Does PR Application have to be by Main 457 Applicant?
 

Hi everybody, hope you are all doing well

I am just asking this question on behalf of a friend and would be very grateful for any help...

My friend is the main applicant/visa holder of a 457 and came to Australia, from Ireland, with his wife and two children. He is a Diesel Fitter. Now after 2 years, they are looking at a 189 PR application.

Unfortunately for him, he is struggling to achieve a score of 7 in the IELTS after two attempts, and can't get enough points to qualify without doing it. English isn't his best subject.

As a result, he was thinking that his wife could apply for the PR, as she is a teacher and has a total of 65 points without doing the IELTS.

Is this option possible as she is not the main 457 visa holder/applicant, or does this not matter as long as she has a valid visa?

Thanks in advance guys

Adam

Re: Does PR Application have to be by Main 457 Applicant?
 

There is no need to hold a 457 in order to apply for a 189 visa. Many of us got the 189 without ever having stepped foot in Australia never mind have a 457.

I would always have recommended a teacher be a main applicant rather than a mechanic, skills assessments can be hard for tradies. If she is a secondary teacher then she should certainly look into it.

Re: Does PR Application have to be by Main 457 Applicant?
 

The only visa option that requires someone to wait for 2 years whilst being sponsored by their employer on the 457 visa are the employer sponsored transitional stream visas (the main reasons usually being if you are unable to meet the skills or English requirements otherwise). If you are eligible to apply for permanent residence at any stage there is no need to wait 2 years.

His wife could certainly look at the independent skilled, or potentially the direct employer sponsored visa options, both of which can be applied for at any time.

If his employer is willing to sponsor him your friend might also look at the employer sponsored options direct or transitional (if eligible) both of which would have an easier English requirement than 7.

Alternatively, if he already has his skills assessment etc might your friend be able to obtain extra points under another criteria e.g. 5 points for state sponsorship?

Tee