Bridging visas for General Skilled Migration
For General Skilled Migration visas that can be granted while you are in Australia, bridging visas ensure you remain lawful in case your current visa ceases before a decision is made on your visa application. A bridging visa will also ensure you remain lawful if your visa application is refused and you seek merits review of this refusal decision.
Bridging A (subclass 010) visas
If you make a valid application for a General Skilled Migration visa that can be granted while you are in Australia and your application is assessed as valid, you will usually be granted with a Bridging A (subclass 010) visa.
You will be notified in writing of the decision to grant you a Bridging A visa. This Bridging A visa will only come into effect when your Student visa, or other substantive visa, ceases.
This bridging is electronic and you do not need to have a label in your passport.
Important: You cannot travel overseas on a Bridging A visa.
Bridging B (subclass 020) visas
To travel overseas for compelling and compassionate reasons, you must apply for a Bridging B (subclass 020) visa to allow you to return to Australia.
Note: This is not required if have another visa which allows you to return to Australia.
These visa applications should be lodged with your nearest departmental office. As part of this application, you must demonstrate that you have compelling and compassionate reasons for needing to travel.
See: Australian Offices