Bridging Visa | A Quick Refresher
- The Bridging Visa is a temporary visa
- Allows person to legally stay in the country while while they await their visa application results; permission to work is a possibility, but not a guarantee
- Granted to visa holders who have a substantive visa and are applying for a new one in Aus
Types of Bridging Visas
There are 5 kinds of Bridging Visas, and depending on your situation, you’ll be able to know which visa applies or may apply to you.
Bridging Visa (BVA) (subclass 010)
- Automatic grant when new visa application is submitted
- No travel rights
Bridging Visa B (BVB) (subclass 020)
- Allows BVA or valid visa holders to travel abroad & return while processing new visa application
- BVA is paused
Bridging Visa C (BVC) (subclass 030)
- For new visa applicants (after previous visa expired)
- For unlawful persons
- No work rights
Bridging Visa D (BVD)
- Short-term visa
- For immigration detainees
- For temporary arrangements
Bridging Visa E (BVE) (subclass 050/051)
- Unlawful non-citizens / detainees
- Allowing short period to make arrangements to leave Australia
Got more Q’s about the Bridging Visa?
Head on over to our FAQ archives to get more thorough info.
Work Rights | ‘No Work’ Condition
Permission to Work
Certain bridging visas carry a ‘No Work’ condition. Depending on your bridging visa subclass, you can apply to have the restriction waived. Just a gentle reminder: because bridging visas vary, the No Work condition applies differently to each subclass.
BVA (subclass 010)
☑️ Has the same work rights apply as your previous visa
☑️ Can gain work rights because of financial hardship
BVB (subclass 020)
☑️ Has the same work rights apply as your previous visa
BVC (subclass 030)
☑️ Doesn’t have work rights automatically
☑️ Apply for permission to work through evidence of financial hardship
BVE (subclass 050/051)
☑️ Doesn’t have work rights automatically
☑️ Apply for permission to work through evidence of financial hardship
With the BVA, BVC, and BVE you may choose to waive the ‘No Work’ restriction and be able to work in Aus for a certain duration of time.
Applying for Permission to Work
Show Evidence of Financial Hardship
Provide proof of lack of funds for basic living
- Budget
- Expenses
- Statutory declarations
Key Considerations
➡️ Immigration has to allow permission to work before you can do so
➡️ Have to provide a valid explanation for the need to work
4-Step Requirement Guide
1. Tell immigration of your specific situation
You can state that you lack finances and have little to no money and can not afford to survive in Australia. If you have family with you or you are the breadwinner, explain that you are compelled to work so you can provide for them.
2. Put together a budget
Make a breakdown of the costs you are most likely to spend a month.
Our rough estimate would be around $3000 to $4000.
3. List down monthly expenses
- Living expenses
- House lease agreement
- Utility bills
- Family’s financial needs
4. Include a Statutory Declaration
This statement outlines the costs you need to survive living in Australia.
If you’ve applied for an Employer-Sponsored Visa, request your employer to write a statement about the need for you to work in their company.
Application Alignment is a Must
Apply for work rights that don’t contradict the visa you’re actually applying for
Example. When you’re on a Student Visa, we don’t recommend you apply for work rights. Here’s why: in your SV application, you declared that you are able to fund your schooling. Waiving the ‘No Work’ condition would require you to explain your financial situation, and this doesn’t align with your initial declaration.
ImmiAccount Process: 4 Steps
1. Login to your ImmiAccount
Go to the Department of Home Affairs website and into the Immi portal.
2. Complete Form 1005
This is a 9-page application form for BVA, BVB, and BVC.
3. Look for Bridging Visa C
This visa is one of the bridging visas that offer a chance to the applicant to waive their ‘No Work’ condition.
4. Fill up application & attach documentation
Make sure that you fill up all the blanks and ensure all necessary documents are all in tact.
Heads Up! — Processing Time
It’s roughly around 2 weeks or longer. If you are scrimping on expenses, perhaps it’s better to apply at the earliest opportunity.
Important Note: Work Rights Application
A gentle reminder that submitting an application to lift the ‘No Work’ condition doesn’t guarantee approval. If you submit the requirements needed and follow the process, the approval is possible.
Submission + Results
Once you have submitted your application, you then wait for the results.
If your request for the ‘No Work’ condition to be lifted is approved, you can start working for your employer already. Awesome!
If your request for the ‘No Work’ condition to be lifted is not approved, it’s something we don’t want to happen, but if it does, that’s okay. You tried, and that’s what’s important. There is a possibility for reapplication if that’s something you want to pursue.
Employment & Work Rights Pathway
There’s no one way of obtaining work while holding a Bridging Visa. But what we can say for sure is that Immigration does give provisions to make employment possible. By learning more about your Bridging Visa, you’ll be able to be more aware about what you can and can’t do during this time of transition. We encourage you to do a deeper dive about your work rights so you can experience the possible benefits that come with them.
