[DougAlba]

Hi, my wife and I are looking to migrate to Brisbane next year. She and both of our children are Australian citizens. I’m not really sure what visa I should be applying for.

I see the offshore partner visa can take 13 months, which will mean we can’t move over until 2020, which isn’t ideal. Ideally I want to apply for the onshore visa, but my only question is how do I get onshore in the first place in order to apply! I need to be working pretty much as soon as we arrive so whatever visa I start out with will need to allow me to work.

Is this possible or do we just need to wait the 13 months? I work in IT and qualify for skilled workers migration but that costs $3000 and I’m not sure if I’d still then have to pay the $7000 to get the onshore when I get over.

Any help is massively appreciated as this is more complicated than it was to get my wife’s uk citizenship, which at the time felt like a nightmare!

 

[ampk]

The Skilled path is certainly cheaper.

You will be able to get a visa to get onshore but no work for 3 months might be the ETA or Evisitor.

You don't yet know what a nightmare is!

 

[DougAlba]

Hmm, interesring. Maybe I should just go for skilled migrant then. If I went for the evisitor or whatever, I could apply for onshore then? I’d be issued with a bridging visa or something while I wait for the perm visa?

Thanks for your reply!

 

[ampk]

Yes the electronic version for UK passport holders, apply for the 820 and get a Bridging Visa A granted - that kicks in after 3 months.

Yes on the Bridging Visa till 820 is decided - need to get a Bridging Visa B if you want to travel during the wait.

 

[wrussell]

The first criterion is to adopt a visa strategy that has the best prospects of success.
Then, for most people, come minimising costs and periods of family separation.

For the skilled independent or state/territory pathway there is no assurance of a qualified applicant ever receiving an invitation to apply for a visa and for 'employer sponsored' the overall costs would be greater than the cost of a partner application.

It might pay you to consult one of the registered migration agents who posts on this forum (they are all ok) for advice about developing a visa strategy.

BTW The cost of a skilled visa when the VAC and ancillary costs are included would be considerably more than $3000.

 

[CCMS]

It is complicated.

As Westley said, get some professional advice, work out the different scenarios, costs and requirements and then make an informed decision.

The options may seem overwhelming at first, but once you narrow it down to what is actually possible, it will become much easier to develop a realistic strategy.

 

[ampk]

(they are all ok)

Understatement!

 

[Eh?]

Understatement!

Agreed! The fact that so many take time from their days and their job to come here and provide advice has been an invaluable resource for a lot of people, myself included.

No disrespect to the other fine RMA's who are around these parts but the two who have given you advice are in my opinion two of the best RMA's we have here.

Good luck!

 

[LadyRogueRayne]

Totally agree with the other statements that your first step should be a consultation with a RMA. The whole visa process is a murky one and RMAs know the ins and outs of it all.

If you go for a skilled visa, then you could possibly get PR through that. So no, you wouldn't have to pay the $3k+ for the PR skilled visa (such as the 189), then turn around and pay the $7k+ for the partner visa. However, with both choices, if you want to apply onshore, you will have to wait out the 3 months on the ETA visa before a bridging visa kicks in...meaning you wouldn't be able to work for those first 3 months.

Definitely talk with a RMA to go over your possibilities. It's worth it in the long run.

 

[DougAlba]

Wow thanks for all the advice everyone, invaluable. How do I go about seeking consultation from an rma?

 

[ampk]

Wow thanks for all the advice everyone, invaluable. How do I go about seeking consultation from an rma?

There is a sticky called Registered Migration Agents

They are all good.

 

[DougAlba]

Great thank you