Bridging visa E for protection visa applicants: subclass 051 or subclass 050
A protection visa applicant's Bridging visa E is subclass 051 within regulation 2.20(7) to (11) of the Migration Regulations 1994, otherwise subclass 050, under ordinary grant criteria. Check your grant notice first, then compare your circumstances with regulation 2.20(7)–(11) of the Migration Regulations 1994. Subclass 051 has five prescribed classes under clause 051.211 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Other protection visa applicants follow different bridging-visa criteria under Parts 010, 030 and 050 of those Regulations.
Home Affairs’ subclass 051 page lists detention, but regulation 2.24(2) needs separate checking before treating detention as a universal requirement. An Australian migration lawyer can check your entry history, prescribed class and supporting evidence before lodgement. This guide’s enquiry form is a disabled preview and cannot send details yet. See why the form is unavailable. The preview is not a visa application or deadline calculator.
Subclass 051 or subclass 050?
| Your situation | Bridging visa E subclass |
|---|---|
| Under 18, with the required State or Territory child-welfare certificate and care arrangements under regulation 2.20(7). | Subclass 051, if the remaining ordinary criteria are met. |
| Aged 75 or older, with community support arrangements under regulation 2.20(8). | Subclass 051, if the remaining ordinary criteria are met. |
| A qualifying special health or torture/trauma need certified by a Home Affairs-appointed medical specialist under regulation 2.20(9). | Subclass 051, if the remaining ordinary criteria are met. |
| A nominated spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, with a genuine and continuing relationship under regulation 2.20(10). | Subclass 051, if the remaining ordinary criteria are met. |
| A member of the family unit of a regulation 2.20(10) person, under regulation 2.20(11). | Subclass 051, if the remaining ordinary criteria are met. |
| A protection visa applicant on a BVE outside those five prescribed classes. | Subclass 050 under the ordinary criteria, subject to the other eligibility rules. |
These categories come from the Migration Regulations 1994 and describe ordinary eligibility criteria—not confirmation that you have been granted a visa. Under clauses 050.211–050.212 of those Regulations, subclass 050 still requires the current-status test, an applicable eligibility situation and compliance with exclusion rules; being outside the five subclass 051 classes is not enough.
Detention and legal scope: Home Affairs’ subclass 051 page, updated 27 March 2026, lists being in immigration detention. The primary sources checked for this guide do not settle detention as a universal legal requirement. Regulation 2.24(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994 expressly allocates subclass 051 for detention applications by regulation 2.20(7)–(11) people; the regulation, not the page summary alone, governs. Exceptional personal grants under section 195A of the Migration Act 1958 require separate consideration.
At a glance
- Visa class → Bridging E, Class WE, under Schedule 1 item 1305 of the Migration Regulations 1994.
- Ordinary subclass 051 classes → Regulation 2.20(7)–(11), subject to the remaining criteria under the Migration Regulations 1994.
- Required location → In Australia, not in immigration clearance, at application and grant under Schedule 1 item 1305(3)(b) and clause 051.411 of the Migration Regulations 1994.
- First document to check → Visa grant notice; Home Affairs’ subclass 050 page says specific conditions also appear in VEVO, Visa Entitlement Verification Online.
The legislative values above use the Migration Regulations 1994 basis of 1 July 2026, checked against the primary-source research on 3 October 2026.
Information checked against supplied primary sources on 3 October 2026. The Migration Regulations 1994 basis is Compilation 288, operative from 1 July to 1 October 2026. The checked Student Visa Reform amendment commencing 2 October 2026 did not amend Part 050, Part 051, Class WE or the BVE condition lists.
Bridging Visa E Guide is an information publisher, not a government site or law practice.
Who gets subclass 051?
For ordinary grants, subclass 051 is for people meeting one of the five prescribed classes and the shared requirements under regulation 2.20(7)–(11) and clause 051.211 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Those provisions require refusal of immigration clearance, or bypassing clearance and coming to notice as unlawful within 45 days of entry; a protection visa application not finally determined or protection judicial review still on foot; and membership of one of the five classes below.
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Firstly, applicants under 18. Regulation 2.20(7) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires the State or Territory child-welfare certificate and care arrangements.
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Secondly, applicants aged 75 or older. Regulation 2.20(8) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires community support arrangements.
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Thirdly, applicants with qualifying health or torture/trauma needs. Regulation 2.20(9) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires certification by a Home Affairs-appointed medical specialist, including that the person cannot be properly cared for in detention.
