Once you have applied for a student visa from onshore you are generally automatically granted a Bridging Visa immediately. A Bridging Visa allows you to remain in Australian whilst a decision is made on your student visa.
- You will only move onto the bridging visa once your previous visa expires.
- For example, if you currently hold a valid working holiday visa which hasn’t expired, you will remain on the working holiday visa until it expires. You will then automatically transition onto the bridging visa, and remain on the bridging visa until a decision is made on your student visa.
- Your bridging visa will have the same work rights and conditions as your previous visa.
- For example, if you hold a working holiday visa and apply for a student visa, you will have the same work rights on the bridging visa as your working holiday visa – Full work rights. However, if you hold a visitor visa and you apply for a student visa, you will have the same work rights on the bridging visa as your visitor visa – no work rights
- Once your student visa is granted you will automatically have the work rights of the student visa.
- For example – On a student visa, applicants will generally be allowed to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight and unlimited work hours when you are on school holidays. However please note you will not have any work rights until your course has commenced. Therefore if your student visa is approved a month before your course start date, you will have no work rights until the course start date.
If you have applied for a student visa and have questions about your work rights, please feel free to contact Pathway to Aus.
Please note the above information is only relevant for applicants who have a valid relevant substantive visa in Australia and have applied for a student visa. You cannot apply from within Australia if you currently are unlawful or the holder of a bridging visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
In case you don’t find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.
Can you work on a Bridging Visa A?
Your bridging visa will usually have the same work rights and conditions as your previous visa. For example, if you hold a working holiday visa and apply for a student visa, you will have the same work rights on the bridging visa as your working holiday visa – Full work rights. However, if you hold a visitor visa and you apply for a student visa, you will have the same work rights on the bridging visa as your visitor visa – no work rights. Please note, if you apply for a permanent visa, you will usually have full work rights on the bridging visa (regardless of what visa you apply with).
How long does bridging visa A take to process?
Once you have applied for a visa from onshore you are generally automatically granted a Bridging Visa immediately. A Bridging Visa A allows you to remain in Australian whilst a decision is made on your visa.
When would I move onto the bridging visa?
You will only move onto the bridging visa once your current visa expires. For example, if you hold a working holiday visa that hasn’t expired and apply for a student visa, you will remain on the working holiday visa until it expires. You’ll then automatically transition onto the bridging visa and you’ll remain on the bridging visa until immigration has made a decision on your application. Once the student visa is granted you will automatically have the visa conditions and work rights of your student visa
What is the duration of a bridging visa?
There’s no specific duration of bridging visa. It will simply last until Immigration make a decision on your application. Once the new visa is granted, you’ll automatically transition on the new visa and your bridging visa will finish
Can I travel on a bridging visa?
Initially the bridging visa you’ll usually be issued is a Bridging Visa A, which does not have travel rights. If you’d like to travel on a Bridging Visa, you’ll need to apply for a Bridging Visa B. A Bridging Visa B allows for travel in and out of Australia
How much does a Bridging Visa A cost in Australia?
A Bridging Visa A has no cost, it is automatically granted when you submit a visa application. A Bridging Visa B costs $145 AUD
How do I get work rights on a bridging visa?
You will usually only be granted work rights on a bridging visa if your previous visa allowed you to work, or you applied for a permanent visa. In certain circumstances if there are compelling and compassionate circumstances you may request work rights from immigration.
Is Bridging Visa A automatically granted?
Yes, a Bridging Visa A will usually be automatically granted when you submit a visa application from within Australia and you meet the requirements for lodging a substantive visa
Can I drive Uber on bridging visa?
Your bridging visa will have the same work rights and conditions as your previous visa. So if you hold a working holiday visa or a student visa when you transition onto a bridging visa, then you could continue to work with the same rights.
What happens if you leave Australia on a Bridging Visa A?
The Bridging Visa A doesn’t allow you to travel in and out of Australia. If you’d like to travel whilst on a bridging visa, it is generally advised you apply for a Bridging Visa B. If you do leave Australia and do not apply for a BVB, your BVA will be cancelled. Please note your visa application will not be cancelled, just the student visa.
Is a Bridging Visa A eligible for Centrelink?
You would need to contact Centrelink to find out if you are eligible for it.
Is a Bridging Visa A eligible for Medicare?
Some Bridging Visa A holders are eligible for Medicare. For example, if you apply for a permanent visa. You would need to contact Medicare to find out if you are eligible for it.