Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Migration Visas | Australian Migration Resource

If you're currently in Australia on a bridging visa and wondering whether you can travel overseas, it's essential to fully understand how bridging visas work in relation to international travel. This comprehensive resource breaks down everything you need to know: from travel rights and risk assessment to practical steps, costs, and the unique challenges some applicants may face.

What is a Bridging Visa and Why is it Important?

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that lets you stay lawfully in Australia while your immigration status is being resolved. It's most commonly granted when you’ve applied for a substantive Australian visa (like a partner, skilled, or student visa) and need to remain legally in the country until your new visa is granted or your application is finally determined.

Types of Bridging Visas:

BVA (Bridging Visa A) – for applicants already in Australia with a substantive visa.
BVB (Bridging Visa B) – allows overseas travel while keeping your application in process.
BVC, BVD, BVE – generally for more specific or problematic circumstances.

Understanding your bridging visa is vital, as it directly impacts your ability to leave and return to Australia.

Can You Travel Overseas on a Bridging Visa?

Short answer: Only certain bridging visas (notably the Bridging Visa B or BVB) permit you to leave and return to Australia. Most bridging visas do not come with travel rights.

Why Is This Restriction in Place?

Bridging visas are designed to maintain your lawful status in Australia during a waiting period. If you depart the country on a bridging visa without permission, you may lose your right to return and potentially jeopardize your ongoing visa application.

How to Travel Overseas on a Bridging Visa

Step-by-Step: What You Need to Do

Check Your Bridging Visa Conditions
- Most Bridging Visa As (BVAs) do not allow re-entry if you leave Australia. If you leave on a BVA, your rights to return are lost.
Apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB)
- Purpose: Permits you to travel overseas and re-enter Australia while your substantive visa application is being processed.
- How to apply:
  - Apply online through immiAccount.
  - Complete Form 1006 if applying by paper.
- Documents you may need:
  - Valid passport.
  - Details of your planned travel (dates, countries, reasons).
  - Evidence of need for travel (e.g., medical emergencies, family events, business reasons).
Await BVB Grant Before Departure
- Only travel after your BVB is granted.
- Do not travel on a BVA or other bridging visas unless they carry travel rights, which is extremely rare.
Be Aware of Travel Period
- The BVB is granted with a specific travel period (commonly 3 months, sometimes longer on request).
- Multiple entries are possible within this time frame; check your BVB grant notice.
Return Before BVB Travel Authority Expires
- If your BVB travel facility expires while you are overseas, you may be unable to return to Australia, and your visa application may be refused or considered withdrawn.

How It Works in the Context of Australian Migration

Migration process continuity: For most applicants (partner, skilled, employer-sponsored, protection, student, etc.), your visa application stays active as long as you remain lawfully in Australia under a bridging visa or return before your travel authority expires.
Permanent residency applications: Traveling without a BVB can have serious consequences for PR applications, sometimes resulting in loss of eligibility.

Key Benefits and Features

Maintains lawful status while awaiting substantive visa outcome.
Allows urgent international travel (only with BVB).
Flexible travel periods (reasonable duration for most needs).
Preserves your place in the visa processing queue.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge	Solution
Need to travel urgently	Apply for a BVB with as much evidence as possible—medical certificates, family letters, etc.
Processing delays/lost time	Lodge BVB at least 2-3 weeks ahead; use ImmiAccount for tracking.
BVB refused or not granted	Seek legal migration advice immediately, or re-apply if possible.
Missed flight due to delays	Consider travel insurance and flexible tickets.
Longer travel desired	Request longer travel authority in BVB application with justification.
Stuck overseas if BVB expires	May not be able to return; must apply from outside or seek consular advice.

Who Applies for Bridging Visas? Common Professions & Scenarios

Migrants changing visa status: Students to skilled, bridging partner visa applicants, temporary work to permanent residency.
Professionals: Nurses, IT specialists, engineers, tradespeople, business owners, educators, medical researchers, chefs.
Carers and family members: Where travel for family reasons (illness, bereavement) is necessary.
Refugees and asylum seekers: Often subject to complex restrictions—specialist advice recommended.

FAQs: Real Life Scenarios

“I’m waiting for my partner visa to be granted and need to visit my sick parent overseas. What do I do?”

You must apply for a BVB before leaving Australia, provide medical evidence, and only depart once it’s granted.

“I left Australia on a BVA without a BVB. Can I return?”

Unfortunately, no. Departing on most bridging visas means you cannot re-enter