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Fourthly, nominated spouses or de facto partners. Regulation 2.20(10) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires nomination by an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner, and a genuine and continuing relationship.
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Fifthly, qualifying family-unit members. Regulation 2.20(11) of the Migration Regulations 1994 covers a member of the family unit of a regulation 2.20(10) person—not every relative of any protection visa applicant.
These categories use the Migration Regulations 1994 basis of 1 July 2026, checked on 3 October 2026.
Which bridging visa do other protection visa applicants hold?
Other protection visa applicants do not all hold subclass 051. Under Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 Parts 010, 030 and 050 of the Migration Regulations 1994, their application and visa history determines whether the relevant ordinary criteria are for BVA, BVC or subclass 050 BVE.
| Your application and visa history | Bridging visa to check | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| You made a valid onshore substantive visa application while holding a substantive visa. | Bridging visa A, subclass 010. | Check the BVA criteria and whether it has come into effect; lodgement is not an automatic grant. |
| You made a valid onshore substantive visa application without a substantive visa and have not held a disqualifying BVE since last holding one. | Bridging visa C, subclass 030. | Immigration-clearance and detention restrictions also apply; the regulation 2.24A BVE exception must not be erased. |
| You hold a BVE, or are otherwise within subclass 050’s application criteria, and are outside the subclass 051 prescribed classes. | Bridging visa E, subclass 050. | The current-status test, an applicable clause 050.212 situation and the exclusion rules still need checking. |
The table summarises Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 Parts 010, 030 and 050 of the Migration Regulations 1994, using the legislative basis of 1 July 2026. The corresponding Home Affairs BVA page is dated 23 September 2024, and the Home Affairs BVC page is dated 20 June 2025.
A substantive visa is not a bridging visa under the Migration Act 1958. Under clauses 010.511, 010.513 and 010.514 of the Migration Regulations 1994, a granted BVA comes into effect when the substantive visa ceases if that visa remains in effect.
For BVC, Schedule 1 item 1303 of the Migration Regulations 1994 distinguishes applicants who did not hold a substantive visa when applying and have not held a BVE since last holding a substantive visa, except a BVE under regulation 2.24A.
What else does subclass 051 require?
The additional ordinary subclass 051 requirements under clauses 051.212–051.213 of the Migration Regulations 1994 include a signed departure/removal undertaking and the specified public-interest and health criteria.
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Firstly, the signed undertaking. Under clause 051.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994, the applicant must sign an undertaking to depart or present for removal within 28 days after withdrawal, final refusal or an unsuccessful judicial-review outcome, as applicable.
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Secondly, the public-interest and health criteria. Clause 051.213 of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires public interest criteria 4001, 4002 and 4003, plus the health criteria in clauses 866.223–866.224B.
Departure timing: The 28-day undertaking in clause 051.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994 is not a substitute for checking the visa’s separate cessation rules.
These requirements use the Migration Regulations 1994 basis of 1 July 2026, checked on 3 October 2026.
Is subclass 051 still available?
Yes. Part 051 of the Migration Regulations 1994 remains in force, and Home Affairs’ subclass 051 page describes its use in limited situations.
Does a protection visa application automatically grant a BVE?
No. Home Affairs’ subclass 050 page says some valid substantive applications also include a BVE application, not an immediate BVE grant.
Where must I be when applying for subclass 051?
Under Schedule 1 item 1305(3)(b) and clause 051.411 of the Migration Regulations 1994, you must be in Australia and not in immigration clearance at application and grant.
Can a protection visa applicant on a BVE work?
Yes, only if your visa conditions permit it; condition 8101 (no work) prohibits work under Schedule 8 to the Migration Regulations 1994—check work rights on a BVE.
How long does subclass 051 last?
Subclass 051 generally ends 35 days after refusal or 28 days after judicial review ends under clauses 051.511–051.512 of the Migration Regulations 1994; confirm your Bridging visa E end date.
Medicare and support for protection visa applicants
- Medicare. Medicare bridging visa rules.
- Legal support and general BVE information. free legal help for Bridging visa E holders; the Bridging visa E (subclass 050).
Before lodgement, an Australian migration lawyer can check your prescribed class, signed undertaking and supporting evidence against regulation 2.20(7)–(11) and clauses 051.212–051.213 of the Migration Regulations 1994.