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Australian Bridging Visa

Do you need a comprehensive guide about an Australian bridging visa, how to get and qualify for one, and other crucial information? Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers are here to genuinely help. For more concerns and assistance, call our office and book an official consultation.

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    What is an Australian Bridging Visa?

    An Australian immigration bridging visa is a temporary visa granted for applicants to lawfully stay and wait in Australia while their application for a substantive visa is underway. In a manner of speaking, this temporary visa serves as the “bridge” between an
    expired (or expiring) substantive visa and a new one.

    Essentially, Australian bridging visas let you stay in Australia without breaking immigration regulations that will adversely affect present and future visa applications.

    Purpose(s) of an Australian Immigration Bridging Visa

    Aside from allowing substantive visa applicants to remain in Australia legally while awaiting a substantive visa decision, there are other purposes Australian bridging visas serve, including the following:

    • You will be granted this visa if you have an ongoing appeal and need to stay in Australia for the court decision
    • If your visa was refused or cancelled and you lodged an appeal at the Tribunal, you will be issued this visa to await the result.
    • You will likewise be given this visa if you requested Minister Intervention and see if the request is granted
    • If you are overstaying or residing illegally in Australia but are willing to depart the country, you will be given an applicable bridging visa.

    Need Visa Assistance?

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    Australian Bridging Visa Types

    There are five main types of Australian bridging visas, namely:

    A

    Bridging Visa A (BVA)

    A bridging visa A enables you to legally remain in Australia after your substantive visa expires and your application for a new substantive visa is in progress. If you decide to depart Australia while on this visa, however, you will not be permitted to return.

    B

    Bridging Visa B (BVB)

    An Australian immigration bridging visa B or BVB allows individuals who have applied for a substantive visa to remain in Australia while it’s still being processed. An Australian bridging visa B permits applicants to leave and return to Australia if needed while their substantive visa application is ongoing.

    C

    Bridging Visa C (BVC)

    An Australian Bridging visa C is applicable for non-Australians who have overstayed in the country and wish to apply for a valid substantive visa. Being granted this visa makes their stay lawful. If you leave Australia on this visa, however, you may not be able or allowed to return.

    D

    Bridging Visa D (BVD)

    If your substantive visa has expired and you wish to stay lawfully in Australia just for the period of applying for a substantive visa, preparing to leave the country, or being granted an Australian bridging visa E, this is the appropriate bridging visa.

    E

    Bridging Visa E (BVE)

    If your substantive visa has expired, a BVE enables you to stay in the meantime while in the process of settling certain immigration matters before leaving. This temporary visa does not allow you to re-enter Australia after your departure.

    How to Apply for an Australian Bridging Visa

    Applying for your Australian bridging visa A can be done either online or by paper.

    If you applied for your substantive visa online using an ImmiAccount, then you must lodge your Australian bridging visa application using your ImmiAccount as well.

    If on paper, you must submit your application using a web form (applicable for bridging visas A, B, and C only).

    Australian Bridging Visa Work Rights

    Work rights for bridging visas in Australia depend on the individual visa conditions. Bridging visa A, B, C, and E may or may not have work rights or have some restrictions. In that case, you must submit a separate application for a specific bridging visa and prove you are experiencing economic hardship, hence your request to be permitted to work.

    Processing Times and Costs

    BVA is granted automatically if you have an ongoing application for a substantive while also holding a valid substantive visa. There are no available processing times for Australian bridging visas B, C, D, and E.

    BVA, BVC, BVD, and BVE are all free of charge, while the Australian immigration bridging visa B costs AUD190.

    Partnering Up With Parish Patience for Your Australian Bridging Visa

    You may experience challenges with your bridging visa application if your case proves to be more complex. If overwhelmed, you can always choose to tap into the expertise of professionals to help you navigate Australian immigration laws.

    Partnering up with Parish Patience for any type of visa applications gives you the following advantages:

    Award-Winning Lawyers

    Work only with registered migration agents and Australian immigration consultants who are exceptionally well-versed in all areas of visas.

    Long History of Service

    We have been in the business of fulfilling PR and citizenship dreams and serving top-quality legal services for migrants since 1888.

    Client-First Approach

    Your interests and winning a visa grant for you are the most important to us. We’ll make every great effort to realise your visa aspirations.

    Need Visa Assistance?

    Talk to one of our Visa Experts Now.

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    Success Stories of 500+ Highly Rated Reviews


    Our customers are always happy to share their thoughts with us.
    Here is what some of them have said!

