Travel Permission Visa — The Only Bridging Visa With Travel Rights
Bridging Visa B – Subclass 020 Australia
The Only Bridging Visa That Lets You Leave Australia and Come Back — Without Losing Your Application
When you are waiting for a substantive visa decision — a partner visa, skilled visa, or student visa — you are likely on a Bridging Visa A. The BVA keeps you in Australia lawfully, but the moment you depart, your BVA ceases. Permanently. It is not paused. It ends.
And if your underlying application is an onshore-only visa like the Partner Visa (Subclass 820) or Protection Visa (Subclass 866), that departure may end your ability to have it decided in your favour.
The Bridging Visa B Subclass 020 solves exactly this problem. It is the only bridging visa that allows you to leave Australia while a substantive application is pending and to return lawfully when you come back.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents assist with Subclass 020 applications — preparing the right evidence, submitting before departure, and ensuring the travel period covers what you need.
Check Your Eligibility — Free
Visa Overview
What is the Bridging Visa B Subclass 020?
The Bridging Visa B (BVB) Subclass 020 is a temporary visa that allows holders of a Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010) — or an existing BVB — to travel outside Australia and return while their substantive visa application is being processed. It is the travel facility the BVA does not provide.
Australia's bridging visa family includes five main subclasses — the Subclass 010 BVA, Subclass 020 BVB, Subclass 030 BVC, Subclass 040/041 BVD, and Subclass 050/051 BVE. Of all of them, only the Subclass 020 allows travel outside Australia and return. The BVA ceases permanently the moment you depart. Every other bridging visa carries the same no-travel restriction.
The Subclass 020 does not replace the underlying BVA. When you depart on your BVB, your BVA is suspended — not cancelled. Your substantive application continues processing throughout your time overseas. When you return before the travel period expires, the BVA resumes automatically. No re-application, no fee, no action required.
Key Features of the Bridging Visa B Subclass 020
- The only bridging visa with travel rights — depart and return lawfully while application pends
- Must hold a BVA (Subclass 010) or existing BVB (Subclass 020) to be eligible
- Must be applied for and granted while physically in Australia — no offshore applications
- Specified travel period — typically up to three months, based on itinerary
- Single-entry or multiple-entry — depending on application and circumstances
- Travel period begins on first departure from Australia — not from date of grant
- BVA resumes automatically on return within the travel period
- Work rights mirror the underlying BVA exactly — no new rights added or removed
- Application fee AUD $190 per applicant — non-refundable
- Processing time 3 to 10 business days in 2025–26 — apply at least 2 to 4 weeks before travel
- Cannot be extended or renewed from offshore if expired while overseas
Understanding the Difference
Bridging Visa A vs Bridging Visa B — What's the Key Difference?
The single most important difference between a BVA and a BVB is travel. Understanding this distinction could save your visa application from being permanently affected by an avoidable departure error.
| Feature | Bridging Visa A — Subclass 010 | Bridging Visa B — Subclass 020 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel rights | None — ceases permanently on departure | Yes — depart and return within specified period |
| Application purpose | Lawful status while substantive visa is decided | Travel permission while BVA and application remain active |
| Granted automatically? | Yes — on lodgement of substantive application | No — must be applied for separately through ImmiAccount |
| Duration | Until substantive application is decided | Specified travel period — typically up to 3 months |
| Work rights | Varies — depends on substantive application type | Same as underlying BVA — no change |
| What happens on departure | BVA ceases permanently — application at risk | BVA suspended; resumes automatically on return |
| Cost | No charge (granted on substantive application) | AUD $190 per applicant |
Bridging Visa A — No Travel
The BVA keeps you lawfully in Australia while your substantive application is processed. The moment you step on a plane without a BVB, your BVA ceases permanently. Your application may be at serious risk, particularly for onshore-only visas.
Bridging Visa B — Travel Rights
The BVB is the travel permission layer added on top of your existing BVA. It authorises departure and return within a specified window. Your BVA is suspended — not cancelled — while you travel. On return, the BVA resumes and your application continues.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply for the Bridging Visa B Subclass 020?
Eligibility for the Subclass 020 is specific and directly tied to your current visa status and your genuine need to travel. There is no points test, no occupation requirement, and no employer involved. The criteria are situational.
You Must Hold a BVA or an Existing BVB
To apply for the Subclass 020, you must currently hold either a Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010) or an existing active Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020). If you hold a Bridging Visa C (Subclass 030), a Bridging Visa D (Subclass 040 or 041), or a Bridging Visa E (Subclass 050 or 051), you are not eligible for a BVB. The BVC in particular — issued when a substantive application is lodged after becoming unlawful — does not carry travel rights and cannot be converted into a BVB.
