I am coming to Oz on a 457 visa but am thinking of applying for PR as soon as we get there. This will be done independantly and not employer sponsored PR as I don't want to be tied to a job/company incase I do not like it!
Please can somone advice of what we would need to do to start this process? Will it cost a lot and would we need more medicals/ police checks?
Has anyone else done the same thing?

You require your Birth certificate, Qualification certificates and references from previous employers.

You will need at least 120 points for independent PR

You need to get assessed for your occupation which must be on the SOL, and have worked in that occupation for 12 out of the last 24 months.

You will be able to obtain extra points if you worked in you occupation for I think three years out of the last 4.

You will have to obtain X-Rays and meds. again ($271)

Fed Police checks ($43)

UK Police checks ($90)

cost for Visa at least $2105


Just Bring any relevant paper work (above) with you, or best to bring the certified copies with you and leave the originals at home in a large envelope in a safe place.

Good Idea to leave it with a Solicitor and if required get it posted out if originals are required.

You can apply for your PR from the UK or when you are in Australia; however, the PR visa can only be collected from an offshore embassy/consulate, not in Australia.

The PR application will take 9-12 months, approximately, to process. During this time you must continue to be sponsored by an Australian employer. Should your employment cease, you will have 28 days to find a new sponsor or your visa will be cancelled.

There is also another option worthy of consideration, employer nomination scheme (ENS). ENS could lead you straight to PR, but you would need to be assessed to check that you qualify as well as find a suitable sponsor. The benefit with this option is that once you obtain your PR there is no binding immigration laws to prevent you from leaving your employer.

By presenting a decision-ready file, your application will have the highest chance of success and be processed in the most efficient manner. Missing documents or sloppy submissions will result in long delays and possible refusals.

Geoff Ward
Migration Agents Registration Number 0851489

Ps, if you have not got quite enough points.
You can gain extra from either working for 12months in Australia before applying(Think its about 10 extra). Also if you have a relative already on Permanent visa in Australia willing to sponser you the pass mark is lower.

Gems

Dear NB,

Some 457 sponsoring employers will also sponsor for an offshore ENS visa if requested, doesn't hurt to ask your current sponsor. That would save you a lot of effort in double processing.

Although it's true that an ENS visa does not give the employer any rights to enforce your contract of employment after arrival, that is not to say that leaving an employer without fair notice might not have other risks.

Cheers,

George Lombard

Generally speaking, would PR through an ENS as you describe above be quicker processed than a 'go it alone' PR application??

Hi,

Can you please tell me how did you find an employer to sponsor you. I am a Java programmer with 4 years of experience looking for a job in Australia but couldn't find employer to sponsor. Can you please give me the details.

Thanks

yes- it can be a few days (onshore) though service guidelines are 5 months i think

As a general rule, ENS is usually quicker than a general skilled migration application, especially for a non-MODL occupation. Assuming skill assessment has already been done.

DIAC do give priority to employer sponsored cases.

But every case is different.