.e. the period of holding the BVA), the applicant's BVA will be valid for 35 days from the date of withdrawal, which will be used to determine the next visa arrangement for the applicant

If the applicant actively or passively cancels the substantial visa currently held by the applicant, the applicant will not become a BVA, it will become unlawful. For example, the applicant submitted the 190 visa while holding the student visa, but the student visa has a longer period. If the applicant no longer wishes to pay the tuition fee and voluntarily applies for the cancellation of his/her student visa, or if the student visa is cancelled in violation of the terms of the student visa, the applicant will not become a BVA, but will become unlawful. If the visa is unlawful, you can only apply for a Bridge Visa E (BVE).

Bridging Visa B (BVB) Application Conditions and Restrictions

· The applicant holds a BVA or BVB and needs to leave the country

· Application must be made before departure

· BVB is not automatically approved and must be applied to the Immigration Office

· After leaving the country, you must enter Australia before the BVB expires. If the applicant's BVB expires and the applicant has not entered Australia, he/she will need to apply for another visa outside Australia to enter Australia

· BVB is usually a one-time visa, that is, you can only enter and exit once; Special cases may apply for multiple entry BVB visa

· When applying for BVB, you must not provide false information, otherwise it will affect all subsequent visa applications, resulting in the 4020 clause

· The duration of BVB exit will be determined by the visa officer according to the reason for departure and the time of application

· Processing cycle: Usually 1-3 working days to sign (based on the current review speed)

Bridging Visa C (BVC) Application Conditions and Restrictions

· The applicant does not hold a substantive visa at the time of submitting a new substantive visa (if the visa has expired, or a BVA/BVB); The applicant is not in an Immigration Detention Centre or does not hold a BVE visa

The effective date of the BVC depends on the visa status of the applicant at the time, and when it will be effective will be clearly stated in the approval letter

· BVC usually does not have a fixed validity date and the visa will continue until the next substantive visa is obtained (approved or rejected).

· Not allowed to leave the country or apply for BVB exit

· If the applicant's next substantive visa is a skilled immigrant or investor visa (189/190/491/188 visa, etc.), then the applicant's BVC will have the right to work; If the applicant is applying for another type of visa, there is usually no right to work, but it can be applied for

If the applicant's next substantive visa application is denied, the BVC has 35 days remaining from the time the applicant receives the denial letter from USCIS, and the applicant can choose to leave the country; Or the applicant can choose to appeal the AAT (must submit the appeal application within the specified date), then the applicant's BVC (Bridging Visa C) will continue to be valid until the outcome of the applicant's AAT hearing;

· If the AAT is still rejected, the BVC will still be valid for 35 days starting from the date of the AAT result; The applicant may choose to appeal to the FCC (which must be filed with the FCC within the specified date). If the FCC loses the case, it must leave the country before the BVC expires.

Bridging Visa D (BVD) Application Conditions and Restrictions

· The applicant's previous substantive visa has expired, the Bridging Visa D (BVD) allows the holder to legally reside in Australia for a very short period of time, and must apply for another substantive visa within 3 working days; If you do not intend to apply for a new substantive visa, you must either arrange to leave Australia or apply for a bridging visa E.

· No right to work

· Cannot re-enter Australia after leaving the country

Bridging Visa E (BVE) Application Conditions and Restrictions

· The applicant has expired the last substantive visa, has not applied for the next substantive visa, is in illegal residence status, and is preparing to leave the country; Or the applicant is unlawful (due to active or passive cancellation of visa, etc.); Or holds a BVE and is appealing at AAT/FCC

· interview with immigration department is required

· No right to work in most cases, but can apply for special circumstances

· The validity period of the visa is determined by the visa officer according to the applicant's situation

· BVE is subject to rejection and cancellation

· You can re-apply for an Australian visa after 3 years