Bridging Visa B Australia (Subclass 020)
Last Updated: 04 September 2026
What Is a Bridging Visa B?
A Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) is a temporary visa that allows a person in Australia to leave and return lawfully while waiting for a decision on another visa application.
A Bridging Visa B is mainly used by people who already hold a bridging visa and need temporary travel rights. Unlike a Bridging Visa A, a BVB includes a travel facility that allows departure from and re-entry to Australia during an approved period.
A Bridging Visa B does not replace the substantive visa application being processed. It simply maintains lawful status and temporary travel rights while the application remains undecided.
Learn more in our Bridging Visa Australia hub or refer to the official Department of Home Affairs Bridging Visa B page.
How Much Does a Bridging Visa B (BVB) Cost?
The standard Australian Government application fee for a Bridging Visa B (BVB, subclass 020) is AUD575. This fee applies under the changes effective from 1 July 2026. The reduced AUD 195 rate applies to eligible holders of a valid passport from: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu. If the reduced rate isn't recognised at the time you lodge, the Department will refund the difference.
Fee information checked: 4 September 2026.
Are There Additional Fees for Family Members?
Additional applicant charges are nil for family members whose applications are combined with the main application under the applicable rules. This applies to both adult applicants and applicants under 18. It does not mean that every separate family member application is free.
These charges are set out in the Australian Government’s visa fee amendments, Schedule 3, item 65.
Are Payment Surcharges and Agent Fees Included?
A payment surcharge may apply when paying by credit card or PayPal. See Home Affairs payment and fee information.
The government application fee does not include RACC’s professional service fees or any document translation costs. Contact RACC for its current service fee and the services included.
Before lodging, check the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm the charge that applies to your application.
How Long Does Bridging Visa B Processing Take?
Home Affairs does not publish a processing time for the Bridging Visa B. Its own guidance states: "There are no processing times available for this visa." There's no percentile figure to check and no tracking dashboard — once you've applied, you wait to be contacted.
Home Affairs identifies several factors that can affect visa processing, including:
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Missing documents or incorrect information.
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How quickly you respond to requests for further information.
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Checks by external agencies.
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Application complexity and application volumes.
These are general processing factors, not a published BVB processing timeframe. Home Affairs — Visa processing times
Can an Urgent BVB Application Be Prioritised?
Home Affairs considers requests for expedited processing where there is an urgent reason to travel on a bridging visa. Requests are assessed individually; faster processing is not guaranteed. Home Affairs — Urgent applications
Do not submit a duplicate application to chase a decision, as Home Affairs warns this can contribute to delays. Home Affairs — BVB application guidance
If you are relying on a bridging visa for travel, obtain your BVB grant before leaving Australia. Check the permitted travel period in your grant notification. Home Affairs — Travel on a bridging visa
How Long Before Travel Should You Apply?
Who Usually Applies for a Bridging Visa B?
A Bridging Visa B is commonly used by applicants who:
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Need to travel overseas temporarily
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Hold a bridging visa without travel rights
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Are waiting for a decision on another visa application
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Need to return to Australia lawfully after travel
Typical applicants include people awaiting decisions for:
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Partner visas
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Skilled visas
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Student visas
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Employer-sponsored visas
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Graduate visas
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Protection visas
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Parent visas
Many applicants mistakenly assume their existing bridging visa permits travel. In most cases, a Bridging Visa A does not allow re-entry after leaving Australia.
Why Is a Bridging Visa B Important?
A Bridging Visa B is important because leaving Australia without valid re-entry rights can cause an existing bridging visa to cease.
If a bridging visa ceases after departure, the person may be unable to return to Australia while their substantive visa application is still processing.
This can create major complications for:
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Partner visa applicants with Australian families
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Students continuing Australian courses
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Skilled migrants working in Australia
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Employer-sponsored workers
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Applicants needing to attend biometrics or health examinations
A Bridging Visa B helps reduce this risk by providing temporary travel permission.
What Does a Bridging Visa B Allow You To Do?
A Bridging Visa B generally allows you to:
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Remain lawfully in Australia
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Leave Australia temporarily
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Return to Australia during the travel validity period
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Continue waiting for a visa decision
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Maintain conditions linked to your previous bridging visa
The visa conditions usually mirror the conditions attached to the previous bridging visa or substantive visa circumstances.
