Working on bridging visa
 

Hey all!

New to forum. Moving to Australia in about 12 weeks. Very excited. Will initially be on tourist visa then bridging visa pending decision on partner visa.

I know I’m allowed to work whilst on bridging visa. I guess I just want some reassurance that people actually will hire those on bridging visas and aren’t put off by them (I understand may take 2+ years to get partner visa)

I’m a lawyer if that is relevant looking for legal work!

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Hi. I'd strongly recommend that you repost your question on our Australia Immigration and Visas forum for some further advice regarding your plan to settle in Australia using a tourist visa/bridging visa/partner visa route Immigration, Visas & Citizenship (Australia) - British Expats

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

I’ve moved it for the OP.

:)

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

If you are in the UK visa grants are very quick at the moment. I would seriously consider applying offshore ASAP, recent timelines have been less than 12 weeks, more like 6.

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Agreed. Apply now, get your medicals and police certificates done ASAP and you'll likely have it before your current travel date. Doing two years on a bridging visa is not a good idea.

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

BiP, the OP has also identified in her post on the Welcome Inn that she is married to an Australian and has a 7 month old baby. Would bub need to get his/her Australian passport before arrival into Oz?

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

It would be advisable. If the child has already been registered as an Australian citizen by descent then they will need their Australian passport.

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Thanks BiP :thumbup:

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Firstly, why not apply for the Partner visa offshore - assuming you are in the UK the processing time is currently around 2-3 months for a 309/100, as opposed to onshore 2-3 YEARS.

Secondly, yes it is tricky to get permanent work on a bridging visa as many employers are reluctant to hire someone who may be given orders to leave the country at any moment. They often don't wish to take on someone who has no permanent permission to stay, and not even a substantive temporary visa. Bridging visas are also very limiting for stuff like travel - you will need to apply for a new Bridging Visa B every time you wish to leave the country for instance.

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

If you want to work as a lawyer, you will need to gain registration. The state legal body for which state you are moving to will advise on this, but be prepared to have to undertake a number of (expensive) university modules.

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Thank you all very helpful

Re applying onshore we were told it could also be up to two years. We are in a tiny flat no lift 3 floors up with a baby and have to move as it’s not suitable. We considered relocating in uk whilst waiting but will be wasting thousands in rent.

We spoke to an immigration lawyer who suggested applying onshore.

Re working as a lawyer my qualifications are with the board now and a recruiter has suggested I can work as a special counsel or paralegal in the meantime for law firms or other related work.

It’s concerning that people may be put off by a bridging visa ..... thanks for your replies

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Hi we were told by immigration lawyer just to get this in Australia too because of the length of time it’s taking here ....

We’d have to get him citizenship then the passport

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Thanks

We’ve been told differently. Do you have direct knowledge of this as we were told more like 18 months to two years here too!

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Thank you!

Re: Working on bridging visa
 

Then you have been told wrong and it would be a concern a registered migration agent would say that - I am assuming your agent is a fully registered migration agent?

At the moment off shore applications are taking about three months.