Visitor and Bridging Visas
Australia’s Visitor and Bridging Visas provide flexible solutions for people who want to visit Australia temporarily or remain lawfully in the country while another visa application is being processed. Whether you are travelling for tourism, visiting family, attending business meetings, or waiting for a visa decision, choosing the right visa is essential to avoid complications.
Visitor Visas, including the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa and Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), allow short-term stays for tourism and business purposes. Bridging Visas, such as Bridging Visa A (BVA), Bridging Visa B (BVB), and Bridging Visa E (BVE), allow eligible applicants to stay in Australia lawfully during visa transitions, appeals, or processing delays.
At My Immigration Options, we help clients understand their visitor or bridging visa options, maintain lawful status, and comply with visa conditions such as work rights and travel restrictions. With clear advice and careful preparation, we ensure your stay in Australia is compliant, stress-free, and aligned with your long-term plans.
Introduction
Not every trip to Australia requires a long-term visa. Many people simply want to visit family, attend business meetings, or experience Australia’s world-class tourism. For these purposes, a Visitor Visa is the most suitable option.
At the same time, people already in Australia often need short-term solutions while waiting for another visa application to be processed or resolved. In these cases, a Bridging Visa allows applicants to remain lawfully in the country while their main visa matter is being decided.
At My Immigration Options, we assist with both visitor and bridging visa applications, ensuring that clients remain compliant with their visa conditions and can continue their journey in Australia without interruption.
Visitor Visas
Visitor visas allow people to come to Australia temporarily for tourism, family visits, or short business activities. The two most common options are the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa and the Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
Subclass 600 Visitor Visa
The Subclass 600 is the most flexible visitor visa. It allows stays of up to 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the stream and circumstances. Applicants can apply for different streams, such as:
Tourist Stream – for holidays and family visits
Sponsored Family Stream – for visitors sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Business Visitor Stream – for short business-related travel, such as meetings or conferences
The 600 visa can be applied for both offshore and onshore, although onshore applications may have different requirements and costs. Applicants must demonstrate genuine temporary entry, sufficient funds, and an intention to return home after their stay.
Bridging Visas
Bridging Visas are temporary visas that allow applicants to remain in Australia lawfully while waiting for a new visa decision, preparing to leave the country, or resolving immigration matters. They do not usually allow re-entry to Australia once you leave, and their conditions vary depending on the subclass.
The most common Bridging Visas include:
Bridging Visa A (BVA): Allows you to stay in Australia after your current visa expires while a new application is processed. It is granted when you lodge a new substantive visa onshore.
Bridging Visa B (BVB): Similar to the BVA, but includes travel rights. This means you can leave and return to Australia while waiting for a decision. It is often used by applicants who need to travel for urgent reasons during long visa processing periods.
Bridging Visa E (BVE): Granted in more complex situations, usually for people who are unlawful or whose visa has expired. It allows them to remain lawfully in Australia while resolving their immigration matter or preparing to depart.
Each bridging visa comes with specific conditions, such as work rights, reporting obligations, or health insurance requirements.
Why Visitor and Bridging Visas Matter
Visitor and bridging visas may seem straightforward, but they play an essential role in Australia’s migration system. Visitor visas ensure that tourism and short-term visits are lawful and well-regulated. Bridging visas prevent people from becoming unlawful while dealing with visa applications, appeals, or complex situations.
Applying correctly is crucial. Submitting the wrong form, misunderstanding the conditions, or failing to maintain lawful status can result in refusal or cancellation. In some cases, this may even impact future visa applications.
Common Issues
Applicants often face challenges such as:
Being refused a visitor visa because they cannot demonstrate sufficient ties to their home country
Applying for the wrong stream of the visitor visa
Forgetting to apply for a bridging visa when their current visa expires
Not understanding work or travel conditions on bridging visas
Facing complications due to past overstays or refusals
Many of these problems can be avoided with professional advice before lodging an application.
Why Apply with My Immigration Options?
At My Immigration Options, we assist clients in understanding which visitor or bridging visa best suits their circumstances.
By working with us, you benefit from:
Assessing eligibility for visitor visas and advising on the correct stream
Preparing visitor visa applications with strong supporting evidence
Helping clients maintain lawful status by applying for bridging visas when needed
Advising on conditions of bridging visas, including work rights and travel permissions
Representing clients in complex situations where visas have expired or compliance issues have arisen
We approach each case with care, ensuring clients can travel or remain in Australia with confidence and peace of mind.
Conclusion
Visitor and bridging visas are an important part of Australia’s migration system, providing solutions for short-term travel and lawful stays during visa transitions. While they may appear simple on the surface, mistakes or misunderstandings can have serious consequences.
At My Immigration Options, we provide clear, professional advice to ensure that your visitor or bridging visa application is strong, compliant, and tailored to your situation. Whether you need to visit family, attend business meetings, or remain in Australia while awaiting a visa decision, we are here to help.
Need help with a Visitor or Bridging Visa?
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