Depending on the case, the visa may include:
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Work rights
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Study rights
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No work rights
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Restricted work conditions
Common conditions may include:
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Condition 8101 — no work
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Condition 8105 — work limitations for students
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Condition 8201 — study restrictions
Applicants should always review the actual grant notice carefully.
Does a Bridging Visa B Guarantee Re-Entry?
No. A Bridging Visa B provides travel permission, but it does not guarantee entry into Australia.
Australian Border Force officers still assess entry requirements at the border.
A person may still face issues if they:
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Breach visa conditions
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Provide misleading information
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Become subject to cancellation grounds
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Experience character or security concerns
However, a valid Bridging Visa B generally allows lawful re-entry within the approved travel period.
How Long Is a Bridging Visa B Valid?
The travel facility on a Bridging Visa B is usually granted for a limited period.
Many travel facilities are granted for:
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A few weeks
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Several months
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Up to 12 months in some situations
The approved period depends on:
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Reason for travel
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Supporting evidence
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Individual circumstances
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Expected processing timeframe
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Department discretion
The visa itself generally remains active while the substantive visa application is being processed or until another migration outcome occurs.
What Happens If You Return After the Travel Period Expires?
If you attempt to return after the travel facility expires, you may not be able to re-enter Australia on that Bridging Visa B.
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the visa.
The travel facility validity period is critical. If it expires while you are overseas, you may need to apply for another visa offshore, which may not always be possible.
Applicants should avoid:
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Booking uncertain return dates
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Assuming automatic extensions
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Remaining overseas longer than approved
If travel plans change, migration advice may be necessary before the travel period expires.
Can You Apply for a Bridging Visa B Outside Australia?
Generally, a Bridging Visa B application must be made while the applicant is in Australia.
The visa is designed to support people already in Australia who hold or will hold a bridging visa linked to another visa application.
Leaving Australia before the BVB is granted can create complications because some bridging visas cease upon departure.
Who Is Eligible for a Bridging Visa B?
Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, but applicants generally must:
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Be in Australia when applying
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Hold a bridging visa or be eligible for one
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Have a substantive visa application underway in certain circumstances
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Demonstrate a genuine reason for travel
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Meet identity and legal requirements
The Department of Home Affairs may also consider:
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Compliance history
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Visa status
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Previous immigration issues
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Character concerns
A Bridging Visa B is discretionary, meaning approval is not automatic.
What Reasons Are Accepted for Travel?
The Department does not publish a fixed list of approved reasons, but common examples include:
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Family emergencies
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Visiting sick relatives
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Business travel
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Work obligations
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Academic commitments
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Weddings or funerals
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Compassionate circumstances
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Essential personal travel
Supporting documents can strengthen an application.
Examples may include:
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Medical records
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Employer letters
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Flight itineraries
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Family documents
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Invitations
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Statutory declarations
How Do You Apply for a Bridging Visa B?
Most applicants apply online through an ImmiAccount.
The application process generally involves:
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Logging into ImmiAccount
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Completing the Bridging Visa B application
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Uploading supporting documents
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Explaining the travel reason
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Paying the visa application charge
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Waiting for a decision
Applicants should not leave Australia before the Bridging Visa B is granted unless they understand the migration consequences.
Can You Work on a Bridging Visa B?
Work rights depend on the conditions attached to the Bridging Visa B.
Some applicants retain existing work rights, while others remain subject to restrictions.
For example:
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Partner visa applicants often continue existing work rights
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Student-related cases may retain student work limitations
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Some applicants may have no work rights
A Bridging Visa B does not automatically grant unrestricted employment.
The grant notice determines the actual conditions.
You can't request a change to your BVB's conditions directly — for example, to add work rights. To change conditions, you must apply for a Bridging Visa A instead and demonstrate financial hardship as part of that application. If your BVB was granted based on a judicial review application, its conditions can't be changed at all.
Can You Study on a Bridging Visa B?
Study rights depend on the visa conditions attached to the Bridging Visa B.
Many applicants can continue studying if their underlying circumstances already permit study.
However, some applicants may face restrictions depending on their migration pathway and prior visa conditions.
Does a Bridging Visa B Provide Medicare Access?
Medicare eligibility depends on the person’s broader visa circumstances rather than the Bridging Visa B itself.
Some bridging visa holders may qualify for Medicare through:
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Reciprocal health agreements
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Partner visa pathways
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Protection visa applications
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Other eligible arrangements
Eligibility should be checked separately with Services Australia.
