Matched to31+ lenders
95% LVRavailable
Yes, in most cases and it depends on two things: which substantive visa you’re waiting on, and whether you’re buying with an Australian partner.
If you’re on a Bridging Visa A (BVA) or Bridging Visa B (BVB) and buying with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner, you’re generally in the strongest position for a bridging visa mortgage.
Certain lenders on our panel accept bridging visa home loan applications, particularly when:
A single bank only checks its own policy. Because visa lending rules vary widely, the difference between an approval and a decline is usually how your deal is structured and which lender sees it first. We compare 31+ lenders to find where your application has the strongest chance.
Australia has five bridging visa subclasses, and each one carries different rules for home loan eligibility.
Subclass 010
LendableThe most common bridging visa. It’s granted when you lodge a new substantive visa application while your current visa is still valid, allowing you to live and work in Australia while your new visa is processed.
Subclass 020
LendableSimilar to a BVA but with travel rights, so you can leave and re-enter Australia while your substantive visa application is processed.
Bridging Visa C (BVC, subclass 030), Bridging Visa D (BVD, 040/041), and Bridging Visa E (BVE, 050/051) are issued when you are unlawful, in short-term transition, or arranging to leave Australia. These visa subclasses are not acceptable to Australian lenders.
This is the scenario we see most often:
You’re in a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You’ve lodged your onshore partner visa application (subclass 820), and you’re on a BVA or BVB while the Department of Home Affairs processes your case.
You don’t have to pause your plans during that wait. Several lenders assess bridging visa holders favourably because you’re on a clear pathway to permanent residency.
Key factors that shape your loan approval:
MAP Home Loans are a great team and really easy to deal with. My broker knew all the ins and outs of the rules regarding purchasing a property when on a temporary visa. I am from the UK and on a bridging visa as applying for a spouse / partner visa. He did the homework, gave us some great advice and we found the right home loan at the right price.
If you’re buying a home jointly with your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you’re usually exempt from FIRB approval and its fees.
Under this joint-tenancy exemption, the current ban on foreign persons buying established dwellings does not apply. All of the following conditions must be met:
When all of these conditions are met, you can buy a new or established home without FIRB approval, application fees, or waiting periods.
Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) is the percentage of the property’s value a lender will finance. It varies by bridging visa subclass, the substantive visa you’ve applied for, and whether you’re buying jointly with an Australian partner.
| Your situation | Typical LVR | Property type |
|---|---|---|
| BVA/BVB + Australian citizen/PR partnerBuying jointly as joint tenants | Up to 95% | New or established (FIRB exemption usually applies) |
| BVA/BVB solo, strong applicationStable employment, good credit, linked to partner or skilled visa | Up to 80% | New dwellings only (FIRB approval and surcharge apply) |
| BVC, BVD, BVE | Not acceptable to lenders | Resolve visa status first |
LVR ranges reflect lender policies across our 31+ panel. Your borrowing limit depends on your income, deposit, credit history, and substantive visa application. We confirm your position in a Free Lending Assessment.
For BVA and BVB holders
Held for at least 3 months
What you provide
A signed gift letter confirming no repayment is required
What you provide
Clear documentation of the source
Lenders assess bridging visa holders on the same fundamentals as any borrower: income, living expenses, existing debts, and credit history. Your visa adds a policy layer, which makes choosing the right lender essential.
If this is your first home, buying with your Australian citizen or permanent resident partner can open state first home buyer help.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) treats your partner as an eligible applicant in most states, typically on a newly built home. Grant amounts and rules vary by state.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (which waives Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)) is stricter. Because every borrower on the loan must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a joint application that includes a bridging visa holder won’t qualify.
We check which state grants, stamp duty concessions, and surcharge exemptions apply to your purchase before you apply.
Step 1: Free Lending Assessment
Ends with a clear GO or NOT YET.
You pay us no fee, because the lender pays our commission when your loan settles.
Book a Free Lending AssessmentAfter your assessment
Match
We apply our VSL Matrix™ (Visa × Situation × Lender) to compare your visas and situation against 31+ lenders
Apply
Lodge with the lender most likely to approve you
Pre-approval in as little as 7 days
Purchase
Make offers and buy from a verified finance position
Settlement
Your loan settles and the home is yours
I then came across MAP Home Loans and have to say that from the very beginning, my broker has been extremely helpful and is always willing to answer any questions. More importantly, he got us a mortgage!
Yes. Several mainstream and specialist lenders on our 31+ panel accept home loan applications from Bridging Visa A (BVA) and Bridging Visa B (BVB) holders. While some banks decline bridging visas under standard policy, a specialist visa mortgage broker can match your visa and situation to the lenders most likely to approve you at a competitive rate.
BVA (subclass 010) and BVB (subclass 020) holders with work rights have the strongest mortgage options, particularly with a pending partner visa (subclass 820/801) or skilled visa application. BVC (subclass 030), BVD (040/041), and BVE (050/051) are not acceptable to Australian lenders.
Up to 95% LVR with an Australian partner, or up to 80% solo. Buying jointly as joint tenants with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner can reach up to 95% LVR (a 5% deposit) on a new or established home under the FIRB spouse exemption. Solo BVA or BVB applications typically reach up to 80% LVR (a 20% deposit), with FIRB approval and fees applying and purchases limited to new dwellings. Your actual LVR depends on the lender, your income, your deposit, and your substantive visa application.
Usually not when buying with an Australian partner. If you buy a home as joint tenants with your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen (subclass 444) spouse or de facto partner, you’re usually exempt from FIRB approval and its fees. If you buy alone, or don’t meet the joint-tenancy conditions, you’ll need FIRB approval.
Yes. If you’ve lodged an onshore partner visa application (typically subclass 820) and hold a BVA or BVB with work rights, several lenders will consider your application now. You don’t need to wait for your partner visa grant before buying a house together.
Book a 15 to 30 minute chat for a clear GO or NOT YET and fast approval at a competitive rate, even without a 20% deposit.
You pay MAP Home Loans no fee. The lender pays us a commission when your loan settles.
You leave the call with one of two answers
GOA viable pathway, and we explain the next step.
NOT YETWe say what needs to change before you apply.
Written & reviewed byCraig Vaughan, Director & Mortgage Broker
MFAA 47419Credit Representative 376082Last reviewed
Authorised under LMG (ACL 517192). AFCA member 121620.
