Bridging Visa C (Subclass 030) Australia
Work Rights, Rules & Eligibility
Last Updated: 7 Sep 2026
A Bridging Visa C (BVC) is free to apply for, has no published processing time, and lets you stay lawfully in Australia while a new substantive visa application is decided — but unlike a Bridging Visa A, it doesn't support any travel outside Australia.
Whether you can work on it depends on which visa you applied for, not on your personal circumstances alone.
See our full Bridging Visas Options in Australia guide for how BVC compares to the other bridging visa types. This guide covers the fee, eligibility, work rights, and exactly when a BVC ceases — sourced directly from the Department of Home Affairs' current BVC guidance.
What Is a Bridging Visa C?
A Bridging Visa C is a temporary visa that keeps you lawfully in Australia after you lodge a valid application for a substantive visa, in situations where you didn't hold a substantive visa at the time you applied.
This is the key difference from a Bridging Visa A: a BVA is generally granted when you still hold a substantive visa at the time of your new application. A BVC applies when you don't.
A BVC doesn't lead to permanent residency by itself — it only bridges the gap between lodging your application and Home Affairs deciding it.
Bridging Visa C Fee
A Bridging Visa C has no visa application charge. The Department of Home Affairs lists the cost as free — AUD 0, whether it's granted automatically alongside your substantive visa application or applied for separately.
How Long Does a Bridging Visa C Take to Be Granted?
Home Affairs does not publish a processing time for the Bridging Visa C. Its own guidance states plainly: "There are no processing times available for this visa."
This is consistent across the entire BVA/BVB/BVC group — none of them are queued applications with a measurable timeframe. A BVC is usually granted automatically at the same time as your substantive visa application, and its conditions only take effect once your circumstances require it (see "When Does a Bridging Visa C Come Into Effect?" below).
Who Is Eligible for a Bridging Visa C?
You may be eligible for a BVC if you meet all of the following:
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You did not hold a substantive visa at the time you lodged your new substantive visa application
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You do not currently hold, and have not held, a Bridging Visa E since you last held a substantive visa
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You're in Australia when you apply
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Your substantive visa application has not been finally determined, or you've applied for judicial review within the prescribed timeframe (35 days from the date of the Tribunal's decision) and those proceedings aren't complete — and for the judicial review pathway specifically, you must have previously held a BVC in relation to that same substantive visa application
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You meet the character requirement
You can be any age to apply. A bridging visa — BVC included — can't be used while a citizenship application is being decided.
When Does a Bridging Visa C Come Into Effect?
A BVC comes into effect when one of the following happens:
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It is granted
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Your current substantive visa ceases
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Another bridging visa that's more beneficial than your current one ceases
If you hold a substantive visa at the time your BVC is granted, you keep complying with that visa's conditions until it ceases — the BVC's conditions only apply from that point.
Can You Work on a Bridging Visa C?
This depends on which substantive visa you applied for — not on a general hardship test.
The initial BVC granted alongside your substantive visa application will not let you work, unless you applied for one of these visas:
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Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
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Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
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Skilled — Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
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Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
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Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)
If you applied for one of these ten visas, your BVC lets you work from the start. If you applied for anything else, your initial BVC won't include work rights.
How Do You Get Work Rights If Your BVC Doesn't Allow Them?
If your BVC doesn't let you work, you can apply for a further BVC without that restriction — but you'll generally need to demonstrate financial hardship, backed by evidence of your living expenses and inability to meet basic needs.
Home Affairs assesses each case individually. If you don't meet the requirement, you'll be granted a new BVC carrying the same work restriction as before.
If your BVC was granted in connection with a judicial review application, the rules are more specific:
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Protection visa applicants: your new BVC will only allow work if the BVC you held immediately before it also allowed work
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SkillSelect visa applicants (a visa applied for through SkillSelect): your BVC won't initially allow work — you'd need a further application demonstrating financial hardship, same as above
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Everyone else: your new BVC won't allow work, even if your previous BVC did
Can You Travel Overseas on a Bridging Visa C?
No. A Bridging Visa C doesn't support travel outside Australia. If you leave while it's in effect, it ceases immediately on departure.
Unlike a Bridging Visa A, a BVC holder can't be granted a Bridging Visa B to travel and return while their substantive visa is being processed — that pathway isn't available to you on a BVC.
What Happens If You Leave Australia on a Bridging Visa C?
If you leave Australia while your BVC is in effect and you don't hold another visa that lets you return, you'll need to apply for and be granted a new substantive visa from outside Australia before you can come back — with no guarantee it will be approved. Get migration advice before travelling if you're on a BVC and unsure of your status.
How Long Does a Bridging Visa C Last?
