Bridging visa E (subclasses 050 and 051)

Which BVE is which?

• Subclass 050 (general): generally for people who are currently unlawful, who hold a BVE 050 or who hold a Bridging D visa (041).
• Subclass 051 (protection visa applicant): used in limited situations, set by the Regulations, to let certain eligible people stay lawfully while their protection visa application is processed.

Who can apply for a 050?

You must be an unlawful non-citizen or hold a BVE or BVD when you apply, and one of these must be true: - you are making arrangements to leave Australia, - you are applying for a substantive visa, or - you are seeking merits or judicial review of a visa or citizenship decision, or seeking ministerial intervention.

You must meet the character requirement, and there is no age limit (children apply on a parent or guardian's application). You cannot apply in anticipation of becoming unlawful. If your substantive visa is still in effect, look at other options first and apply only after it has ended. Sometimes a valid substantive visa application also counts as a BVE application, and you are told. Check whether a visa cancellation or earlier refusal affects your eligibility.

Can you work on a BVE?

Your grant letter says whether you may work. If you work when you are not allowed to, the BVE can be cancelled, you can be detained and you could be removed from Australia. If you are not allowed to work, only some situations let you apply for a new BVE that does, such as financial hardship, with different rules for judicial review, ministerial intervention and protection visa applicants. See bridging visa work rights.

How long does it last and can you travel?

It is valid until a specified date, period or event. It also ends if you leave Australia, are granted a substantive visa or it is cancelled. It cannot be extended, and you cannot return after leaving unless you hold another substantive visa. If you cannot leave or resolve your matter in time, you apply for a new BVE or look at other options. The Status Resolution Service can help, and financial help to leave is available through the Help to leave Australia program.

Cost and processing

There is no fee. For an indication of processing times, use the Home Affairs processing times guide for recently decided applications. Applications take longer if they are incomplete or need verification. See also what to do if your visa expired.