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Bridging Visa B Australia 2026: Travel Overseas While a Visa Is Processing
Updated: Nov 4
A Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) is the bridging visa designed to allow eligible people to leave and re-enter Australia during a defined travel period while their immigration matter remains pending.
1 November 2026 update: protection applicants and BVB travel
Checked 4 November 2026. New Bridging Visa B applications made from 1 November 2026 are subject to restrictions where a valid Protection (Class XA) visa application remains undetermined or unwithdrawn, or related judicial-review proceedings, including appeals, remain incomplete. The amended rules also require a qualifying non-protection substantive visa matter. Holding a BVA or having another visa application does not, by itself, overcome the protection restriction.
Home Affairs says BVB applications lodged before 1 November will still be processed. This change does not itself cancel an existing BVB travel facility. Check the grant letter, travel expiry and individual circumstances before departing; an expired travel facility cannot simply be extended. Do not withdraw a protection application as a travel workaround without individual legal advice.
The changes are in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (F2026L01448), including Schedule 1 item 1302 and Schedule 2 clause 020.224. This section concerns travel while a protection matter is pending; condition 8559 concerns travel after protection is granted.
Why is a BVB different from other bridging visas?
Home Affairs states that only a Bridging Visa B allows a person to leave and re-enter Australia while waiting for a decision on a substantive visa. If a person departs Australia while another type of bridging visa is in effect, that bridging visa will generally cease.
Official travel guidance: Travel while your visa is being processed.
The travel period is limited
A BVB is granted with a defined travel period rather than unlimited travel rights. Home Affairs states that it considers the reason for travel and when it is likely to make a decision on the substantive visa when determining that travel period.
How do you apply?
The method depends on how the substantive visa application was lodged and whether review proceedings are involved. Home Affairs provides an online webform route for eligible paper-based BVA, BVB and BVC matters and requires Form 1006 for a BVB through that route. BVB applications require payment of the applicable charge before submission.
Application guidance: Submit a Bridging Visa A, B or C application.
Do not assume a pending application lets you return
A pending substantive visa application does not itself provide a right to re-enter Australia after departure. Before travel, the traveller should check the visa that will authorise departure and return, its travel validity and any effect travel may have on the pending application or review.
For the wider visa system, see the Australian Visa Subclass Database.