daneel

Hello,

In a couple of months I will start a PhD program in Adelaide, Australia. My question is whether I can still lodge an STNI application as soon as I arrive in South Australia or do I have to lodge it before departure. I do not wish to wait for 3 years to graduate and then apply for the Onshore Student visa. I believe I am already eligible to apply for an STNI visa in South Australia in terms of qualification, recent work experience, and occupation in demand in SA. I also cannot postpone my departure.
My question to more experienced participants in the forum thus is:

Can I still apply for an STNI visa (subclass 137) while in Australia on a Student visa?

I understand this is an offshore visa. Does this mean that I will have to live outside Australia all the time, or simply that, if successful, I will have to receive the visa outside Australia (e.g. leave for 1 month and ask to get the visa in my home country). I am unclear what the designation 'offshore' means for applicants. If already living in Australia, is it your choice whether or not you wish to take advantage of the on-shore options restricted to those already in Australia, or are you only allowed to apply to one of the 3 on-shore visas? If the latter is true, then what happens to dependent spouses?

Thank you very much,
Dan

spalen

i believe you have to be outside australia when you apply - ie the day they receive it

and - on the day they grant it. - so a quick flight + few days in New Zealand suffices.

JAJ

For STNI that is *usually* incorrect. Normally you can lodge offshore applications while in Australia provided you don't have a no further stay condition or an application bar.

This question would be better asked on the immigration forum.


Jeremy

daneel

Thank you very much for clarifications,
Dan