CMT

My husband has been offered a postition subject o the specialist immigration company granting us a visa - the company have said we go over on a temporary visa but they would sponsor us to become PR's but we have to pay the cost, does that mean that it would give us more of a chance of being given PR's in Oz or not?
thanks

JAJ

Under current rules being on a temporary visa makes no difference to an employer nominated PR application. That might change next year for those on a temp visa for more than 2 years, but it's the situation now.

Is there a specific reason why they won't sponsor for PR straight away? This is quite possible.

You've got to ask yourselves do you want to uproot yourselves from the UK without the security of a permanent visa. If you must go on a temporary visa, at least read this thread to know what you're letting yourselves in for:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266447

Rules for employer nomination are may well change in 2005, depending on circumstances it may be easier to get PR this way - or harder.

Jeremy

CMT

So basically the fact that the employer will sponsor us as a family does not give us any better a chance of becoming PR's than if we were applying independently? If so what is the point in being sponsored in the first place?
Thanks

SuperSeagulls

I expect I am wrong but I thought Migration Agents werent allowed to sponsor people to work for them. I thought it was to stop people who would normally fail the application process from being allowed to enter via this route.

SS

CMT

Sorry, have not made it clear, the migration company would not sponsor us, the company that my husband has been offered the position is a separate company, also does the PR depend heavily on the type of work that you do, for instance my husband would be going to work on military aircraft (he's an aircraft maintenance engineer), for which I believe there must b a shortage because they travelled a fair distance and 3 various locations from Oz to interview for this trade.

JAJ

No that is not what I said at all.
Have you read the information on the DIMIA website about employer nomination?

Employer nomination is a different way to get PR (an alternative to the points system). It's not points tested but has some tricky requirements of its own. It is not automatic based on a job offer.

I did say that having a work permit visa does not give you any benefit in the employer nomination PR process.

It is possible to apply for employer nomination PR from offshore (applications are normally given priority) and it is certainly not necessary to go to Australia on a temporary visa beforehand, unless you want to do this and accept the risks. I do suggest you read the information already given to you and make yourself very familiar with it.

Many people get sponsored by employers for PR from Day 1 and this is usually the best option. If the employer is desperate enough to hire, they should be prepared to take this extra step.

Jeremy

CMT

The company has told us they will take us over as temporary but that they want families as they want and need people to stay - however have not said why they aren't taking us as PR's. Spoken to a friend who currently works for Qantas in Australia who says whilst applying for your visa through the company's immigration specialist you can at the same time apply for PR - a family done this just a few months ago with Qantas through the company's immigration specialist an although went out on a 457 within 5 weeks PR came through. The company has told me that we should expect a wait of 3 months for the temporary visa.

JAJ

Don't you think you are owed an answer to that if you're uprooting yourselves from the UK?

PR is never guaranteed until it's granted (and validated if applicable).
What would you do if it was refused for some reason?

A well prepared PR application with medicals and police checks 'front loaded' should not take much more than 3-4 months in most circumstances.

Jeremy

CMT

The company has said the reason they take us over as TR is because it is a quicker process. The immigration specialist has asked me to sent over various documents for them to assess whether or not we would be likely to qualify for PR - although she did say that the company would not be paying the money out if they did not believe we would qualify.

JAJ

Your choice.

All I'd suggest is read the thread on the lifestyle forum entitled '457 visa restrictions', assess the risks and make up your own mind.

Be aware that some people do get the PR visa sorted out in advance. Make sure you have a written commitment to immediately sponsor for PR (so they don't change their minds after getting you to Australia) and some kind of financial clauses in your contract that cover repatriation (at company's expense) if the job ends and you don't have PR.

Being on a temp visa is quite a risk if the job doesn't work out as your rights are few and far between.

If you have children of school age - check the school fees issue.

Jeremy

bridiej

If they're that desperate for your husbands skills I would insist on a PR.

Like Jeremy says there are lots of pitfalls if you're sponsored by your employer, not least what happens if your husband is made redundant or just doesnt like the job / people he's working for? You'll be stuffed basically...

It's your call at the end of the day but I know I would not want to uproot all the way over there and have to work in a job I hated just to stay in the country....

Obviously this is worst case scenario but something I think you should consider.

CMT

We are in contact with some people who currently are out there working for Qantas doing the job my husband would be doing and so have been speaking to them about various issues, they too went over on TR but one who has taken his wife and kids is now PR and the otheris in the process of applying. Both kids are under school age at the moment.