Bridging Visa Australia
If your current visa has expired or you are waiting for a decision on a new visa, a Bridging Visa allows you to remain in Australia legally. At CMI Legal, our experienced migration lawyers help you apply for the correct Bridging Visa, maintain your legal status, and manage the process smoothly from start to finish.
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What Is a Bridging Visa in Australia?
A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa issued by the Department of Home Affairs that lets you stay lawfully in Australia while your main visa application is being assessed or finalised. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a Bridging Visa A (BVA), Bridging Visa B (BVB), Bridging Visa C (BVC), or Bridging Visa E (BVE).
Our migration lawyers in Sydney review your individual circumstances, explain which type best suits your situation, and prepare your application with precision to minimise processing delays or compliance issues.
Bridging Visa A (BVA)
Allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while your new visa application is being processed. No travel rights.
Bridging Visa B (BVB)
Provides lawful stay + permission to travel overseas temporarily while awaiting your visa decision.
Bridging Visa C (BVC)
Available if you applied for a new visa after your previous one expired. Usually, no travel rights.
Bridging Visa E (BVE)
Allows you to stay lawfully in Australia if you’re resolving an immigration issue, such as awaiting a review or departure arrangement.
Visa Stress? Here’s How We Simplify Every Step
Transparent Fee Structure
We provide a clear, itemised quote upfront—no hidden costs, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Direct Lawyer Access
Talk one-on-one with our senior immigration lawyer whenever you need personalised advice and swift answers.
Real-Time Case Updates
Stay in the loop with automated notifications and progress reports at every stage of your application.
Why Apply for a Bridging Visa?
Applying for a Bridging Visa is essential if you wish to remain in Australia while your visa or immigration matter is under review. Without it, you risk being unlawfully present, which can lead to detention, visa cancellation, or future travel bans.
Our immigration lawyers provide practical support to prevent these issues, ensuring you stay legally protected throughout the visa process.
Key Reasons to Apply
- Maintain Lawful Status: Avoid unlawful stay and remain compliant while your visa is under assessment.
- Continue Living and Working: In many cases, bridging visas allow you to live and work in Australia until a decision is made.
- Travel or Exit Arrangements: Certain bridging visas (like BVB) provide limited travel rights if you need to leave temporarily.
- Peace of Mind: Know your status is secure and your case is being handled correctly under the Migration Act 1958.
Need Help With Your Bridging Visa?
Book Your Consultation and Get Practical Advice You Can Trust.
*Our Expert Migration Lawyers Offer 15-minute General Advice Or 45-minute In-depth, Tailored Consultations To Suit Your Needs.
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Get Expert Migration Support For Your Australian Visa Today!
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Whether you need to stay in Australia while your visa is processed or you require urgent legal support to regularise your status, our migration lawyers are here to help.
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Suite 904/10 Help St, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia
Our Bridging Visa Application Process
Applying for a bridging visa involves strict eligibility and documentation requirements. Our lawyers manage the entire process with attention to detail and ensure that every submission meets Home Affairs standards.
Initial Consultation & Eligibility Assessment
We start by assessing your visa history, current status, and the reason you need a bridging visa. We advise which subclass applies and clarify the travel or work conditions you may receive.
Document Preparation & Application Lodgement
Our team collects the required forms, identity proofs, and supporting evidence. We then prepare and lodge your bridging visa application with Home Affairs on your behalf, ensuring every detail is accurate.
Communication & Follow-Up
We monitor your case, respond to any requests for further information, and keep you informed about the status of your application in real time.
Visa Grant & Post-Approval Support
After approval, we will brief you on your visa conditions, such as work rights, travel permissions, and expiry dates, so you remain fully compliant until your main visa decision is made.
Common Legal Challenges We Solve for Small Businesses
No Employment Contract - Now Facing Claims
Challenge – You hired someone without a proper employment contract, and now they’re making claims.
Our Solution: We draft comprehensive employment contracts that clearly define duties, termination procedures, and confidentiality obligations. When disputes arise, we provide representation in Fair Work matters, helping resolve unfair dismissal and workplace claims with minimal business disruption.
Business Partnership Separation Issues
Challenge – Your business partnership is breaking down, and you need to separate, but you have no agreement.
Our Solution: This is why we strongly recommend shareholder agreements from day one. When partnerships dissolve without formal agreements, we guide you through negotiated settlements, asset division, and legal separation processes that protect your business interests.
Trademark Infringement by Competitors
Challenge: A competitor is using your brand name. Can you stop them?
Our Solution: If your trade mark is registered, we can take legal action against trademark infringement. If unregistered, your options are more limited, which is why trademark registration is critical. We handle opposition proceedings and enforce your intellectual property rights through cease and desist letters or court proceedings when necessary.
First Major Contract Review & Negotiation
Challenge – You’re signing your first major commercial contract and don’t understand the terms?
