Bridging Visas in Australia: What Keeps You Lawful While Waiting?
Your employer-sponsored visa application is lodged. The paperwork is done.
But the decision? That could take months.
So what keeps you lawful in Australia during the waiting period — especially when meeting critical requirements for visas like the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or 186 Employer Nomination Scheme?
That’s where a Bridging Visa comes in
As the name suggests, a bridging visa acts as a temporary “bridge”, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs processes your substantive visa application. Whether you’re transitioning from a student visa, visitor visa, or another temporary visa, your bridging visa quietly becomes the legal foundation of your stay.
Yet despite its importance, bridging visas are widely misunderstood. From work rights and travel conditions to health insurance obligations and compliance risks, small mistakes can have serious consequences — including visa cancellation or refusal of your main application.
As experienced immigration consultants and registered visa agents in Australia, we break down:
- The different types of bridging visas
- Their purpose and conditions
- Common myths and costly mistakes
Who uses them?
Onshore applicants in Australia who lodge a valid new visa application before their current substantive visa expires. This includes:
- Skilled workers (e.g., pharmacy staff applying for 482 via employer nomination).
- Partner visa applicants.
- Students switching to work visas.
All-in-One Bridging Visas Table
Here’s a complete table summarizing everything about bridging visas at a glance:
| Before the visa expires | Subclass | When | Work | Travel | Cost | Example |
| BVA | 010 | Before visa expires | Yes | No | Free | 482 wait |
| BVB | 020 | On BVA + need travel | Yes | Yes | $190 | Family emergency |
| BVC | 030 | After visa expires | Often no | No | Free | Late partner app |
| BVE | 050/051 | Appeals/departure | Varies | Varies | Free | Refusal appeal |
Purpose and Benefits
Bridging visas fill the gap between your expiring visa and a new application decision, keeping you lawful in Australia.
Purposes:
- Prevent unlawful status and 3-year re-entry bans.
- Maintain compliance during the processing of employer-sponsored visas like 482/186.
- Support key pathways (skilled, partner, protection claims).
Benefits:
- Work Continuity: Retain the same rights as prior visa (full-time if applicable).
- Family Stability: Live together without separation risks.
- Business Advantage: Sponsors keep talent during 6-18 month waits.
Health Insurance for Bridging Visas
Many people stop their health insurance when they switch to a bridging visa. They think, “I’m just waiting for my main visa decision, so I don’t need it anymore.”
However, Condition 8501 requires you to maintain continuous OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) with no gaps allowed. If your insurance lapses, it can lead to cancellation of your bridging visa or jeopardize your main visa application, such as a 482 employer-sponsored visa.
Common Myths About Bridging Visas
Here are the top 3 myths debunked simply:
Myth 1: Bridging visas = permanent residency
Reality: Temporary only—ends when your real visa (482/186) is decided (grant/refusal/withdrawal).
Myth 2: Unlimited work/travel rights
Reality: Work matches prior visa; BVA = no travel (cancels if you leave). BVB needed for trips.
Myth 3: No health insurance required
Reality: Overseas Visitors Health Cover is mandatory—gaps can cancel your bridging visa.
For more Information. Contact us today at (+61) 38764 3334 or info@growmore.one to commence your journey toward a rewarding career in Australia’s most in-demand industries through bridging visa support and 482 visa requirements.