You Must Be in Australia at Application and Grant
Both the application and the grant of the BVB must occur while you are physically present in Australia. Departing before the BVB is granted means your BVA ceases on departure and there is no visa to return on. There are no exceptions to this rule. Apply at least two to four weeks before your intended departure date.
You Must Have a Pending Substantive Visa Application
The BVB is a bridging mechanism. It bridges the gap while a substantive visa is being decided. If there is no pending substantive visa application, there is no BVA — and without a BVA, there is no basis for a BVB.
You Must Have a Genuine Reason to Travel
The Department does not grant BVBs without a stated and evidenced purpose. Accepted reasons include family emergencies, planned family visits, work or professional obligations, education requirements, medical treatment overseas, planned holidays, honeymoons, and significant personal events. Applications without supporting evidence or a clear purpose experience delays or requests for further information.
Purpose & Limitations
What the BVB Does and Does Not Do
Understanding the purpose and the limitations of the Subclass 020 is essential for anyone planning to travel while a substantive visa application is pending.
Authorises Departure and Return
The BVB authorises you to depart Australia and return within a specified travel period — without your BVA ceasing and without your substantive application being affected.
Application Continues Uninterrupted
Your substantive application continues to be processed by the Department during your absence. You do not lose your place in any processing queue. The application proceeds on exactly the same timeline.
BVA Resumes on Return
When you return to Australia within the approved travel period, the BVA resumes automatically. No re-application, no fee, no action required. As simple as landing at the airport.
Does NOT Add Work Rights
Your work entitlements on the BVB are exactly the same as on your underlying BVA. The transition from BVA to BVB does not add or remove any employment entitlements. Always verify through VEVO before commencing employment.
Does NOT Allow Offshore Renewal
If your BVB expires while you are overseas, you cannot extend or renew it from offshore. Your right to re-enter Australia is automatically terminated. A Subclass 600 Visitor Visa may be needed to return — with serious implications for onshore-only applications.
Does NOT Pause Processing
The BVB does not pause or extend substantive application processing. The clock does not stop while you are overseas. The Department continues assessing your application as normal throughout your absence.
Key Benefits
Key Benefits of the Subclass 020
The Only Legal Way to Travel While Your Application Is Pending
For anyone on a BVA with a pending substantive application, the BVB is the only mechanism that allows international travel without permanently ending the BVA. There is no alternative. No workaround. No other visa that achieves the same outcome.
Flexible Travel Period Tailored to Your Itinerary
The BVB travel period is based on your actual travel dates — a two-week family visit gets a two-week BVB. A longer family medical situation may get a longer period. The window matches your real circumstances, not a fixed arbitrary duration.
Fast Processing for Urgent Cases
Standard processing is 3 to 10 business days. For genuine emergencies with proper documentation, the Department's fast-track pathway can deliver a decision in 1 to 5 business days. Urgent requests are submitted through the Department's webform with supporting medical or emergency documentation.
Affordable — AUD $190 Per Applicant
At AUD $190 per applicant, the BVB is one of the most cost-effective visa applications in Australia's migration system. A modest cost for the ability to travel internationally during a multi-year substantive visa processing wait.
Real Scenarios
When the Subclass 020 Matters Most
Understanding when and how the BVB applies in real life helps illustrate why it is more than just an administrative step.
Scenario 1 — Planned Travel
You are on a BVA with a partner visa pending. You want to visit family overseas for three weeks. You apply through ImmiAccount two to four weeks before departure with your itinerary and statement of purpose, pay AUD $190. Receive the BVB. Depart, return within the period. BVA resumes. Application continues.
Scenario 2 — Family Emergency
Urgent departure needed within days. Submit an urgent BVB request through the Department's webform with medical documentation. Urgent cases can be fast-tracked to 1–5 business days. Never depart before the BVB is granted — not even in an emergency. The consequences of departing without a valid BVB are irreversible.
Scenario 3 — BVB Expires Overseas
Return flight cancelled. Travel period expires. BVB ceases. Your right to re-enter Australia is automatically terminated. You cannot renew the BVB from offshore. For 820 or 866 applicants, even a Subclass 600 re-entry does not fully resolve the situation. Professional migration advice is essential before any action is taken.
Scenario 4 — Subsequent BVB
You return and need to travel again before the substantive application is decided. You can apply for a new BVB while your current BVA or BVB is active. Each is a separate application with its own AUD $190 fee and statement of purpose. There is no formal limit but each must be supported by a genuine evidenced travel reason.
