The case isn't due to be heard until the end of April, surely he will have a visa imminently, to start the season.

Indeed, I am only guessing but I presume a visa can be revoked or reviewed?

A conviction would almost certainly make reapplying more difficult I would have thought!

Perhaps this is part of the reason Bird has an "option" for a further 2 years on his contract. Since if he gets convicted, he won't be able to stay for any longer as he won't be able to get a visa (assuming any given now doesn't get revoked).

Has he recieved a visa yet then? Or is it still in the process of being decided?

If it is going smoothly then we should hear something towards the back end of Feb. Think somebody quoted 25 days to be the expected time for a straight-forward application. Not sure on work permit times scales though. If his paperwork is granted then I expect it'll be sometime in March when we see him playing.

I thought you had to have your work permit before you applied for your visa.

Possibly, wouldn't know to be honest.

There seems to be someone fairly clued up about the visa's on the Hull board and he posted that you needed your work permit first.

not that clued up then, cos its a Tier 2 visa that he needs, not a work permit, well on the right side of the Pennines anyway - I don't know about Yarkshire I admit

5 weeks for a visa / around 6/8 for a work permit aslong as the applications are "staightforward".

The experience of clubs suggests these are sequential so it could be around 11-13 weeks for the process.

However Bird may still have the 'nightclub assault case' coming up in Mid March and then the more serious charges in late April. These make the process far from 'straightforward'. The british consulate will want to see papers from all relevant parties. If the Oz authorities want to take 2/4 weeks to get papers to the Consulate then everything slows down.

At best it could be early April before Bird can get his paperwork. As it is not starightforward it is likely to be after the April case. If guilty the chances are slim to zero. If not guilty he may be over here by mid May to June.

No, as I said it is a Tier 2 visa - no work permit

I take your point. Still wont see him til after April...if at all.

here is bird

birdbrain signed 9 month contract today