Bridging Visa E (050/051)

What this visa lets you do

• Stay lawfully in Australia while you sort out your immigration situation, wait for a decision, or arrange to leave.
• In some cases, the visa may include work rights — check your specific grant to see if you can work.
• Subclass 051 is specifically for certain non-citizens who are waiting for a Protection visa decision and who meet regulation rules.
• Stay: Temporary — lets you remain lawfully in Australia while your immigration matter is resolved.
• Processing times: Use the Department’s visa processing times tool for recent decision times this is only a guide and not specific to every application.

Who can apply / key eligibility rules

General rules (applies to both 050 and 051):

• You must be in Australia when the Department decides your application.
• You must obey all Australian laws while on this visa.

Specific notes:

• Subclass 050 is often used to fix your immigration status (for example, if you are currently unlawful) or in other situations the Department specifies.
• Subclass 051 is used in limited situations for people waiting for a Protection visa decision, if they meet the rules set out in the Migration Regulations.

How to apply (simple steps)

1. Check you meet the rules above.
2. Gather documents.
3. Apply online 
4. Wait for the decision. You must be in Australia when the application is decided.

Important notes and cautions

• The BVE gives temporary lawful status only — it does not automatically give travel rights to leave and return to Australia. If you need to travel, get the correct bridging visa with travel permission.