Documents Required
What Documents Do You Need?
The BVB application is lodged online through ImmiAccount. The document requirements are not extensive, but quality and relevance directly affect processing speed and approval.
Core Requirements — All Applications
- Evidence of current BVA status — BVA grant letter or VEVO printout confirming active status
- Valid passport — sufficient validity to cover the entire intended travel period including return
- Travel itinerary — confirmed or planned flight bookings showing departure and return dates
- Statement of purpose — one to two pages clearly explaining the travel reason, specific dates, destination, and duration
Supporting Evidence by Travel Reason
- Family emergency: medical certificate, hospital admission records, or death certificate
- Work or professional travel: employer letter, conference registration confirmation
- Medical treatment overseas: treating physician's letter confirming treatment unavailability in Australia
- Planned holiday: confirmed flight and accommodation bookings
- Multiple-entry request: explanation of why multiple entries are needed, with supporting evidence for each trip
| Applicant Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD $190 — non-refundable |
| Each adult dependent included | AUD $190 — non-refundable |
| Each child dependent included | AUD $95 — non-refundable |
| Urgent processing (emergency fast-track) | No additional fee — documentation required |
Processing Timeframes
BVB Processing Time Australia 2025–26
In 2025–26, most straightforward BVB applications are processed within 3 to 10 business days. Applications requiring additional checks can take up to 14 days. Apply at least two to four weeks before your intended departure to allow sufficient time.
| Application Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Standard — straightforward application with complete documentation | 3 to 10 business days |
| Standard — additional checks or information required | Up to 14 business days |
| Urgent — genuine emergency with supporting documentation | 1 to 5 business days |
| Recommended lodgement lead time before travel | 2 to 4 weeks |
How We Help
Our Visa Process
Eligibility and Travel Risk Assessment
We confirm your BVA status, review your underlying substantive application type, and assess any specific risks — particularly for onshore-only applications like the Subclass 820 and Subclass 866. We advise clearly on the implications of travel for your specific situation before any application is lodged.
Statement of Purpose and Evidence Preparation
We prepare a clear, specific statement of purpose explaining the travel reason and supporting the requested travel period and entry type. We compile all relevant supporting documents — itineraries, medical records, employer letters, or other evidence — for a complete and well-supported application.
ImmiAccount Lodgement and Grant Tracking
We manage the complete application through ImmiAccount, confirm formal receipt, and track through to grant. We verify the granted travel period and conditions through VEVO and advise clearly on the exact terms of the travel facility.
VEVO Verification and Travel Briefing
Once granted, we verify all conditions through VEVO and provide a full briefing — the exact return-by date, what to do if travel plans change before departure, and the consequences of returning after the travel period expires.
Urgent Application Management
For emergency situations requiring immediate departure, we manage fast-track requests through the Department of Home Affairs' urgent application channels with the appropriate documentation to maximise the chance of a rapid decision.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Migration Republic
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The BVB is often treated as a minor administrative step. For straightforward planned travel, it is relatively uncomplicated. But the consequences of getting it wrong — departing without one, allowing it to expire overseas, not applying in time, or misunderstanding the implications for an onshore-only application — can be catastrophic for a substantive visa that has been in processing for months or years.
The predictable failures happen in avoidable ways: a BVA holder who departs without a BVB because they did not know they needed one; a BVB that expires overseas because a return flight was cancelled; a multiple-entry BVB not applied for when it was needed; an application lodged too late to be granted before departure.
Our MARA-registered migration agents handle BVB applications with the same care we give to substantive visa applications — because for someone mid-way through a multi-year partner visa or skilled visa process, the BVB is not a minor step. It is the mechanism that protects everything built during that wait.
Transparent Process
Regular updates at every stage — from application lodgement through to grant, VEVO verification, and your travel briefing. No surprises.
Onshore-Only Application Expertise
Careful assessment of BVB travel implications for Partner Visa and Protection Visa applicants — where the stakes of getting it wrong are highest.
Urgent Application Management
For emergency travel situations, we manage fast-track requests through the Department's urgent channels with the documentation needed to maximise the chance of a same-week decision.
Need to Travel While Your Visa Is Being Processed? The BVB Is Not Optional — It Is Essential.
If you are on a Bridging Visa A and need to leave Australia, departing without a Bridging Visa B Subclass 020 means your BVA ceases the moment you step on the plane. For many onshore applications, that cannot be undone.
Whether you are planning a family visit, dealing with an emergency overseas, travelling for work, or returning home during a multi-year processing wait — start with our free tools to understand your situation, then speak with a Migration Republic agent to apply correctly and with full clarity on what the travel period covers.
