Ben

Hello everyone:

I applied for skilled independent PR back in August 2002. Currently
waiting on my FBI fingerprint card, (medicals requested and done), so
I figure I still have about 2 months by the time I get the card, send
it back, wait for clearance, send it to immi and have them approve it.
Ugh. Almost there but what a pain.

However, I'm currently in Australia visiting my ozzie girlfriend on a
tourist visa. I just saw a job posting for an 8 week contract in my
field (Java web programming). Is there anyway that an employer can
employ me for this short amount of time? I looked at the details of
the business short stay visa, but I'm not sure that they could
convince immigration that it would not have "an adverse effect on
employment for Austrailan citizens or permanent residents." The other
option is the long-term business visa (457), but I was hoping that the
company wouldn't have to deal with that (hopefully they won't mind),
as it may deter them from employing me. The job fits under a job
category in the MODL list (Java e-commerce), if that's advantageous at
all.

So my question is, will a short term visa work in this situation? And
additionally, will applying for a business visa affect my PR
application? It looks like I'll have to fly out of the country to get
the business visa, unless there is some way around that. That would
mean a 2nd flight out of the country, since I'll have to fly out when
the PR is approved.

Thanks and good luck to all the other PR applicants out there.
Ben