    Haroon Parvez

    The team at parish Patience Immigration Lawyers were incredibly helpful throughout the application process. Their assistance made our lives so much less stressful and their expertise cleared up any confusion we had. They remained engaged with us the whole time and quickly responded to any questions with thoughtful, detailed answers. Special thanks to Usman Ali and Shan . We highly recommend the team at Parish patience immigration lawyer for anyone considering help regarding any kind of visa .

    W. A.

    Highly recommended lawyers! Extremely professional and reliable service, with outstanding outcomes. A special thanks to Mr Thong and Marlene, for helping us with our difficult case. Not only did they ensure that everything was ready to go, but their professionalism came in favor when we were granted our visa within just under 6 months!

    J P

    Thong and Marlene helped my partner gain permanent residency in Australia. We did the application ourselves but it turned out lots of information we needed to provide was missing. Thong and Marlene picked our case up and helped amend it. I really appreciate their help and guidance and look forward to contacting them again in the future. I am pleased by their efforts and professionalism.

    Alaa Omer

    Successfully handled my case. He had been prompt, caring and very professional in dealing with my case. I am glad to have received very strong support, guidance and service from them. I would highly recommend Parish patience immigration lawyers. I wish the best for their future prospects.

    Jabir Ibna Mohammad

    I’m really thankful for the guidance and assistance I’ve received regarding my Partner visa from Shan and his assistance Asha at Parish Patience. They handled my matter professionally and there were clear instructions from the beginning till end. I got my partner visa 820 granted in less than 7 months, thanks to their knowledge and expertise. I wish them all the best and highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers for any sort of immigration matters.

    Parish Patience: Licensed Experts in All Australian Bridging Visas


    Parish Patience, established in 1888, is an Australian immigration law firm that’s trusted and recommended by clients because of our genuine track record of delivering exceptional visa services. Our licensed Australian immigration consultants have years of professional legal practice that you can depend on for a successful visa application, whether it’s for a student visa, refugee visa, or employer nomination scheme. Take the first step today by calling us for an official appointment.

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      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


      What is Australian bridging visa?

      It’s a temporary visa for individuals whose current substantive visa has expired or expiring, and whose application for a new substantive visa is ongoing. This visa then allows them to legally stay in the country while they await a visa decision.

      Is a bridging visa an Australian resident for tax purposes?

      As a holder of a temporary visa, which includes bridging visas, you will be considered a temporary Australian resident for tax purposes and you shall be taxed for your income earned in Australia.

      Can I apply for PR while on bridging visa?

      Recent changes made to Australia’s immigration laws made it possible for bridging visa holders to apply for permanent residency. For example, you can apply for PR as a skilled migrant worker. But it goes without saying that you must fulfil all the eligibility requirements of the PR visa that you will apply for.

      How long is the bridging visa B valid for in Australia?

      Your bridging visa B will be valid and will allow you to stay lawfully in Australia for as long as your substantive visa application remains in progress. You can also leave and return to Australia within your bridging visa’s specified travel period and while your valid visa application is still being processed. 

      Can I come back to Australia on bridging visa A?

      No. Only a bridging visa B will allow you to leave and return to Australia. If you depart Australia on a BVA, you may not be able to return.

      Is bridging visa considered temporary?

      Yes, all bridging visas are temporary visas.