Your BVC ends immediately if:
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You leave Australia while it's in effect
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You're granted the substantive visa you applied for
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You're granted another bridging visa in relation to the same substantive visa application
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Home Affairs cancels your BVC or the substantive visa you held when the BVC was granted
In every other case, your BVC's cessation date depends on when it was granted:
Granted on or after 19 November 2016 — your BVC ceases:
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35 calendar days after a refusal decision or an Administrative Review Tribunal decision on your substantive visa application, or after a determination that your application (or tribunal review) is invalid, or after you withdraw either
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28 calendar days after a judicial review body upholds the refusal, or you withdraw a judicial review application
Granted before 19 November 2016 — a flat 28-day cessation period applies instead, triggered by the same range of outcomes.
Difference Between Bridging Visa A and Bridging Visa C
The core difference is your visa status at the time you apply for a new substantive visa. A Bridging Visa A is generally granted when you still hold a substantive visa. A Bridging Visa C is generally granted when you don't. That single difference also drives the other gaps between them: BVA holders can go on to apply for a Bridging Visa B for travel; BVC holders can't.
Can Family Members Be Included?
If you and your family apply together for a substantive visa, you may also apply together for a BVC. Each family member is assessed individually against BVC requirements — inclusion in your application doesn't guarantee the same outcome for everyone.
How Do You Apply for a Bridging Visa C?
How you apply depends on how you lodged your substantive visa application:
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If it was through ImmiAccount, you apply for the BVC through ImmiAccount too
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If it was a paper application, or you're applying in connection with a judicial review, you use Form 1005 via the online webform
You and anyone included in the application must be in Australia both when you lodge and when the decision is made. Home Affairs doesn't provide status updates during processing.
Can You Apply for Another Visa While Holding a Bridging Visa C?
Possibly — it depends on the visa type, your lawful status history, any prior refusals or cancellations, and whether Schedule 3 criteria apply to the specific application. (This section covers general Migration Regulations concepts rather than BVC-specific guidance from immi — worth an independent check against the current Schedule 2/Schedule 3 criteria for your specific visa type before relying on it.)
Can a Bridging Visa C Lead to Permanent Residency?
Not directly. A BVC itself doesn't count toward permanent residency — but the substantive visa it's linked to might, if that application is approved. The bridging visa's only role is keeping you lawful while that decision is pending.
Can a Bridging Visa C Be Cancelled?
Yes — Home Affairs can cancel a BVC, most commonly if visa conditions are breached, false information was provided, or the linked substantive visa application becomes invalid. Cancellation can leave you unlawful if you don't hold another valid visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Bridging Visa C a substantive visa?
No. A substantive visa is any visa other than a bridging, criminal justice, or enforcement visa. A BVC exists only to maintain lawful status while a substantive visa application is decided.
How much does a Bridging Visa C cost?
Nothing — the Department of Home Affairs lists the BVC application charge as free (AUD 0).
How long does a Bridging Visa C take to be granted?
Home Affairs doesn't publish a processing time for the BVC. It's usually granted automatically alongside your substantive visa application rather than processed as a separate queue.
Can I work on a Bridging Visa C?
Only if you applied for one of ten specific substantive visas (including the 189, 190, 186, and 494). Otherwise, your initial BVC won't include work rights, and you'd need to apply separately and show financial hardship to get them.
Can I travel overseas on a Bridging Visa C?
No. A BVC doesn't support travel outside Australia, and it can't be paired with a Bridging Visa B to allow travel and return.
Can I get a Bridging Visa B while holding a Bridging Visa C?
No. BVC holders aren't eligible for a Bridging Visa B under any circumstances.
Does a Bridging Visa C count toward permanent residency?
No — only the linked substantive visa can lead to permanent residency, not the bridging visa itself.
Related Visa Pathways
Confused About Your Bridging Visa Conditions?
Not sure if you can work, travel, or stay lawfully in Australia on your Bridging Visa?
A small mistake with visa conditions or travel plans can create serious immigration issues.
Why Choose RACC Australia?
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Over 20 years of Australian migration experience
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Registered Migration Agents (MARN 1572962, MARN 1172003, MARN 2518802)
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Assistance understanding Bridging Visa conditions and obligations
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Advice on work rights, travel rights and visa status issues
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Support following visa refusals and review options
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Guidance on preparing supporting documents for ongoing visa applications
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Assistance with police checks and required documentation
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Advice regarding health examinations and insurance requirements where applicable
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Support for applicants both inside and outside Australia
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Multilingual team speaking English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhalese, Malay, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi and more
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Rated 4.8 out of 5 for customer satisfaction
Don't Risk Your Visa Status
A simple misunderstanding about Bridging Visa conditions, travel arrangements or work rights can create serious immigration complications. Obtaining the right advice early can help you understand your options and maintain lawful status while your immigration matter is being resolved.
Contact RACC Australia today to discuss your Bridging Visa situation and receive professional migration advice tailored to your circumstances.
