How to Apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB): Steps, Fees, and Rules

If you’re waiting on a work visa or other visa application while in Australia, you may need a bridging visa to cover any gaps in your legal right to reside. There are three bridging visa options in this case - including Bridging Visa B which is helpful in the event you need to leave Australia and return while your substantive visa application is still in processing.

Read on to learn about how to apply for Bridging Visa B online, the Bridging Visa B cost and the Bridging Visa B conditions you’ll need to meet. You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

What Is a Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020)?

A Bridging Visa B¹ (Subclass 020) - BVB - is a visa which may be issued while waiting for a substantive visa application to be processed, or while waiting for a judicial review if your original visa application was denied.

The BVB allows you to leave and return to Australia within a defined travel period and may offer one exit or multiple exits depending on the terms of the specific visa. You can only apply for a BVB if you already have another bridging visa, with applications usually made if an individual needs to urgently travel from Australia when their substantive visa application or review is pending.

There are several different options for a bridging visa which can be confusing to navigate. Here’s a quick summary of the key options and when they may be useful:

*Details summarised from official Australian government website, 17th March 2026 - check all visa requirements carefully and take professional advice if you’re unsure of which to apply for

Conditions for Bridging Visa B: When and Who Can Apply?

To apply for a Bridging Visa B you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have held a substantive visa for Australia (that is a visa other than a bridging visa, a criminal justice or enforcement visa which allows you to legally stay in Australia)
• You must already hold a Bridging Visa A (BVA) or a Bridging Visa B (BVB)
• You must have applied, within the required timeframe for a substantive visa, or be waiting on a judicial review
• You must have a good reason for wanting to travel
• You must meet standard good character requirements as for all Australian visas

It's important to note that you have to show you have a good and genuine reason to need to travel for this visa. While there’s not a specific list of acceptable reasons on the Australian government website, it’s not likely that taking a vacation would count. This visa is more likely to be granted for urgent family reasons, business travel that’s unavoidable, medical travel or similar scenarios, where this travel can’t simply be deferred until after your substantive visa application completes.

To get your BVB you’ll also need to pay the Bridging Visa B fees - we’ll cover how much to apply for Bridging Visa B, as well as the Bridging Visa B processing time in just a moment.

How to Apply for a Bridging Visa B

You must make your BVB application through ImmiAccount. Paper applications are no longer allowed.

Here’s how to apply for a BVB:

1. Make sure you already hold a bridging visa A or C, and check that your passport is valid
2. Gather the documents required for your BVB application
3. Log into ImmiAccount to make your BVB application - you'll need to enter the reason you need a BVB and you’ll be prompted to upload the documents needed to support your application
4. Pay the BVB fee
5. Await the visa application decision

Bridging Visa B Document Checklist

The documents needed for your BVB application can vary slightly depending on the reason you need to travel. However, generally you’ll need the following:

• Your valid passport which is linked to your existing Bridging visa and your substantive visa application
• Details of your travel itinerary - dates and address you’ll stay at, for example
• Proof of your reason for travel, such as a doctors letter if you’re travelling for medical help, or a death certificate if you need to travel to a funeral
• Health and character documents - a police certificate may be requested

You’re guided through the application online - but if you prefer you can also have an agent support you in making your application. This can help navigate the documents needed, particularly if you’re in a hurry and need to get everything submitted right the first time.

Bridging Visa B Processing Time

There are no published processing times for BVB bridging visas. However, the guidance online states that you should apply for your BVB no more than 3 months, and not less than 2 weeks, before the date on which you want to travel.

This visa is intended to cover times when you need to travel for a genuine reason while waiting for the outcome of another visa application. This means that you’ll need to apply as soon as you know you need to travel, to give yourself the best chance of getting your visa in good time.

Bridging Visa B Application Fees

The cost of applying for a BVB is 190 AUD. You’ll need to pay this at the point of making your application.

Summary: Applying for BVB

A Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) is a temporary visa you can apply for if you’re already in Australia and awaiting the outcome of an application for a substantive visa (or a review of a visa denial). You might need to apply for a BVB if you have a genuine need to travel while waiting for your full visa to be processed.

If you travel from Australia without a BVB, your underlying visa application may be cancelled. The BVB allows one or multiple trips out of Australia during a given time period, if you need to travel for family health reasons, for a wedding or funeral, or for urgent business for example.

Whatever reason you need to travel, make sure your BVB is active before you go so there are no problems on return to Australia - and remember to take Wise with you when you're overseas, to spend in 40+ currencies with themid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Travelling abroad? Bring along the Wise card to save on foreign transaction fees

Once your visa is sorted, don't forget to plan how you'll spend abroad to keep costs down. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 4x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

1. Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020)
2. Bridging Visa A (BVA)
3. Bridging Visa C (BVC)