Last updated: 13 November 2026
Times have changed for the Bridging Visa B. For years, the Bridging Visa B (BVB) was a cheap, routine application that almost everyone waiting on a visa could get. That is no longer the case. Since 1 July 2026 it costs $575, three times what it cost before, and applications are being refused when the reason to travel is not strong enough.
If you are waiting for a visa decision in Australia and plan to travel overseas, read this before you book flights or pay the fee.
Key points at a glance
- Higher fee: the Bridging Visa B fee rose from $190 to $575 on 1 July 2026, an increase of more than 200%, while most other visa fees went up by about 25%.
- A long-standing rule, now decisive: you must have “substantial reasons” to leave and return to Australia. This requirement has always existed, but today it often decides the outcome.
- Refusals happen: a Bridging Visa B can be refused, and the fee is generally not refunded.
- Plan ahead: apply with a clear, documented reason, and do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is granted.
What Is a Bridging Visa B?
A Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) lets you leave Australia and come back while you wait for a decision on a substantive visa application, such as a partner visa, a skilled visa or an employer-sponsored visa.
When you apply for a visa in Australia, you usually receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA). It keeps you lawful while your application is processed, but it has no travel rights. If you leave Australia on a Bridging Visa A, it ends, and you may not be able to return on it. A Bridging Visa B gives you a set travel period during which you can leave and re-enter Australia.
With processing times for many visas measured in months or years, plenty of people need to travel at least once while they wait: for family, for work or for an emergency.
Then and Now: How the Bridging Visa B Changed
Before
$190
A low-cost application that was rarely refused. Many applicants did not even know that a “substantial reason” to travel was a requirement.
From 1 July 2026
$575
A significant expense, assessed more strictly. The reason for travel is closely examined, and refusals are a real possibility.
The cost has tripled
The Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 raised visa application charges from 1 July 2026. Most visas went up by about 25%. The Bridging Visa B went from $190 to $575. Holders of a passport from a Pacific country or Timor-Leste pay $195.
The fee is paid when you apply and is generally not refunded if the visa is refused. If you are refused and apply again, you pay again.
Professional fees are likely to follow. The Bridging Visa B has gone from a simple administrative formality to a visa application that may need real planning, a well-argued case and supporting evidence. As the work involved grows, the cost of professional help is likely to increase in proportion.
The “substantial reason” requirement now carries real weight
The Migration Regulations have always required that a Bridging Visa B applicant has substantial reasons for wishing to leave and re-enter Australia. This is not new. What has changed is how much it matters.
In the past, this requirement was rarely an obstacle, and many people were unaware it existed. Today, in our experience, it has become close to the deciding factor. Applications based on general reasons, such as a holiday or a visit without a specific purpose, are more likely to be questioned or refused.
Important: anyone who needs a Bridging Visa B, for any reason, should know that after paying a significant fee, the visa can be refused.
What Counts as a Substantial Reason to Travel?
There is no fixed list. Each application is assessed on its own facts. As a general guide, the stronger and more specific the reason, and the better it is documented, the better your chances.
Reasons that are usually stronger
- serious illness, surgery or death of a close family member;
- the wedding or funeral of an immediate family member;
- essential business or work travel required by your employer;
- legal, court or government matters that need you in person;
- compelling family responsibilities, such as caring for a parent.
Reasons that are usually weaker
- a holiday or general tourism;
- visiting friends or family without a specific event or need;
- cheap flights or a convenient travel window;
- a vague reason with no supporting documents;
- travel dates far longer than the stated reason requires.
Whatever your reason, evidence is what turns it into a strong application: a medical certificate or hospital letter, a death notice, a wedding invitation, a letter from your employer, or court documents.
What Happens If Your Bridging Visa B Is Refused?
1
You lose the fee
The $575 visa application charge is generally not refunded.
2
You cannot travel on your Bridging Visa A
If you leave without a Bridging Visa B, your Bridging Visa A ends, and you may need another visa to come back.
3
Your main application may be affected
For some visas, being outside Australia at the wrong time can affect your substantive application. Check before you go.
4
You can apply again
You can lodge a new application with stronger evidence, as long as you hold a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B when your new Bridging Visa B application is processed. You pay the fee again.
Before You Apply for a Bridging Visa B: Checklist
- Ask yourself if the trip is essential. If your reason is not compelling, think carefully before paying $575.
- Explain your reason clearly and specifically. Say why you need to travel, where, and why now.
- Attach supporting documents. A strong reason without evidence is a weak application.
- Ask for travel dates that match your reason. A short trip for a specific event is easier to justify than an open-ended stay.
- Apply early. Leave enough time for the application to be processed before you need to leave.
- Do not book non-refundable flights until your Bridging Visa B is granted.
- Check the effect on your main application. Some visas require you to be in Australia at certain stages.
Our message to everyone waiting on a visa
The Bridging Visa B is no longer a formality. It is an expensive application, assessed strictly, and it can be refused.
If you need to travel, treat it like any other visa application: build a strong, honest case with real evidence, and get advice before you pay. It costs far less than a refused application and a missed trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bridging Visa B
How much does a Bridging Visa B cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the Bridging Visa B costs $575. Holders of a passport from a Pacific country or Timor-Leste pay $195. Before 1 July 2026 the fee was $190.
Can a Bridging Visa B be refused?
Yes. You must show substantial reasons for wishing to leave and re-enter Australia. If the Department is not satisfied, the visa can be refused.
Is the Bridging Visa B fee refunded if my application is refused?
In general, no. The visa application charge is refunded only in limited circumstances set out in the Migration Regulations, and a refusal does not usually qualify.
Is a holiday a substantial reason to travel?
On its own, a holiday is usually a weak reason. Reasons linked to a specific, important event or need, supported by documents, carry much more weight.
Can I leave Australia on a Bridging Visa A?
You can, but your Bridging Visa A ends when you leave, and it does not let you come back. You will need a visa to return, and leaving can affect some pending applications.
Can I apply again if my Bridging Visa B is refused?
Yes. Yes, as long as you hold a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B when your new Bridging Visa B application is processed. You can lodge a new application with a stronger reason or better evidence, but you will need to pay the fee again.
Planning to travel while your visa is pending?
Giro Migration can assess whether your reason is strong enough, prepare a well-documented Bridging Visa B application and check how travelling could affect your main visa application, before you pay the fee.
This article is general information about Australian migration law as at the date above. It is not legal advice. Check your own situation with a Registered Migration Agent before you apply.