)Onshore:
Pro:
- You get to be onshore while the visa is being processed.
Cons:
- Long processing times.
- If arriving on tourist visa/ETA he can't work until the current period of stay expires and the Bridging Visa A kicks in.
- Can be more difficult to find employment on a bridging visa in spite of BVA having full employment rights.
- DIBP have a proposal in the works to change the sponsorship process so that the sponsor would have to be approved before a partner visa application can be lodged (currently they are lodged concurrently, or rather sponsor lodges their application immediately after the visa application has been submitted and paid for). We have no way of knowing how long DIBP would take to approve a sponsor. If it takes longer than 2-2.5 months you can see that prospective visa applicants who are on a 3 month tourist visa or ETA will be in a bind and would have to go offshore. This is specifically designed to reduce onshore partner visa applications. This proposal was talked about earlier this year, but was deferred to next year. This may affect you if you are planning on moving to Aus later rather than sooner.
Offshore:
Pros:
- Shorter processing times.
- Your husband will be eligible for PR since your relationship is longer than 3 years (submit evidence of length of your relationship), hence once granted he would be a permanent resident on entry and in theory should be able to find employment more easily.
- less uncertainty.
Cons:
- He has to be offshore for visa grant. You can apply for a ETA/visit visa for him if you want to come to Australia sooner, however he would not be eligible to work on ETA/visit visa and he would not be eligible for bridging visa.
You didn't mention his age - does he qualify for Work and Holiday visa? Could be a good option if you intend to apply onshore. Keep in mind he would have to abide by conditions of whatever visa he enters on, until said visa expires and the BVA kicks in.
Pro:
- You get to be onshore while the visa is being processed.
Cons:
- Long processing times.
- If arriving on tourist visa/ETA he can't work until the current period of stay expires and the Bridging Visa A kicks in.
- Can be more difficult to find employment on a bridging visa in spite of BVA having full employment rights.
- DIBP have a proposal in the works to change the sponsorship process so that the sponsor would have to be approved before a partner visa application can be lodged (currently they are lodged concurrently, or rather sponsor lodges their application immediately after the visa application has been submitted and paid for). We have no way of knowing how long DIBP would take to approve a sponsor. If it takes longer than 2-2.5 months you can see that prospective visa applicants who are on a 3 month tourist visa or ETA will be in a bind and would have to go offshore. This is specifically designed to reduce onshore partner visa applications. This proposal was talked about earlier this year, but was deferred to next year. This may affect you if you are planning on moving to Aus later rather than sooner.
Offshore:
Pros:
- Shorter processing times.
- Your husband will be eligible for PR since your relationship is longer than 3 years (submit evidence of length of your relationship), hence once granted he would be a permanent resident on entry and in theory should be able to find employment more easily.
- less uncertainty.
Cons:
- He has to be offshore for visa grant. You can apply for a ETA/visit visa for him if you want to come to Australia sooner, however he would not be eligible to work on ETA/visit visa and he would not be eligible for bridging visa.
You didn't mention his age - does he qualify for Work and Holiday visa? Could be a good option if you intend to apply onshore. Keep in mind he would have to abide by conditions of whatever visa he enters on, until said visa expires and the BVA kicks in.
