Updated Guide | Bridging Visa E 050 and 051
For people resolving an immigration matter, waiting for an eligible process to finish or making arrangements to leave Australia.
A Bridging Visa E Australia (BVE) is a temporary visa that can keep an eligible person lawful while they resolve their immigration status. It may be relevant after a visa expires or is cancelled, during certain visa or review processes, or while departure arrangements are being finalised.
Current government application charge: AUD 0. A BVE application is free and the visa can only be granted while the applicant is in Australia.
A BVE does not erase an overstay, guarantee work permission, provide travel rights or create an automatic pathway to another visa. The correct strategy depends on the person’s immigration history, current proceedings, visa conditions and any onshore application bar. For an overview of the wider system, see VEM’s Australian bridging visa guide.
What is a Bridging Visa E?
The BVE is a short-term status-resolution visa. It lets a person remain lawfully in Australia for the period or purpose stated in the grant, such as making arrangements to depart, finalising an immigration matter or waiting for an eligible immigration decision. It is not a substantive visa and does not itself grant permanent residence.
Remain lawful
The visa can provide lawful status while the specified immigration issue is resolved.
No travel facility
A BVE ceases when its holder leaves Australia and cannot be used to return.
Individual conditions
Work, reporting and other restrictions depend on the grant and must be checked in VEVO.
Bridging Visa E subclass 050 vs subclass 051
| Point |
Subclass 050 – General |
Subclass 051 – Protection Visa Applicant |
| Typical use |
Status resolution, departure arrangements or an eligible immigration process. |
A narrow category connected with eligible protection visa applicants. |
| Location |
Must be in Australia for grant. |
Must be in Australia for grant. |
| Fee |
AUD 0 |
AUD 0 |
Subclass 051 has detailed statutory criteria and should not be treated as a general alternative to subclass 050. The application facts, not the applicant’s preferred label, determine whether a subclass is available.
Who may be eligible for a Bridging E visa?
For subclass 050, the person is commonly unlawful, already holds a BVE, or holds a Bridging Visa D. They must also have a valid status-resolution purpose. Depending on the case, evidence may concern:
- Arrangements to leave Australia, including identity or travel-document steps and a proposed departure date;
- An undecided substantive visa application that can validly be pursued;
- Merits review before the Administrative Review Tribunal or judicial review proceedings;
- A relevant ministerial intervention or status-resolution process;
- Identity, character and cooperation with reasonable departmental requests.
Do not assume eligibility because another visa has expired
Home Affairs assesses the precise legal criteria, immigration history and purpose. A BVE application should explain what matter is being finalised and what the applicant is doing to resolve it.
Bridging Visa E application: online and Form 1008
An eligible subclass 050 applicant can generally make an Australia e visa application online through ImmiAccount. Where the paper route is required or appropriate, the current Bridging Visa E application form is Form 1008 – Application for Bridging visa E – subclass 050. Subclass 051 applicants should follow the current Home Affairs instructions applicable to their case.
1. Check status immediately
Confirm whether the previous visa is still in effect, the expiry or cancellation date, and any existing bridging visa.
2. Identify the resolution purpose
Explain the application, review, court, departure or other immigration process that supports the request.
3. Prepare evidence
Include identity documents, Australian residential address, immigration correspondence, proceeding details, departure plans and financial evidence if requesting work permission.
4. Lodge correctly
Use ImmiAccount where available or the current Form 1008 instructions. Keep proof of submission and copies of every attachment.
5. Cooperate after lodgement
Attend interviews or reporting appointments, provide biometrics or character information if requested and update contact details promptly.
Bridging Visa E work rights
Work rights are not automatic. Many BVE grants carry condition 8101, which prohibits work. The only safe source for an individual is the current grant letter and VEVO record. Working when condition 8101 applies can expose the holder to cancellation and future immigration consequences.
A person seeking permission to work may need to apply for another BVE with changed conditions and show a qualifying basis, commonly a compelling need to work because of financial hardship. Evidence can include bank statements, rent and utility bills, essential living expenses, family support obligations, debts, attempts to obtain assistance, and a realistic budget.
Check first
Verify the exact conditions in VEVO before accepting a shift, ABN work or unpaid work-like activity.
Prove the need
A statement alone may be insufficient; provide current income, assets, liabilities, and necessary expenses.
Wait for grant
Lodging a work-rights request does not remove an existing no-work condition.