Our Solution: Our contract lawyers provide contract review services with plain-language explanations of legal terms, liability clauses, termination rights, and risk factors. We negotiate amendments to protect your position and ensure the agreement supports your business goals rather than exposing you to unnecessary legal risks.
Business Growth & Restructuring Decisions
Challenge: Your business is growing, do you need to change from a sole trader to a company?
Our Solution: We analyse your liability exposure, tax position, and growth plans to recommend the right business structure. If restructuring makes sense, we handle the company formation and transition process, ensuring legal compliance every step of the way.
Avoiding Unfair Dismissal Risks
Challenge – You need to terminate an employee, but don’t want an unfair dismissal claim?
Our Solution: We guide you through compliant termination procedures under Fair Work laws, including documentation requirements, notice periods, and redundancy considerations. Proper process significantly reduces the risk of claims.
Why Choose CMI Legal for Your Bridging Visa Application
Our Migration Lawyers Reviews
Client Testimonials and Reviews
Based on 61 reviews
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I’ve had an incredibly positive experience working with John & Winnie on my matter. From start to finish, they have been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout what’s been a stressful time for me.
They explained every step of the process clearly, responded promptly to any questions I had, and made complicated situations feel a lot more manageable. I felt like I was in good hands the entire time, and their calm, confident approach really helped me stay grounded.
Highly recommend CMI services to anyone needing immigration or legal assistance — couldn’t be more grateful.
Thanks again!
They explained every step of the process clearly, responded promptly to any questions I had, and made complicated situations feel a lot more manageable. I felt like I was in good hands the entire time, and their calm, confident approach really helped me stay grounded.
Highly recommend CMI services to anyone needing immigration or legal assistance — couldn’t be more grateful.
Thanks again!
As an old customer of CMI, this year is already the 8th year. Special thanks to attorney John and attorney Tina for carefully answering our various questions, providing a lot of professional advice and help, allowing us to easily complete each transaction.
Tina was a great lawyer - she was always incredibly knowledgeable, answered all questions promptly, and very friendly. Would recommend Tina!
Tina was a great help in guiding us through our first home buying experience. She gave us a lot of great explanations and advice from initial discussion of the process through every step until successful settlement. Communication and resolution of issues was prompt and professional.
Tina is a fantastic lawyer. her responses to my queries were thorough and timely, and impeccable organizational skills! Truly appreciated her clear and consistent communcation througout the entire property-purchasing process. she handled everything with profressionalism and expertise, making what could have been a stressful experience much smoother. Highly recommend!
We had the pleasure of working with Tina as our solicitor for our first home purchase, and we couldn’t have been in better hands. She carefully explained every step of the process, guiding us through what initially felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. Buying off the plan made us particularly cautious, especially when it came to reviewing legal documents. Tina’s meticulous approach put us at ease—she ensured we both clearly understood each aspect, taking the time to highlight and reorganise information to make it more accessible. Her dedication and professionalism made the entire experience far less daunting, and we’re truly grateful for her support.
John and Tina have provided great professional legal service since 2017 for me.
I realised that I hadn’t left a review for my dealings with CMI legal. I had dealt with them a few months ago, but an epiphany made me come and leave a review.
5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.
5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.
FAQs About Bridging Visa in Australia
A Bridging Visa allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while the Department assesses your main visa application. It keeps your legal status intact so you can remain in the country without interruption.
You need to lodge an application with evidence supporting your travel plans. We prepare the paperwork, organise your documents, and manage the entire process to give your application the best chance of approval.
Yes, but you must act before your visa ends. Applying early helps you avoid becoming unlawful and ensures you continue to meet Australia’s immigration requirements.
Most Bridging Visa B applications take around 15 to 25 working days. Timeframes vary depending on your circumstances and how quickly the Department is processing applications at the time.
If your application is refused, we can review the reasons, prepare an appeal, or help you lodge a stronger application with improved supporting documents to address any concerns raised by the Department.
Yes. A Bridging Visa B lets you travel overseas for a limited period while your main visa is being assessed. You must return within the timeframe granted on your visa.
Our firm offers clear fixed-fee pricing for Bridging Visa B applications, and we explain all government charges upfront so you understand the full cost before we begin.
A Bridging Visa B includes travel rights, while a Bridging Visa E is mainly for people resolving immigration issues or awaiting further decisions and usually comes with stricter conditions.
A Bridging Visa stays valid until the Department decides your main visa or your immigration matter is finalised. The exact period depends on the visa you are waiting for.
In many cases, yes. We review your eligibility, explain your available visa options, and help you transition to a visa that supports your long-term plans in Australia.
A Bridging Visa E typically takes two to six weeks to process. Timeframes depend on your situation, the documents provided, and the Department’s current workload.
Most Bridging Visas remain valid until a decision is made on your main application. In some situations, a renewal may be required, and we ensure you remain lawful throughout the process.
Meet Our Experienced Team of Migration Lawyers
Tina Tang
Lawyer
Rita Lam
Lawyer
Mathew Wu
Director
Jhon Zhang
Principal
Malorie Tan
Lawyer