Bridging Visa After Visa Refusal

Learn what happens to a bridging visa after an Australian visa refusal, including ART review, judicial review, BVE options, visa status and lawful stay.

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Bridging Visa After Visa Refusal Australia

If your Australian visa application has been refused while you are in Australia, what happens to your bridging visa depends on your circumstances, the type of bridging visa you hold and whether you have a right to seek review of the refusal. A visa refusal does not automatically mean that you can remain in Australia indefinitely. You need to check the refusal decision, your current visa status and any review rights as soon as possible.

In some situations, a bridging visa can allow you to remain lawfully in Australia while you pursue a merits review or judicial review of a visa refusal. The Department of Home Affairs recognises that Bridging Visa E may be granted in circumstances where a person is seeking merits or judicial review of a visa refusal or cancellation decision. However, eligibility for a particular bridging visa depends on the circumstances and applicable legal requirements.

If you have received a refusal letter, do not assume that your existing bridging visa will continue on the same basis. Your notification letter should explain whether you have a right to apply for review and the applicable deadline. The Administrative Review Tribunal also states that migration review time limits are strict and that the Department's decision letter should be checked to determine the applicable timeframe.

What Happens to a Bridging Visa After Visa Refusal?

The effect of a visa refusal on your bridging visa depends on the type of bridging visa and what happens next. If you have a right to seek review and take appropriate action within the required timeframe, you may have options for remaining lawfully in Australia while the review process is underway. In other cases, you may need to apply for a different bridging visa or take steps to depart Australia.

Situation	What to Check
Visa application refused	Read the refusal notification and check whether you have review rights.
Merits review available	Check the ART deadline and whether you need a new or further bridging visa.
Judicial review	Check whether judicial review is available and whether you meet the requirements for a bridging visa while proceedings continue.
No review option	You may need to depart Australia or explore another lawful immigration option if one is available.
No valid visa	You should take immediate steps to resolve your immigration status and avoid remaining unlawful.

You can use VEVO to check the details and conditions of an in-effect visa. This can help confirm the visa you currently hold, its expiry date and applicable conditions.

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Can I Get a Bridging Visa After Visa Refusal?

In some circumstances, yes. Australian immigration rules allow certain people who no longer hold a substantive visa to apply for bridging visas, including Bridging Visa A, B, C, D or E in specified circumstances. However, a previous visa refusal can restrict which visas you can apply for while you remain in Australia, so eligibility must be assessed against your individual circumstances.

A Bridging Visa E is particularly relevant to some people who are resolving their immigration status after a visa refusal or cancellation. It can allow an eligible person to remain lawfully in Australia for a limited period while they pursue a review, resolve their immigration status or make arrangements to leave. A BVE is not automatically granted simply because a visa application has been refused.

Bridging Visa After Visa Refusal and ART Review

If your refusal decision is reviewable by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), your decision letter should explain your review rights and the deadline. The ART states that migration review time limits are strict and cannot be extended by the Tribunal. If you intend to seek review, it is important to act before the applicable deadline.

The ART can review certain migration visa refusal and cancellation decisions. If you have a review right, the review application and bridging visa issues are separate matters: lodging an ART review does not by itself mean that a particular bridging visa will automatically be granted. You should establish what visa you hold and whether a further bridging visa application is required.

The current ART application fee for most migration decisions is $3,727 from 1 July 2026. Financial hardship reductions may be available in eligible circumstances. You should check the official ART fees information before lodging a review.

What If Your Bridging Visa Has Ceased?

If your bridging visa has ceased, you should not assume that you remain lawful in Australia. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for another bridging visa. The Department provides specific application pathways for Bridging Visas A, B and C and separate arrangements for Bridging Visa E.

If you do not hold a valid visa, remaining in Australia is unlawful. The Department warns that a person without a valid visa may be detained or removed from Australia. If your visa has expired or your bridging visa has ceased, prompt action is important.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I get a bridging visa after my Australian visa is refused?

Possibly. Your eligibility depends on your immigration circumstances, the visa you previously held, the refusal and whether you are seeking merits or judicial review. A bridging visa is not automatically granted after every visa refusal.

2. What happens to my bridging visa after visa refusal in Australia?

The effect depends on the type of bridging visa and what happens after the refusal. You may have review rights and may need to apply for or obtain another appropriate bridging visa. You should check your refusal letter and current visa status immediately.

3. Can I get a Bridging Visa E after visa refusal?

A Bridging Visa E may be available to eligible people who are resolving their immigration status, including some people seeking merits or judicial review of a visa refusal or cancellation. Meeting the relevant requirements is necessary, and a BVE is not automatically granted after a refusal.

4. Can I appeal a visa refusal and remain in Australia?

If you have a right to seek review, you may be able to remain lawfully in Australia while the review process is underway if you hold an appropriate visa or are granted an eligible bridging visa. The specific arrangements depend on your circumstances and the type of review.

5. What should I do if my bridging visa has expired after a visa refusal?

You should immediately check whether you hold another valid visa and determine whether you are eligible to apply for another bridging visa or take another lawful immigration step. If you do not hold a valid visa, you may be unlawful in Australia and should address your status promptly.