The correct form and pathway depend on why the BVE was granted. Form 1008 contains the subclass 050 application and work-related questions; Form 1005 is used for specified bridging visa applications and condition changes. Follow current Department instructions rather than relying on an old downloadable form. No separate published service standard guarantees a Bridging Visa E work rights application decision within a fixed number of days.
Bridging Visa E conditions
No overseas travel
The BVE ends on departure. It cannot be replaced with a Bridging Visa B for a simple trip and return.
Work restriction
Condition 8101 may prohibit work; other work restrictions can apply to particular cohorts.
Reporting and address
The holder may need to report, attend appointments, live at a notified address or advise changes.
Behaviour requirements
Some subclass 050 holders must sign and comply with the Code of Behaviour in Form 1443.
The visa may cease on a date or when a specified event occurs, for example, after an immigration process ends or when the holder departs. The grant letter controls. Use VEM’s VEVO guide to check status and conditions.
Can you go from a Bridging Visa E to a Partner visa?
There is no automatic “BVE to partner visa” conversion. A person may be able to lodge a Partner visa application, but validity and prospects depend on their circumstances. Important issues can include whether they are an unlawful non-citizen, whether section 48 prevents another onshore application, the schedule 3 criteria for certain onshore Partner applicants, any previous refusal or cancellation, the relationship evidence and whether an offshore application is more appropriate.
Marriage does not automatically fix visa status
Having an Australian spouse or de facto partner does not cancel an overstay, remove every application bar or guarantee a Partner visa. Get case-specific advice before lodging or leaving Australia, because either step can change available options.
For the visa categories and relationship evidence, read VEM’s Partner visa Australia guide.
Bridging Visa E and the 3-year re-entry ban
Holding or departing on a BVE does not by itself automatically impose a three-year ban. Home Affairs says an exclusion period of up to three years may apply where a person overstayed a visa by more than 28 days or where a visa was cancelled for specified reasons, including false information, certain conduct or breach of a condition.
A re-entry ban mainly affects the grant of certain temporary visas. A person can still lodge an application and ask for the ban to be waived with compelling or compassionate circumstances, but a waiver is not guaranteed. For permanent visas, Home Affairs states that immigration history is considered in the assessment. Check the cancellation notice, overstay dates and criteria for the proposed future visa before departure.
Bridging Visa E processing time and cost
Government fee
AUD 0
No Visa Application Charge for subclass 050 or 051.
Processing time
No fixed guarantee
Use Home Affairs’ live processing-time guide for the latest available indication.
Timing varies with urgency, identity checks, the complexity of the immigration history, the quality of evidence, interviews and outstanding character or departure arrangements. Do not rely on forum claims such as “24 hours” or “one week”. An incomplete application or a separate work-rights request may take longer. If the current visa has expired, contact Home Affairs’ Immigration Status Resolution Service promptly rather than waiting for an estimated timeframe.
Common BVE application mistakes
- Waiting while unlawful: delaying action because the person expects a BVE to be automatic.
- Using the wrong form: submitting an outdated Form 1005 or 1008 without checking current instructions.
- Weak resolution plan: not explaining the pending process or concrete departure arrangements.
- Working too early: starting work after lodging a condition-change request but before receiving permission.
- Leaving Australia: assuming the BVE permits return or can be converted into travel permission.
- Assuming marriage solves the case: lodging a Partner visa without assessing section 48, schedule 3, and immigration history.
- Misstating the three-year ban: treating it as automatic instead of checking the actual overstay or cancellation ground.
Need to resolve your visa status?
Bring your visa history, refusal or cancellation letters, review documents and current VEVO record for a case-specific assessment.
Contact VEM Visa
Bridging Visa E FAQs
How much does a BVE application cost?
The current government application charge is AUD 0 for subclasses 050 and 051.
Can I work on a Bridging Visa E?
Only if the individual grant permits it. Many BVE holders have condition 8101 and cannot work. Check VEVO; if eligible, apply for changed conditions and wait for a new grant before working.
Can I travel overseas on a BVE?
No. A BVE ceases when its holder leaves Australia and cannot be used to return. Obtain advice about future visa and re-entry consequences before departing.
Does BVE automatically cause a three-year ban?
No. A re-entry ban may arise from more than 28 days of overstay or specified cancellation grounds. The person’s dates, notices and future visa category must be assessed.
Can a BVE holder apply for a Partner visa?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Section 48, schedule 3, prior refusals or cancellations, relationship evidence and the applicant’s status can materially affect application validity and outcome.
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