Kingseat

If you don't get your 900 hours on your course, I am aware that you can apply for an 18 month bridging visa. Do you apply for your PR visa at the sametime as your bridging visa or can you only apply for that at the end of the 18 months or once you have gained your 900 hours? Can't seem to find an answer. Thanks.

mandyp

Hiya,

You need to have done your 900 hours by the end of your course in order to apply for the TRA. Once you have a positive TRA assessment you can apply for your next visa. If you have enough points i.e. 120 for independent PR or 100 for family or state sponsored PR, then you directly apply for these visas and automatically go onto a bridging visa whilst you wait for approval of one of these visas.

If you do not have enough points then you would apply for the graduates visa which is the 18 month visa that you are talking about. Again, you still have to have a positive TRA before applying for this. This visa allows you up to 18 months to get your 12 months work experience in order to get extra points towards applying for your PR visa.

hope this explains things
cheers
Mandy

pumpkin blossom

Yep, the 18 month visa is for people who already have their 900 hours, but then just need the extra points they can get from working for a year or doing the English test.
We had an immigration person come in to talk to us about visas and when we asked what happens if you don't have the 900 hours in time we really didn't get a very good answer. It was pretty much go home unless you can find a company to sponsor you.