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Clueless about visas


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Hi, my husband has been offered a job in Perth and his 457 application is currently being processed by his new employer. It also includes me & our 2 kids. I believe there's a backlog but this should be through in a few weeks. Someone mentioned I could possibly go out on a different visa of my own as a skilled occupation in demand. I've looked at the migration.wa.gov website and it also sent me to VETASSESS but I've got to say I haven't got a clue what it all means! It's mentioning 190 and 489 but then I think it's saying you already need to have been offered a job to go out on one of these? Is anyone able to shed any light on this visa-speak please? And anyway, if I'm already presumably getting a 457, can I get a different one anyway & is there any point? (Other than not having to pay school fees).

 

Thank yooooo patient people x

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It depends what you do but if you have the relevant skills the 189 visa is the golden visa. You'll need to have a skill off the CSOL and be able to meet the points criteria. Google immi booklet 6 and have a read. You'll probably have a few more questions after that. I'm sure lots of people on here will help in any way they can.

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Actually, this may be a good way to go.

 

I am nor sure if you are aware, but a 457 has a lot of negatives. The first being it is a temporary visa. So, in theory, you are not emigrating. You are coming for a short fixed period of time to fill a temporary skills shortage. The next issue is that it is tied to the employer. If the primary applicant loses that job for any reason, then you have 90 days to find another company willing and able (not all companies can) able to sponsor or leave the country. Next there is the issue of school fees. Holders of 457 visas have to pay school fees from January. This will be $4k per year for the first child and $2k per year for subsequent children. Lastly, there is a issue with the secondary holders finding work. Although they have full work rights, many companies are reluctant to hire them because they are only here temporary and their destiny is tied to the primary holders visa.

 

For these reasons, I always recommend families who want to emigrate permanently to avoid the 457 and instead look at skilled migration.

 

The two visas you mention are very different. A 190 is a state sponsored permanent visa and would be the better of the two. It is an excellent visa. It does have a obligation of living in WA for 2 years, but this is a moral obligation only.

 

The 489 is a provisional state sponsored visa. (there is a family sponsored stream as well, but I am assuming you are looking at the state). The issue with this is that there is a legal obligation to stay in WA for 2 years in order to convert to PR. You can not live in Perth for that period but must instead live in a regional area and you must work in the regional area for 1 year. So, a much more restrictive visa than a 190. But still better than a 457.

 

If eligible, you could apply as main applicant with your husband and children also listed as secondary.

 

If you are not sure the way forward, then it may be worth have a chat with a good registered migration agent such as Go Matilda.

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It depends what you do but if you have the relevant skills the 189 visa is the golden visa. You'll need to have a skill off the CSOL and be able to meet the points criteria. Google immi booklet 6 and have a read. You'll probably have a few more questions after that. I'm sure lots of people on here will help in any way they can.

 

Thanks for that, I'll google it. Not heard of that visa. It's all very confusing when you're starting out isn't it. :err:

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Thanks a lot verystormy! A minefield for sure. I knew about the school fees so would be great to avoid them, but didn't know about the 90 days & me not being so desirable to employers.

 

I'll look into the 190 now thanks. Couldn't make any sense of what I read yesterday. Do you know if I can go for that even if I've already been issued a 457 though?

 

PS. No sign of Paddington. ...intrigued

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Yes, you can apply while on a 457. Another option would be to look into your husbands company would consider sponsoring him for a permanent visa - 186.

 

If not, then your husband could also look at applying forna permanent visa for you all - either a 189 or 190.

 

Which ever way you go, I recommend as a family you do consider getting yourselves onto a permanent visa. These are uncertain economic times and having the 90 day rule hanging over your heads can be stressful - I know I was on one when the GFC hit.

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I thought it would be quicker to get the 457 visa. Does anyone know how long you have to wait on the 457 before you can apply for PR? We arrive in Sept on my 457 visa. I'm waiting for all the paperwork at the moment.

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You can apply for PR at any time yourself but will need to do the skills assessment. 457 to PR is not a guarantee. Whilst the 457 is quicker, it is temporary as previously said, from next year it attracts school fees. An employer can actually sponsor you at any time also, however, most will say after a certain amount of time (probably to ensure they've got their monies worth out of you), they don't have to sponsor you and sometimes that can change, a friend came over on 457 with the promise of PR and they then froze all sponsorship in the organisation - so she ended up doing it herself. I think (not 100%) if you have worked for the employer for 2 years, you don't have to do the skills assessment for the PR application.

 

The 457 does tie you to an employer, it's not as easy to change jobs if you don't like it (as the other company has to be eligible to take on your sponsorship).

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