Australian 457 Visa megathread (sponsorship)

dclewis

Just curious if I applied for a 457 tomorrow how long would it be before I am allowed to go to aus/nz.

Presume I have had a job offer.

Thanks

hussey

Mod Please do a search on the forum, a lots of discussions around 457.

Can take between 2 days and 2 months.

Mellor

It depends, have the company been approved for standard business sponsorship? Has your nomination been approved? If not the process will be lengthened, worry about gettign a job offer and not the time it wil take

Diddler82

It is as much about the documentation that you need to provide as opposed to the actually application.

Do you have a family, are you single? All this will be a factor but typically it can take up to 2 Months.

Brown Trout

My 457 visa including my girlfriend as a defacto took 3 weeks to come through once I had all the necessary paperwork submitted.

dclewis

My wife has a job with Harvey normans. So she can get a transfer. I will be hoping to go on her visa. It will be just the 2 of us. We want to go in march, would we be better starting the application process before or after christmas

Mellor

Definitely before, why would you wait? There isn't a time limit on it or anything.
If you start in Janurary there is a real chance that it won't be approved before march, even if it is then you are booking last minute flights

memaul

dclewis,

just wondering how you got on? hoping to be in a similar situation soon

memaul

Firstly I would just like to say that I have read through all the posts and I'm sorry if I have missed the answer to the questions I'm asking.

I will be graduating in May this year with a Civil Engineering degree and I have a company that will possibly sponsor me on the 457 visa.

My questions are the following:

Do I need to have a certain amount of experience in my field or can I be a recent graduate? I have read in a few places that the potential employee needs to have relevant experience but I cant see anywhere that puts a number on it. I have 6 months experience over the last 2 years.

Also, I will potentially be getting this sponsorship as a friend of mine who works for the company is vouching for me. He got sponsored last year. Because he got sponsored only last year I know that the company is an approved standard business sponsor. Does this mean that they can completely skip step 1 which is "Employer applies to be a sponsor" and move on to step 2 which is "Employer nominates a position".

I should also mention that I used my WHV a good few years ago. As well as that I will be hoping to get my fiancee defacto on my visa. I have plenty of evidence to prove that we've been together for years.

Any info or advice is greatly appreciated

Zambia

Happy reading

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/eligibility-employee.htm#e

Basically you need to do a skills assessment

memaul

thanks for the reply zambia but i think that the skills assesment is more for trades such as carpenters and electricians. maybe i'm wrong

Zambia

You will need to prove you are qualified in what you are being sponsored for.

On the FAQ there is as link to a guide to bodies who assess your skills.

hussey

memaul wrote: »

thanks for the reply zambia but i think that the skills assesment is more for trades such as carpenters and electricians. maybe i'm wrong

What line of work are you in? The skills depend on that, e.g. IT cv and references are usually good enough

memaul

have skills, qualifications, experience and an employment background which match those required for the position

Skills assessment

Australia requires visa applicants to have the skills required for their nominated positions. Where necessary for safety or to prevent fraud, Australia will undertake more extensive skills assessments to confirm skills claimed by applicants.
Australia requires formal skills assessments of some trade occupations. This arrangement commenced on 1 July 2009 and will be extended as capacities are increased.
More information on this new skills assessment process is available on the Trades Recognition Australia website

thanks for the replys folks, i got the above from the governments website,

i'm still fairly confused as i cant find anything that nails down exactly whats needed. wouldn't the fact that i'll have a degree prove that i would have the skills required. with regards the experience i will only have 6 months spread out over 2 years. as far as i can see the skills assesment is for trades only and i dont see anything for assessing civil engineers.

Zambia

Its like applying for a job you basically have to prove your skills with degrees past work exp etc.

mandrake04

memaul wrote: »

thanks for the replys folks, i got the above from the governments website,

i'm still fairly confused as i cant find anything that nails down exactly whats needed. wouldn't the fact that i'll have a degree prove that i would have the skills required. with regards the experience i will only have 6 months spread out over 2 years. as far as i can see the skills assesment is for trades only and i dont see anything for assessing civil engineers.

If you are an Engineer then EA is where you should be looking.

http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/about-us/migration-skills-assessment

The skills assessment will determine whether you have the skills required, a degree is only a piece of paper.

John Vevers

Hi,

In most instances you will only be required to undertake a skills assessment if you are either A) applying for General Skilled Migration or you are applying for a 457 and nominating a specific role, and you are from a particular country.

From memory, engineering roles do NOT require a skill assessments for 457 Visa applications. In order to satisfy the Department, you will generally have to demonstrate a qualification related to the nominated role, as well as three (3) years work experience.

