It can take years for a partner visa to be approved – a partner bridging visa will allow you to stay in Australia while you wait for a decision on your partner visa. Find out more about how a bridging visa for partner visas works, your visa options and eligibility, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Published 24 November 2025
Written by Con Paxinos (MARN 1460971), owner and director of PAX Migration
Con is a leading expert in the migration industry with 11 years of experience and is the former Vice President and South Australian State President of the Migration Institute of Australia and Chair of the Migration Institute Temporary Visa Program Advisory Panel. Together with his team of experts at PAX Migration, Con has been awarded the Leading Adviser Award (2022), the ThreeBestRated® Award (2020–2025) and the Fellow of the Migration Institute of Australia, an award bestowed on those practitioners who have made significant contributions to the migration profession, recognising their contributions to the Institute, profession and society generally, and their good standing and ethics.
Explore the partner bridging visas expert guide
What to know about partner bridging visas
- Partner bridging visas are for people who lodge their partner visa applications onshore in Australia, to allow them to stay in the country as a lawful non-citizen while their application is being processed.
- You don’t need to apply for a partner bridging visa – it’s granted automatically when you apply for the 820/801 partner visa.
- Partner bridging visas are only temporary and cannot be used for permanent residency.
Types of partner bridging visas for partner visa applicants
There are two types of bridging visas for partner visa applicants, depending on your existing visa status at the time you lodge your partner visa application.
Subclass 010 Bridging Visa A (BVA)
This partner bridging visa is for those who hold a substantive visa, like a study, work or travel visa when they apply for a partner visa. Your BVA partner bridging visa will only come into effect when your current substantive visa expires – you’ll need to continue to follow the conditions of your active visa until your BVA comes into effect.
Subclass 030 Bridging Visa C (BVC)
This partner bridging visa is for those who don’t hold a substantive visa, like another bridging visa, criminal justice visa or enforcement visa. The BVC comes into effect immediately after lodging your partner visa application.
“A core principle of Australia’s migration laws under the Migration Act 1958, is that individuals must arrive lawfully and abide by the conditions of their visa. An unlawful non-citizen can be removed or deported from Australia. It’s important that this situation be avoided for all non-citizens in Australia, and that’s where partner bridging visas come in. They allow you to stay in Australia lawfully while your partner visa application is being assessed.”
Feeling overwhelmed? We’re here to help.
Our expert team will be at your side at every stage of your partner visa journey, from understanding eligibility requirements and gathering evidence to submitting your application.
Your rights (and obligations) when you hold a partner bridging visa
Your partner bridging visa means you can study, enrol in Medicare and stay in Australia while you wait for a decision on your partner visa application.
If you hold a BVA partner bridging visa, you’ll also have working rights while you’re in Australia. If you hold a BVC visa you’ll need to apply separately for worker’s rights and will need to have a compelling reason to work.
While you hold a partner bridging visa, you won’t have travel rights, which means you can’t leave and then re-enter Australia on your bridging visa. If you want to re-enter Australia, you’ll need to:
- Re-enter Australia while your current substantive visa is valid (not your partner bridging visa)
- Wait until you have been granted a partner visa (if your application is successful)
- Hold a Bridging Visa B (BVB) – this bridging visa is identical to the BVA and BVC except it comes with travel rights (you’ll need to apply for the BVB at least two weeks before your planned travel date and should not leave Australia until it’s granted)
The expiry of your partner bridging visa
The bridging partner visa will come to an end if:
- Your partner visa is granted
- You depart Australia while your BVA or BVC is in effect
- You are granted a BVB (as this will replace the BVA or BVC)
- Immigration cancels the visa you held when you were granted the BVA or BVC, or it cancels the bridging visa itself
If your partner visa application is refused, your partner bridging visa will allow you to stay in Australia for up to 35 days after the refusal decision. This gives you time to consider your options and either prepare to leave the country or appeal the decision.
“Bridging visas, and partner visas generally, are a complicated area of the law. We recommend that you speak to a professional for advice tailored to your situation. At PAX Migration, we consider your personal circumstances and our team of experts work with you on finding a visa pathway that best suits your needs.”
Partner bridging visas: frequently asked questions
A partner visa allows you to live in Australia if you are married to or in a de-facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. You can apply for a partner visa from offshore or onshore.
A partner bridging visa means you can stay in Australia legally while waiting for a decision on your partner visa application. It “bridges” the gap between one visa to the next so that you keep your status a lawful non-citizen during the partner visa application process. Without a valid visa or partner bridging visa, you can be removed or deported from Australia.
There’s no cost for a partner bridging visa, however you will need to pay the fees for the 820/801 partner visa you’ve lodged an application for and any other costs associated with submitting that application, like health checks, translation fees, and professional fees if you’re working with a migration agent.
Yes, however you must be able to demonstrate compelling or compassionate circumstances to justify the grant of the visa. There are also important steps you’ll need to take before lodging your partner visa application on a bridging visa that don’t apply if you’re holding a substantive visa.
“We’ve helped over 2,000 clients with bridging visas, on everything from choosing the right visa and lodging their application, to helping them navigate visa refusal appeals for a positive outcome. Our team of experts can answer any question you have about partner bridging visas and help you find a pathway to your life in Australia.”
Not sure where to start? Let’s talk.
At PAX Migration, we’re experts in all things migration and we’ll be by your side at every stage of your partner visa journey, from understanding eligibility requirements and gathering evidence to submitting your application.
About the author
Con Paxinos is a dedicated immigration expert who has helped over 200 clients with their partner visa applications.
Con holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law, a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand. A recognised leader in the immigration advice industry, he’s served on the board of the Migration Institute of Australia and advisory panels to educate and improve Australia’s immigration system, including the Migration Institute Temporary Visa Program Advisory Panel (2024), the South Australian Ministerial Advisory Council for the Minister for Innovation and Skills (2020 – 2022) and is a current member of the South Australian State MIA Committee (2023 – 2025). He’s provided testimony to the Commonwealth Joint Standing Committee on Migration on four occasions (2019 – 2023) and presented at dozens of seminars and conferences on visas and migration. Con works closely with state and federal governments as well as senior officials within the Department of Home Affairs and other stakeholders in the Australian immigration ecosystem to advocate for improved policy outcomes.