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      On 13 July, I had an appointment with Mr. Usman and Mr. Billah at their Dhaka branch. I was satisfied with the advice they provided regarding my situation, and I was told to contact Mr. Usman once he returned to Sydney from Dhaka, which was expected to be in early August. On 10 August, I followed up by email, asking Mr. Usman and Mr. Billah CC’d, whether they were still interested in taking on my case. However, from 10 August until now (about 2 months later), I have received no response from Parish Immigration. For anyone considering seeking legal advice from Parish, I would highly recommend confirming upfront whether they are interested in handling your case. Otherwise you’ll be wasting a significant amount of valuable time chasing them. The communication after my initial consultation was extremely confusing. During the consultation, they seemed eager to assist me with my case. However, later they did not respond to my follow up emails or even let me know whether or not they were interested in proceeding with my case
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      I highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. They're professional, knowledgeable, patient and genuinely caring. They take the time to explain everything clearly and provide honest, practical advice throughout the process. What I appreciate most is their dedication, transparency and willingness to help. A trustworthy and approachable team that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone seeking immigration assistance.
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      Parish Patience made a long and stressful process feel manageable. Diana, Vicky, Connie and the team were professional, patient, and always clear about what came next, and they responded quickly whenever we had questions. We’re very grateful for their support and would happily recommend them.
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      I am extremely satisfied with the professional services provided by the team especially Usman Bhai in managing my visa application. Their exceptional professionalism, thorough attention to detail, and comprehensive understanding of the immigration process were evident throughout every stage of the application. They demonstrated outstanding commitment, maintained clear and timely communication, and provided valuable guidance with efficiency and diligence. I sincerely appreciate their expertise, dedication, and meticulous approach, which made the entire process considerably smoother and more reassuring. I would highly recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable, professional, and competent immigration assistance.
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      🌟 Heartfelt Thanks to Mr. Mahalingam Sutharshan (Shan) and His Team! 🇦🇺 I am delighted and truly grateful to have been granted Australian citizenship. My sincere thanks to Shan and his team for their professional guidance, dedicated support, and excellent service throughout this journey. I highly appreciate their assistance and would happily recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable and professional support. Thank you for helping make this milestone possible! 🙏❤️
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      One of the most disappointing experiences I have had when seeking professional legal assistance. My experience with Mahalingam Sutharshan (Shan) was absolutely unacceptable. His arrogant attitude, dismissive manner, and apparent unwillingness to provide advice left me extremely frustrated. When someone approaches a lawyer/agent , they expect professionalism, respect, and proper guidance—not an arrogant attitude that makes them feel as though their concerns are beneath consideration. Unfortunately, I felt that I received none of the professionalism or courtesy I expected. What disappointed me most was his attitude towards someone who was simply seeking legal advice. Basic respect and professional communication should be the bare minimum for anyone working in the legal profession. In my experience, the interaction fell well below that standard. I left the interaction feeling that my time had been wasted and my concerns had not been given proper consideration. A professional title means very little if the person behind it cannot communicate respectfully with people seeking assistance. Based on my personal experience, I would not choose to deal with Mahalingam Sutharshan (Shan) again. This experience has left me with a very negative impression, and I sincerely hope the firm takes complaints about client treatment seriously. People seeking legal help deserve respect, courtesy, and clear communication—not an experience that leaves them feeling dismissed and disrespected.
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      I am normally very hesitant to write Google reviews, but in this case, I genuinely feel that a review is well deserved. Mr Usman looked after my SC 186 visa application and successfully guided me through the process until my visa was granted. Before meeting Usman, I sought advice from one of the well-known immigration agents on social media. Unfortunately, rather than taking the time to understand my circumstances, they immediately advised me to pursue a student visa. Usman, however, took the time to properly understand my situation and confidently recommended that I proceed with the SC 186 visa application. He not only recommended the right pathway for my circumstances but also remained highly professional throughout the entire process. He consistently kept me updated and ensured that I understood the key information and requirements at every stage of the application. My nomination was approved without receiving any S56 request, which made the process even smoother and less stressful. Usman's advice has not only helped me avoid future stress and significant financial pressure, but it also ultimately allowed me to obtain permanent residency rather than continue paying tuition fees and living with the uncertainty associated with temporary visas. What impressed me most about Usman is his sincerity, honesty, professionalism, experience, and genuine passion for what he does. He truly cares about his clients and uses his knowledge and experience to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. I would like to sincerely thank Usman once again for his guidance, support, and professionalism throughout my journey. I am genuinely grateful for everything you have done for me. May God bless you and your family, Usman. You are truly a gem. đź’Ž
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      Parish Patience took care my mother, sisters and all of my family’s visa situation since 2012. After David Bitel passed away he left his amazing lawyers who are not only knowledgeable but also efficient and professional. After many years got my PR sorted by Usman, he was onto it in every single documents and Thanks to Golam as well who always been kind. I’m sure all immigrant knows how difficult these days to get PR, but highly recommend their service who can assist you in all situation.
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      I am very happy and grateful to have received my 186 visa. It was a long journey, and I sincerely appreciate the excellent support from Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. A special thank you to Usman Ali, Senior Associate, and Motasim Billah, Case Manager, for their professionalism, guidance, and continuous support throughout the process. Highly recommended! Thank you again for helping me achieve this important milestone.
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      6 years ago I found myself in a very difficult immigration situation where I was risking immigration detention, and Parish Patience were the only light of hope in a nightmare immigration loophole. I had consulted with other lawyers who just took thousands of dollars and were misleading and dishonest. When I met with Thong and his amazing team they welcomed me with the upmost care and provided me with clear explanations and guidance. All throughout the process they were available for any questions and support. They anticipated all possibilities, and completed the work in compliance with the immigration laws and I had zero issues with any of the submissions they’ve done on my behalf. I received a double grant two years ago and I am now awaiting for my citizenship ceremony. Parish Patience provides the reliable and professional service you need. Thank you Thong, Marlene, Zinnia for your incredible work.