PhD Student, What Options Does My Wife Have After the New Subsequent Entrant Rules?
Hello, I’m a PhD student and I’m hoping you might be able to shed some light on my situation, as I’m honestly quite confused and worried about how the new rules affect me.
I was granted my student visa last year, and I still have around two and half years left to complete my PhD. When I originally applied for my visa, I declared my wife as my spouse/dependent, so she was disclosed in my application from the beginning. However, with the new changes and the apparent elimination of subsequent entrant applications, I’m now unsure what options are available for her to join me.
I would really appreciate any advice you may have on what the safest and most realistic pathway would be. In particular, would it be possible for me to go offshore and have my wife apply for a visa using the same CoE that I’m currently studying under, or would that be considered too risky given the recent changes?
I’m also not sure how applying for another visa works while I still hold a valid student visa. Would applying for a new visa affect or cancel my current visa in any way, or can I apply while remaining on my existing visa?
Another option I was wondering about is whether my wife could potentially come to Australia on a visitor visa (or another temporary visa) and stay with me for a period of time while I finish my PhD. Is that something that could realistically work, and are there any concerns or limitations we should be aware of with that approach?
I’m mainly trying to understand what options we have before making any decisions that could affect my current visa or my PhD.
Thank you.