[sophieg]

My partner and I are on a Regional Sponsorship (489) visa which expires 20th October 2020. We have not yet met the 2 year criteria to apply for the skilled migration pathway so have decided to apply for an Independent Skilled Migration (189) visa. We have recently submitted the EOI and are awaiting an invite. Our questions are as follows:

Whilst we are waiting for an invite, are we able to leave Australia and return to Australia on our current visa - Regional Sponsorship (489)?

Do we require a bridging visa for this?

If we are lucky enough to receive an invite to apply for the Independent Skilled Migration (189) visa and apply for this prior to our holiday, arranged in December 2017, do we automatically receive a bridging visa? Are we allowed to leave and return to Australia on our current visa (489), and if the 189 is granted whilst we are on holiday, is it a simple matter of returning on a Skilled Migration visa (189)?

To summarise, as our current visa has not yet expired, do we require a bridging visa to leave and return back to Australia during the time in which another visa is being processed or can we remain on our current visa and have no worry of seeking a bridging visa?

Thanks for your input

 

[Jeremy Hooper]

Yes you can
No, you don't
Yes you do, but it won't kick in until your 489 expires

 

[sukhmaniimmi]

In Addition

"if the 189 is granted whilst we are on holiday, is it a simple matter of returning on a Skilled Migration visa (189)?"

Answer is Yes and as soon as 189 comes in effect it will supersede your 489.