In order to sponsor you, the Employer / SBS-holder must firstly nominate you in the role and then you would need to apply for the visa. Two stages, provided the SBS is still valid.

I hope this helps,

John

s.c

John Vevers wrote: »

Hi,

In most instances you will only be required to undertake a skills assessment if you are either A) applying for General Skilled Migration or you are applying for a 457 and nominating a specific role, and you are from a particular country.

From memory, engineering roles do NOT require a skill assessments for 457 Visa applications. In order to satisfy the Department, you will generally have to demonstrate a qualification related to the nominated role, as well as three (3) years work experience.

In order to sponsor you, the Employer / SBS-holder must firstly nominate you in the role and then you would need to apply for the visa. Two stages, provided the SBS is still valid.

I hope this helps,

John (MARN 1067816)

Am I right in saying that the time spent in college counts as experience in this instance?

hussey

s.c wrote: »

Am I right in saying that the time spent in college counts as experience in this instance?

Work experience yes, but college in general nope

s.c

hussey wrote: »

Work experience yes, but college in general nope

Just wondering as when I got sponsored (Civil Engineer), I had a total of about 18 months work experience. 4 x 3months(summer work) + 6 months with the company that sponsored me and I did not need to get a skills assessment.

John Vevers

s.c wrote: »

Am I right in saying that the time spent in college counts as experience in this instance?

Hi,

Work experience undertaken during your time at college can certainly count towards the three year requirement.

John

memaul

thanks for all the replies people

memaul

John Vevers wrote: »

Hi,

Work experience undertaken during your time at college can certainly count towards the three year requirement.

John

Hi John,

Can you tell me if they are strict on the three years experience. Also if they are strict, is there any other options for me. I will only have 6 months experience but will have a company who is willing to sponsor me.

Thanks

John Vevers

Hi there,

The actual 457 Visa Application requires applicants to provide details of 'employment over the past three years'.

I have reviewed the Regulations and found that the Department must only be satisfied that the applicant has the relevant skills and experiences (makes no mention of 'three years').

In light of this, perhaps you may be eligible to apply for a 457 without having a full three years work experience provided you have the 'skills' and some 'experience' over the past three years.

In a way, it is open to interpretation - you must remember however that with experience may come varying pay levels and awards. Some applicants who have minimal years experience may not qualify for the TSMIT and, therefore, although skilled enough to do the job, will not meet the Department's salary criteria and therefore not be elgibile for a 457.

Perhaps a suggestion to you would be to gain further employment overseas in order to a) fulfil the 'experience' requirement and b) ensure you meet the TSMIT and Market Salary Rates component of the 457 process.

John

memaul

John Vevers wrote: »

Hi there,

The actual 457 Visa Application requires applicants to provide details of 'employment over the past three years'.

I have reviewed the Regulations and found that the Department must only be satisfied that the applicant has the relevant skills and experiences (makes no mention of 'three years').

In light of this, perhaps you may be eligible to apply for a 457 without having a full three years work experience provided you have the 'skills' and some 'experience' over the past three years.

In a way, it is open to interpretation - you must remember however that with experience may come varying pay levels and awards. Some applicants who have minimal years experience may not qualify for the TSMIT and, therefore, although skilled enough to do the job, will not meet the Department's salary criteria and therefore not be elgibile for a 457.

Perhaps a suggestion to you would be to gain further employment overseas in order to a) fulfil the 'experience' requirement and b) ensure you meet the TSMIT and Market Salary Rates component of the 457 process.

John

thanks very much john for looking into it, and thanks to everyone else for their replies

Mellor

memaul wrote: »

Also, I will potentially be getting this sponsorship as a friend of mine who works for the company is vouching for me. He got sponsored last year. Because he got sponsored only last year I know that the company is an approved standard business sponsor. Does this mean that they can completely skip step 1 which is "Employer applies to be a sponsor" and move on to step 2 which is "Employer nominates a position".

This was touched on above but just to clarify.
The SBS approval is time-limited, so it may have run out in the time between his applyign and your applying. If he was the first person they sponsored, then the SBS would still be valid, but if they sponsored other it may have run out.
It should make a difference really, all 3 steps can be lodged together. If it has run out then it will only add a small bit of time to processing, if at all.

hussey

Mod Guys we have a Skilled Migration megathread .. can we keep GSM questions there rather than a 457 thread?
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76575109

hussey

Mod Okay it seems like every day people are asking a few simple questions: Can I get sponsored and How can I start this process.

