Emma, expect around 1-2 months between the interview and the simride.
Simride depends on the aircraft u'll be flying. Simcheck held in London Heathrow for the Airbus, ATR in Bangkok most problably.
Keep in mind, expect no upgrading for expat pilots. That's why a whole bunch (35-50 expats) A340 FO's and also A319 Captains ( no upgrading to command 340 )left the company flying now for Emirates and Etihad. The only transitions between aircrafts is from A319 FO to A340 FO for expats. However Mauritian pilots were able to transition from FO ATR to FO 340 or 319. Also for the commands. This is how it works.
Even for an expat captain ATR, very difficult to transition on the airbus fleet and when he gets the opportunity he will begin as FO 319 or A340.
If u apply A340, get promised 340 u can get 319 to start with !! ATR stays ATR. That's what I heard.