The shortage of medical professionals in Australia has assisted those applicants who have studied in Australia to extend their stay.
Often, doctors and nurses need to extend their stay in Australia to do further study to be eligible for registration or need to stay to complete registration examinations. In these circumstances, the Immigration Department has endorsed granting a 3 month stay Visitor Visa under the Tourist stream to ensure that the applicant does not have to leave Australia. This is also the case if an applicant has submitted their application for registration, but the application is still being processed after their visa is due to expire.
If you are a nurse or doctor overseas and want to come to Australia but are required to do a bridging course to be registered in Australia, it is still more appropriate to apply for the business visitor stream.
If you are a medical professional who is currently waiting for registration, speak to our experienced migration lawyers on (07) 3229 4025 to ensure that you will be able to lodge an application or expression of interest as soon as your registration comes through.