Bilal Ahmed

oh crap .. that would be a HUGE problem .. but is this 16 year queue going to go up or down? .. I mean is it possible that, next year, they decide they'll grant more visas? .. or lesser visas? I'm thinking if it's 16 years, the risk is worth it .. I'm 38 .. and don't want to put my career on hold ..

thank you so much, for your reply .. I've already spent enough money on a lawyers and visa fees and am not in a huge hurry to move to Australia (yet) .. so getting a BVB, going overseas and letting it expire seems to be the popular opinion .. when it's time to come back for the visa grant, I can apply for a visitor visa .. I'll also see what my lawyer has to say .. during "the 16 years" .. would it be easy to get visitor visas to visit family?

that sounds like a reasonable solution .. thank you so much for your replies .. are you sure my 835 application won't be canceled or refused? .. I'm referring to their website .. -- The Remaining Relative visa (subclass 835) is a permanent visa for people who want to live in Australia to be with their only near relatives. Your application must be made in Australia and you must be in Australia at that time. You must be in Australia when the visa is granted. -- now that only problem would be is that I would have to come back to Australia when the decision is made .. would they grant me a BVB or a visit visa? ..

that wouldn't be illegal or won't cancel my 835 application? .. if I leave the country on a BVB and not come back? .. or just leave on the BVA? .. I can be in Australia when the BVA is granted .. I think they've already issued it .. it just goes into effect when my 457 expires .. which is around April next year .. I need to be there when the 457 expires and I'm issued a bridging visa .. that's fine I can totally do that .. if I leave the country on a BVA, I can't come back .. it also says I have to be in Australia when the visa is granted .. 16 years later! .. how would I come back for that? .. a visit visa? .. so you're saying leave on the BVA or BVB and wait abroad till my application goes through .. I'm wondering if I leave on a BVA or BVB .. isn't that unlawful? .. and would that affect my eventual 835 application?

it's not that simple .. see, I have to be present IN Australia when the bridging visa is issues .. BVA has travel restrictions .. I have to remain in Australia .. anytime I want to travel, I have to apply for a BVB which is usually 3 to 6 months .. and then I have to come back to Australia .. here's an excerpt from the govt's website: -- The Remaining Relative visa (subclass 835) is a permanent visa for people who want to live in Australia to be with their only near relatives. Your application must be made in Australia and you must be in Australia at that time. You must be in Australia when the visa is granted. --

yes, that's what I want to do .. (i.e. take the job offer) .. after my 457, I get a bridging visa A .. which means no travel .. right now I've applied for a 835 .. which is an ONSHORE remaining relative visa .. and I'm wondering if there's a way to change it to a 115 which is an OFFSHORE remaining relative visa .. I don't know if visas can be changed .. that's why I was asking here .. I might have to withdraw the 835 .. and file a new 115 .. which is not exactly cheap to do .. so confused ..

is it possible to change a 835 (onshore) application to an 115 (offshore) one?

let me explain my situation a little more clearly .. I am currently on a 457 visa .. and have applied for the "remaining relative" visa .. next year, my 457 expires and I'll get a BVA .. now the queue for the remaining relative stream is 16 years .. and there's a condition on the BVA that I work for the same employer .. I can't work for the same employer for 16 years .. I am getting amazing job offers from outside Australia .. but for the 835 you have to be onshore when its granted, otherwise it's rejected .. now I've read you can't convert a 835 (onshore) to a 115 (onshore visa) .. does this mean I'll have to withdraw my 835 application and apply for the 115? if anyone can offer some assistance, I'd really appreciate it ..