Sydney's Trusted Immigration Lawyers

Yes. If you lodge a valid application for a substantive visa while you are lawfully in Australia, you will generally be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which lets you remain in the country lawfully while your application is decided. The BVA usually comes into effect when your current visa expires, and its conditions — such as work or study rights — depend on the visa you applied for. If you need to travel overseas during processing you may need a Bridging Visa B before you leave. Timing is critical: applying before your current visa expires protects your status, while letting it lapse can leave you unlawful and limit your options. We track these deadlines for our clients and advise on bridging arrangements in English and Dari.

If your visa is refused you often have a right to seek a merits review — most commonly at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in October 2024 — and strict deadlines apply, sometimes as little as 21 days from notification. The tribunal looks at your case afresh and can overturn the original decision, but missing the deadline usually ends your review rights permanently. Depending on the refusal, options may include tribunal review, addressing the specific grounds in a fresh application, or in limited cases judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Acting quickly is essential. Contact us the moment you receive a refusal so we can confirm your deadline, obtain the decision record, and advise the strongest path forward — in English or Dari.