[southwalian]

Hi all Can any one help with info on PR visa I looked into the 457 visa for my familly but with some great advice from B.E.com regarding security and stability with 4 children the PR visa seems a better choice but:
Could i apply from the UK?
Should i use a migration agent?
How much does it cost for PR visa for 2 adults+4 children?
If you are still with me , how do i go about applying.
My partner (of 15 year's) is a nurse and has been working for approx 3 year's
Any tips on where a good location for schools are would be great. The children are in junior not comprehensive school.
Any and all info is very much appreciated
Cheers guys hope to hear from you soon:thumbsup

[Bermudashorts]

Your partner should follow these steps roughly:

• Check she passes a points test
• Take IELTS if necessary (usually is for points)
• Get positive skills assesssment
• Secure state sponorship if necessry
• Lodge visa application
• Wait. Do medicals and police checks when asked.

[verystormy]

The only thing i would say is do not discount the 457 visa. There are comments on here from a lot of people that are negative about the visa. But most have never had one. We came on a 457 route and are now perm res. For a nurse it is not too big a problem as even if your partner didnt like the place they worked or they lost their job, getting another with sponsorship should not be too difficult.
The advantage of the 457 is its fast - normally about 4-6 weeks compared to years for a pr visa and cost. PR can cost thousands (which if they change the criteria mid way through and you no longer qualify you do not get a refund) against nothing for a PR and the sponsor usually providing relocation assistance - against PR where you will have thousands in relocations costs.

[mrsgreenstar76]

Originally Posted by verystormy The only thing i would say is do not discount the 457 visa. There are comments on here from a lot of people that are negative about the visa. But most have never had one. We came on a 457 route and are now perm res. For a nurse it is not too big a problem as even if your partner didnt like the place they worked or they lost their job, getting another with sponsorship should not be too difficult. The advantage of the 457 is its fast - normally about 4-6 weeks compared to years for a pr visa and cost. PR can cost thousands (which if they change the criteria mid way through and you no longer qualify you do not get a refund) against nothing for a PR and the sponsor usually providing relocation assistance - against PR where you will have thousands in relocations costs.

If they change the criteria after applying, you are assessed by the rules in place at the time of application. Your priority may change & it could take longer, but that's not the same as rejecting the application & refusing to refund.

[BigChris]

Go to immi.gov.uk and do the points test. It's all down to occupation, age, etc. All the forms and booklets you would need for the PR visa or other types of visa are available for download on there too.

I didn't use an agent for my PR visa as it's more or less a step by step process and form filling exercise. Unless you have special circumstances I think it's easy enough to do it yourself. You will be able to work out the cost for the visa on there too, but would also need to factor in costs for 6 passport size photos each, medicals and chest x-rays for all of you and age appropriate police checks.

[southwalian]

Thanks for all the reply's We will check thru immi.gov for points. I like the idea of part/all relocation costs but does anyone know if we would have to pay school fees/costs if we were on 457 compared tp PR visa? Also i receive flash messages about up-coming Expo's but would anyone recommend them and if so which one as there seems to be more and more of these poping up?
Have a great day all and thanks again for the reply's

[newjersey]

Originally Posted by BigChris Go to immi.gov.uk and do the points test. It's all down to occupation, age, etc. All the forms and booklets you would need for the PR visa or other types of visa are available for download on there too. I didn't use an agent for my PR visa as it's more or less a step by step process and form filling exercise. Unless you have special circumstances I think it's easy enough to do it yourself. You will be able to work out the cost for the visa on there too, but would also need to factor in costs for 6 passport size photos each, medicals and chest x-rays for all of you and age appropriate police checks.

You meant to say immi.gov.au surely also there is no occupation points, not anymore. Everyone is treated equally, you get bulk of your points from age, English ability, work experience and education.

[newjersey]

Originally Posted by southwalian Thanks for all the reply's We will check thru immi.gov for points. I like the idea of part/all relocation costs but does anyone know if we would have to pay school fees/costs if we were on 457 compared tp PR visa? Also i receive flash messages about up-coming Expo's but would anyone recommend them and if so which one as there seems to be more and more of these poping up? Have a great day all and thanks again for the reply's

NSW charges 4.5k per kid per year if you are not a PR. Not sure about the others.

[Bermudashorts]

Originally Posted by southwalian Thanks for all the reply's We will check thru immi.gov for points. I like the idea of part/all relocation costs but does anyone know if we would have to pay school fees/costs if we were on 457 compared tp PR visa? Also i receive flash messages about up-coming Expo's but would anyone recommend them and if so which one as there seems to be more and more of these poping up? Have a great day all and thanks again for the reply's

I think your first instinct of going for PR straight away was correct. You are then securely PR from the start, not tied to an employer you might not get along with, not at risk of having to pack up and leave with 28 days notice if something goes wrong.

School fees are payable only in ACT and NSW, but you won't get any family tax benefits on the 457. Saving some relocation fees seems like a false economy to me.

[southwalian]

Thanks for the advice i really don't know what we would do without the great help & advice from BE.Com
We will keep going through all the info but the PR visa is still looking the best way. Thanks all

[Tramps_mate]

It's company specific as to whether they will help with relocation costs also. You may get no help.