Processing times / Bridging visa A
Bridging visa A (subclass 010)
A bridging visa A keeps you lawful in Australia while an onshore visa application is decided. It is free, usually granted automatically with that application, and has no published processing time: how long you hold it depends on the visa you applied for.
Cost
Free
Processing time
None published
Return travel
No
Key facts
- Home Affairs publishes no processing time for the bridging visa A (subclass 010); it is usually granted automatically with an onshore substantive visa application.
- A BVA is free and keeps you lawful in Australia until your substantive application is finally determined.
- A BVA that is in effect ceases when you leave Australia; to travel and return you need a bridging visa B.
Checked against Home Affairs every day. Last checked 11 November 2026.
Cite this page
AusVisaClock. “Bridging visa A (subclass 010).” Updated 12 November 2026. https://ausvisaclock.com/bridging-visa-a/
The figures come from the Department of Home Affairs. You may quote them with a link to this page.
How long will I be on a BVA?
As long as your substantive application takes. These are the onshore visas most people hold a BVA for.
Bridging visa A questions
How long does a bridging visa A take?
Home Affairs publishes no processing time for the BVA. Nearly all bridging visas are applied for automatically as part of a valid onshore substantive visa application, and you are told when one is granted. Check VEVO to see whether you already hold one.
When does a bridging visa A come into effect?
A BVA comes into effect when your current substantive visa ceases, or when it is granted if your substantive visa has already ceased or the BVA is more beneficial than your current bridging visa. Until then, the conditions of your current visa still apply.
Can I work on a bridging visa A?
It depends on the conditions on your BVA, shown in your grant letter and VEVO. If your BVA restricts work, you can apply for another BVA that lets you work, usually by showing financial hardship.
Can I travel overseas on a bridging visa A?
No. A BVA does not support return travel, and a BVA that is in effect ceases when you leave Australia. To travel and come back while your application is processed, you need a bridging visa B granted before you leave.
How long does a bridging visa A last?
It lets you stay lawfully until your substantive visa application is finally determined, or, where granted for judicial review, until those proceedings are completed. So the wait is the processing time of the visa you applied for.