A Bridging Visa A (BVA) is automatically granted to most people who apply for a substantive Australian visa while they are in Australia. It lets you remain lawfully in Australia while your new visa application is being processed, preventing you from falling into an unlawful status. Understanding your BVA conditions is critical: not all BVAs grant work rights, and none allow you to leave Australia without also obtaining a Bridging Visa B.

Key Requirements

•  Must have applied for a substantive visa while holding a valid visa in Australia

•  Application must have been validly lodged before the existing visa expired

•  BVA conditions are set by the Department; not all applicants receive the same conditions

•  Work rights condition (Condition 8101) must be lifted separately if not automatically included

Who is This Visa For?

People who are in Australia, hold a current substantive visa, and have lodged an application for another substantive visa before their current visa expires. Automatically granted in most cases, you don't apply for a BVA separately.

Visa Conditions and Key Details

•  Allows lawful stay in Australia during substantive visa processing

•  Work rights: Depends on conditions set: check your BVA grant notice carefully

•  Cannot leave Australia without also obtaining a Bridging Visa B (BVB)

•  BVA ceases when a substantive visa is granted or refused (or when you depart without a BVB)

•  Health cover: Not Medicare eligible unless your underlying application grants it

Processing Time and Cost

•  Processing Time: Automatically granted, no separate processing

•  Visa Application Charge: No charge

How We Help

Gemini monitors clients' bridging visa status as part of all substantive visa applications, ensures work rights conditions are correct, advises on BVB applications before any planned international travel, and manages transitions when visa decisions are made.