What Happens If Your Main Visa Is Refused?
If the substantive visa application is refused, the Bridging Visa B does not continue indefinitely.
The visa may cease after:
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Review periods expire
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Tribunal proceedings conclude
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Further applications are not lodged
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Removal or cancellation events occur
The exact outcome depends on the applicant’s legal and migration circumstances.
Applicants facing refusal should seek professional migration advice quickly because deadlines can be strict.
Bridging Visa B vs Bridging Visa A
The main difference is travel rights.
Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010) generally does not allow a person to return to Australia after departure.
Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) includes temporary travel permission.
Many people only discover this difference after planning overseas travel, which can create serious migration complications.
Bridging Visa B vs Bridging Visa C
A Bridging Visa C (Subclass 030) is usually associated with applicants who lodged a substantive visa application while unlawful or after their previous substantive visa ceased.
A Bridging Visa B focuses specifically on temporary travel and re-entry rights.
Not all Bridging Visa C holders are eligible for a Bridging Visa B.
Common Bridging Visa B Mistakes
Leaving Australia Before the BVB Is Granted
Departing Australia too early can cause existing bridging arrangements to cease.
Applicants should wait for the grant notification before travelling.
Assuming the Travel Period Is Unlimited
The travel facility expires on a specific date.
Returning late can prevent re-entry.
Ignoring Visa Conditions
Work and study conditions still apply while holding a Bridging Visa B.
Using Incorrect Return Dates
Travel disruptions can create major problems if the return date exceeds the approved travel period.
Assuming a BVB Guarantees Future Visa Approval
A Bridging Visa B only manages lawful status and travel rights. It does not influence the outcome of the substantive visa application.
When Should You Apply for a Bridging Visa B?
Apply no more than 3 months, and no less than 2 weeks, before the date you intend to travel. Applying too early risks Home Affairs being unable to assess your substantive visa's readiness for a decision. Applying too late risks not being granted before you leave — and if that happens, you won't hold a visa that lets you return to Australia. You would then need to be granted a completely new substantive visa from outside Australia before you could come back, with no guarantee it would be approved. Read our article about How Long Before Travel Should You Apply?
Can Family Members Be Included?
In some cases, family members may need separate bridging visa arrangements depending on their own visa status and applications.
Each applicant’s circumstances should be assessed individually.
Family members should not assume automatic travel rights based on another person’s Bridging Visa B.
Related Visa Pathways
A Bridging Visa B is commonly connected to broader migration pathways, including:
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Partner visas
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Skilled migration visas
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Employer-sponsored visas
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Student visas
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Graduate visas
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Parent visas
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Protection visas
The bridging visa itself is temporary and does not provide permanent residency directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel overseas on a Bridging Visa A?
Generally, no. Leaving Australia on a Bridging Visa A may cause the visa to cease, preventing lawful re-entry unless another visa is granted.
Can I get another Bridging Visa B later?
Yes. In some circumstances, applicants may apply for another Bridging Visa B if further travel is necessary and eligibility requirements are met.
Approval is discretionary.
Can I stay outside Australia for the entire BVB validity period?
You may remain overseas during the approved travel period, but you must return before the travel facility expires if you want to re-enter Australia on that visa.
Does a Bridging Visa B lead to permanent residency?
No. A Bridging Visa B is only a temporary bridging visa linked to another substantive visa application.
Can a Bridging Visa B be refused?
Yes. Applications can be refused if eligibility requirements are not met or if the Department is not satisfied with the circumstances.
How long before I travel should I apply for a Bridging Visa B?
Apply no more than 3 months and no less than 2 weeks before your intended travel date. Applying too early or too late both carry risk — see "When Should You Apply for a Bridging Visa B?" above.
Can I change the conditions on my Bridging Visa B?
No. You'd need to apply for a Bridging Visa A instead and prove financial hardship. If your BVB was granted through a judicial review application, conditions can't be changed at all.
What happens if my Bridging Visa B expires while I am in Australia?
The outcome depends on your substantive visa application and any new bridging arrangements that apply afterward.
Bridging visa holders for 408 visa, 485 visa; both are eligible to apply for Bridging visa B, which if approved will allow you to travel outside of Australia.
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Visa application fee AU$167.31
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RACC service fee AU$165.00
Book a Free Consultation regarding this via this link:
https://www.racc.net.au/migration-agent-education-agent
