Mr Kilt

Hi All,

I was looking for a bit of help if possible. I am getting sponsored to come to sunny Perth on the 457 visa. It will soon be time for me to complete my part of the process. I am a little worried about the character test.

I am now 29 and when I was 18 I got charged with serious assault after a fight. It was my only conviction and I got a £350 fine. Not my best moment in life. I am now worried this will stop me getting the visa. Can anyone advise if I am worrying over nothing or I should unpack my bags now?

Thanks

Pollyana

Doubt very much it will affect the visa. Just be up front about it, and have a think as to who can give you a character reference if necessary to say how you have reforme.

spence501

You won`t have a problem. Not too proud to admit but I have possession of a class B substance against my name, so does my wife and she has fraud, theft and assault and they still let us in. Though reading that back I don`t know how my wife got in as she sounds like trouble

Mr Kilt

Ha ha, Yeah she does sound like trouble. Saying that so do we both :-) Really appreciate the feedback. Put my mind at rest....right on to the next worry......

Mr Kilt

Can I ask though..... How does the check work? Do you have to provide a police record or something or do they do the background check? I take it there is a section on the form to declare your murky past?

foster1989

hi mr kilt,

im in the same situation as u, going out on a 457 to perth, i have couple of minor convictions ( abh ) when i was under 18 im now 21 with a family so im hoping i will be ok i have good character refs so im hoping it will be ok, what work u going out to perth for?

Pollyana

You have to get the police check done and forward it to DIAC. If in the UK, the link is http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

Mr Kilt

Yeah I have my fingers crossed for us both. So as well as the police check you also have to get character ref as well? I can't seem to find any details about who should provide it etc..??

Pollyana

Agents on here in the past have advised that DIAC can ask for them, its a way of proving you've reformed. Just has to be someone whose word carries weight - pillar of the community kind-of thing, so someone like a police office, bank manager, teacher, solicitor etc that knows you personally

moneypenny20

Don't forget to put all convictions on the forms though, if you don't put the true facts, they (DIAC) could see the difference between the PCC and your statement and decide that you're trying to withhold information. Not a problem if you're totally honest though.