Bridging Visa

Bridging visas are used to provide lawful status to 'non-citizens' who otherwise would be unlawful, in the following situations:

• during the processing of an application, made in Australia, for a substantive visa including merits review of a decision to refuse such an application;

• while arrangements are made to depart Australia;

• at other times when the 'non-citizen' does not have a visa (for example, when seeking judicial review) and it is not necessary for the person to be kept in detention.