Bridging Visa While Your Student Visa Is Being Processed
International students who renew their student visa onshore receive a Bridging Visa A while it is being processed. Understanding what the BVA allows helps you avoid breaching your visa conditions and keep your studies uninterrupted.
When a Student Receives the BVA
When a student lodges a new student visa (subclass 500) while their current student visa is still valid, they receive a BVA automatically when the old visa expires.
This lets the student continue to stay in Australia lawfully while the new visa is being decided.
Study Rights on a BVA
A student on a BVA (waiting on a student visa) can usually still:
- Continue studying at their enrolled institution
- Begin a new semester while waiting on the visa
Important: institutions usually need you to hold enrolled status and may ask for evidence of valid visa status. Providing BVA confirmation from VEVO is generally sufficient.
Work Rights on a BVA
A BVA granted while waiting on a student visa usually inherits the work conditions of the previous student visa:
- Student visas limit work (typically a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while studying)
- The BVA applies the equivalent condition
Check your BVA on VEVO to confirm the specific work conditions — sometimes condition 8105 (work limitation) still applies.
If you want to work more hours, you must NOT exceed the limit on your BVA — doing so is a breach of your visa conditions.
When a BVA Is Not Accepted by an Institution
Some institutions or scholarship programs require a full student visa and do not accept a BVA. Check with your institution and its migration officer about the specific policy.
If the New Student Visa Is Refused
If your new student visa is refused while you hold a BVA, you may have a right to appeal. During the appeal period, you usually receive a different bridging visa.
Find a migration agent as soon as you receive a refusal letter so you do not miss the appeal deadline.