Australia Bridging Visa A (BVA): Eligibility and Application Guide

Key Takeaways:

An Australia Bridging Visa A (BVA) allows legal stay while awaiting a new substantive visa decision.
Automatic BVA is granted during a substantive visa application, but separate applications may be necessary in specific cases.
Eligibility for a BVA requires holding a substantive visa, being in Australia, and meeting application requirements including proof of identity and hardship.

What Is an Australia Bridging Visa A?

An Australia Bridging Visa A (BVA) is a non-permanent visa that allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while waiting for the decision on your new substantive visa application. Substantive visas include all types of Australian visas except for bridging visas and criminal justice or law enforcement visas. This visa ensures that your stay in Australia remains legal after your current substantive visa has expired and until a new substantive visa is granted.

Australia Bridging Visa A (BVA): Eligibility and Application Guide

Do I Automatically Get a Bridging Visa A?

In most cases, you receive a Bridging Visa A automatically when you apply for another Australian substantive visa. However, there are instances where you need to apply separately for the BVA:

No BVA Option in Initial Application: Your original visa application did not include an option for a BVA.
Expired BVA or Bridging Visa B: Your previously granted BVA or Bridging Visa B has expired, and you meet the criteria for another Bridging Visa A.
Employment Restrictions: You seek to apply for another BVA without work restrictions.
Judicial Review Application: If you have applied for a judicial review of your visa application decision.

Remember, your automatic Bridging Visa A becomes effective only when your substantive visa has expired.

Who Can Apply for an Australia Bridging Visa A?

To be eligible for an Australia Bridging Visa A, you need to:

Hold or have previously held a substantive Australian visa.
Be physically present in Australia at the time of your application.

What Are the Requirements for an Australia Bridging Visa A?

Here’s what you need for a Bridging Visa A application:

Copy of Passport: Bio pages of your passport. If applicable, also provide your national ID card and documents proving any name change.
Proof of Hardship: Evidence supporting your need to apply for a BVA.
Moral Character Documents: Papers proving you do not engage in or initiate unlawful activities.
Application Help Documents: If someone is assisting with your application, you need:
- Authorized Recipient Form 956a
- Migration Agent Form 956

How Do I Apply for a Bridging Visa A?

The application process for a Bridging Visa A mirrors the application method of your substantive visa:

Online Substantive Visa Application: Apply online for your Bridging Visa A.
Paper Substantive Visa Application: Apply on paper for your Bridging Visa A.

In cases of a judicial review, you must apply on paper for the BVA.

How Long Does It Take to Process an Australia Bridging Visa A?

The Department of Home Affairs doesn’t specify an exact processing time for bridging visa applications. Processing is generally faster if your application is complete and includes all necessary documents. For updated information on processing times and other queries, you can visit the Department of Home Affairs.

What Is the Cost of a Bridging Visa A?

The good news is, applying for a Bridging Visa A is free of charge—no application fee and no additional costs.

How Long Does a Bridging Visa A Last?

A Bridging Visa A is temporary and valid until a decision is made on your substantive visa application. It becomes invalid if:

Your new visa application is approved.
You leave Australia while holding a Bridging Visa A.
You are granted another bridging visa.
Both your substantive and bridging visas are canceled.

Can I Stay Longer With a Bridging Visa 010?

You cannot extend your stay with a Bridging Visa A. However, depending on the outcome of your substantive visa application, you may have limited days to stay in Australia. If:

Your new visa application is denied.
A final decision on your judicial review is made.
You withdraw your substantive visa, tribunal review, or judicial review applications.
The tribunal review committee rules that they do not have jurisdiction over your application.

After these limited days, you must leave Australia immediately to avoid remaining illegally. Check your stay period using VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).

Can You Work on a Bridging Visa A?

Some Bridging Visa A types allow employment, depending on your visa conditions. You can review these conditions in VEVO. If facing financial hardship, you can apply for a new Bridging Visa A to gain work rights.

If denied a work-permitting BVA, your original BVA with the same work restrictions remains valid. You cannot apply for a BVA with unrestricted work rights if:

Your current BVA results from a judicial review application on your substantive visa.
You have applied for a protection visa.

Can I Study With an Australia Bridging Visa A?

While holding a Bridging Visa A, studying is allowed, but with possible limitations based on BVA conditions and previous substantive visa restrictions.

Can I Travel With an Australia Bridging Visa A?

Traveling outside Australia with a Bridging Visa A is prohibited. Upon exit, your BVA becomes invalid, and you can’t re-enter Australia with it. To travel while your substantive visa is being processed, apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB).

Can I Include Family Members in My Bridging Visa A (010) Application?

Yes, you can include family members in your Bridging Visa A application provided they are in Australia at the time of your application.

Is Bridging Visa A Eligible for Centrelink?

Eligibility for Centrelink support depends on the conditions attached to your Bridging Visa A. If your substantive visa allowed Centrelink access, similar provisions might apply during your stay with a Bridging Visa A. Conditions may vary, potentially limiting access to Australian state services.

What Are the Benefits of Bridging Visa A?

With a Bridging Visa A, you may have limited access to:

Medicare
ASAS (Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme)

What Can Cause a Bridging Visa A Cancellation?

The Department of Home Affairs may cancel your BVA for breaching visa conditions and work rights, such as:

No Work Condition 8101: Prohibits work in Australia but allows unpaid work related to study.
No Work Condition 8102: Permits working only in study-related fields, not interfering with your course.
No Paid Work Condition 8103: Bars salary jobs without written permission from the Department of Immigration.
Work Restriction Conditions: May include 40-hour fortnight limits or employer/industry-specific work approvals.
Work Limitation Condition 8112: Restricts engaging in work that could be done by an Australian citizen or resident.
Work Condition 8547: Limits employment with one employer beyond six months without Secretary permission.
Yacht Crew: Allows working on a superyacht’s crew.
Condition 8303: Forbids criminal or harmful activities in the community.
Condition 8501: Requires maintaining valid health insurance.
Condition 8539: Mandates working, living, and studying in specified low-growth areas identified by visa grant letters.

By adhering to these conditions and staying informed through official resources, you can ensure a smoother visa application process and avoid common pitfalls.

Learn Today:

Immigration Glossary

1. Bridging Visa A (BVA):
A temporary visa that allows individuals to stay legally in Australia while awaiting a decision on their new substantive visa application. It ensures lawful residence after the expiration of the current substantive visa until a new one is issued.

2. Substantive Visa:
Any type of Australian visa except for bridging visas and those related to criminal justice or law enforcement. Examples include tourist visas, work visas, student visas, and permanent residency visas.

3. Judicial Review:
A legal process where a court reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a government authority, in this context, related to the visa application process. Applicants may apply for a Bridging Visa A while seeking judicial review.

4. Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO):
An online system that allows visa holders, employers, and other organizations to check the visa conditions and entitlements, such as work rights and study permissions, of an individual in Australia.

5. No Work Condition 8101:
A specific condition attached to certain visas that prohibits the visa holder from engaging in any paid employment in Australia. Permissible activities may include unpaid work related to study.

This Article In A Nutshell:

A Bridging Visa A (BVA) is a temporary visa in Australia, ensuring legal stay while waiting for a substantive visa decision. If eligible, you get it automatically; otherwise, apply separately. It’s free, valid until a new visa is issued, and may allow work or study depending on conditions. Family members can be included.
— By VisaVerge.com