Travel limitations for BVB holder for sc. 485

[h_flats]

I am a newly registered migration agent. I have a client who is currently holding a sc.573 visa which will expire on 15 March 2009. She is hoping to lodge her Skilled- Graduate visa – sc.485 application first week of March (before her current Student visa expires). She plans to go home to the Philippines come 5th Dec – 2nd March.

She also wants to travel back in the Philippines in May for her brother's wedding and July to London for another big family event but I am not sure how she can.

Bridging visa B holders for sc.485 application can not travel unless the reason is either:
- a close relative overseas is seriously ill or has recently died;
or
-her Australian employer needs her to travel overseas in the course of her employment (she is unemployed).

Can anyone please tell me if there are other visas she can apply for so she can travel on those occasions, or at least the wedding in May?
Do you think DIAC will consider ‘wedding of a sibling’ as a valid reason for her to travel on a BVB, if I explain the circumstances?

Thank you. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Hazel Flatters
MARN: 0958545

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Hi Hazel

I presume you meant to say the student visa will expire on 15 March 2010?

In my experience DIAC are usually pretty good at granting students bridging B visas in order to attend weddings of a relatives or other such family gatherings.

Cheers
Sheelagh

[h_flats]

Hi Sheelagh

Thanks for your reply.

I'm sorry I meant her student visa will expire 15 March 2010.

Sorry, I have to clarify this...

In my experience DIAC are usually pretty good at granting students bridging B visas in order to attend weddings of a relatives or other such family gatherings.


My client will no longer be a student when she apply for her bridging visa B. She would have applied for a Skilled Graduate Visa by then. Do you still think DIAC will grant her a BVB?

I'm a bit reluctant to advice her to apply for the Skilled Graduate visa if she will not be able to travel. It is very important to her and her family that she be there in her brother's wedding.

Because she must be able to travel in May. My other option for her is get her to apply for another student visa and and complete a Masters degree to get the points she needs for Skilled Independent visa, instead of getting work experience with a Skilled Graduate visa.

With a Student visa she will be able to have multiple entry as long as her absenses are within the limits of her visa condition.

Any thoughts about this?

Thank you again.

Regards,
Hazel