I'm going to merge a few recent 457 threads to here. Hopefully will be a central location for questions.

The first place to look for info is obviously here
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/

zuzuzu

hey there, sorry for butting into the topic but just a small question to put my mind at ease, Been working in my position as a Project Engineer with a company for four month now and they have said they'll sponsor me on a 457 visa and have new contract signed off.

Going through the paper work at the moment and in regards to qualification I have a two year Higher certificate in Civil Engineering and was just wondering what would i class this as an equivalent over here.... I have five years experience in my position plus numerous courses completed with the company since i started with them so i think the process should be fine....

Just anxious that if i don't rate my qualification high enough it could be rejected and if i rate it too high i could be cancelled for providing false information. Need a bit of advice to put my nerves at rest

No6

I am expecting an offer of a job which will be on a 457 visa. Do I need a skills assessment on this. Also what is the story with the medical assessment, I am a type 2 diabetic will that go against me?

mandrake04

No6 wrote: »

I am expecting an offer of a job which will be on a 457 visa. Do I need a skills assessment on this.

You have not put any details as what your occupation etc is so its hard to know, you should consult a migration agent or even the migration agent your prospective employer might appoint.

No6 wrote: »

Also what is the story with the medical assessment, I am a type 2 diabetic will that go against me?

I doubt diabetes would have any bearing on a 457 as its not as if you are emigrating here or anything, might be a different story for a migrant PR visa.

Afaik the medical for 457 these days is for those who work in healthcare and is to check that you dont have any nasty diseases.

myflipflops

No6 wrote: »

Also what is the story with the medical assessment, I am a type 2 diabetic will that go against me?

All i had to get was a chest X ray and sent it over by registered post to the immigration place.

Your diabetes will not be a problem I believe.

Mellor

No6 wrote: »

I am expecting an offer of a job which will be on a 457 visa. Do I need a skills assessment on this. Also what is the story with the medical assessment, I am a type 2 diabetic will that go against me?

As you know, i'm on a 457 also. And from a similar background to yourself.
I didn't do a skills assessment, my specific job title is architect. And I didn't do a medical either.

The fact that you are applying off shore might mean its required, but I don't think it would matter.

No6

Mellor wrote: »

As you know, i'm on a 457 also. And from a similar background to yourself.
I didn't do a skills assessment, my specific job title is architect. And I didn't do a medical either.

The fact that you are applying off shore might mean its required, but I don't think it would matter.

Did you get the 457 when you were over there? My new role will be Building Surveyor, so I am curious if a skills assessment is required or not, obviously the people who are going to hire me are happy with my level of experience base on my CV and interviews.

Mellor

No6 wrote: »

Did you get the 457 when you were over there? My new role will be Building Surveyor, so I am curious if a skills assessment is required or not, obviously the people who are going to hire me are happy with my level of experience base on my CV and interviews.

I was already over here and had been working for them for c.6 months.
A big part of the application was their statements about the job description, the work I was doing etc
for the council job, they will write the job brief. So you shold be fine if they want you.

karl bracken

Changing your 457 sponsored position, i was not aware that you could be on a 457 and move to another company in a different position. It seams you can!
It seams all the new company has to do is put in a new nomination for your position. (Correct me if im wrong)

Very happy about this :D

Applying for a new visa or changing employer

If you have an employee who wants to apply for a new visa (where their current visa is about to expire), the employee must lodge a new visa application.
If you want to change employer or position (within the validity of their current visa), you are not required to apply for a new subclass 457 visa.


http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/how-the-visa-works.htm

s.c

karl bracken wrote: »

Changing your 457 sponsored position, i was not aware that you could be on a 457 and move to another company in a different position. It seams you can!
It seams all the new company has to do is put in a new nomination for your position. (Correct me if im wrong)

Very happy about this :D

Applying for a new visa or changing employer

If you have an employee who wants to apply for a new visa (where their current visa is about to expire), the employee must lodge a new visa application.
If you want to change employer or position (within the validity of their current visa), you are not required to apply for a new subclass 457 visa.


http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/how-the-visa-works.htm

Yes in theory it is very simple but the new company would need to go through almost the same process the initial sponsoring company, so its a lot of hastle for them. Then again of course if you have a skill, etc that they desire then they may be willing to do so..

karl bracken

I dont see how its any more than them submitting a nomination for a new role which is pretty straight forward and then transferring your visa, this part i am still looking into

s.c

karl bracken wrote: »

I dont see how its any more than them submitting a nomination for a new role which is pretty straight forward and then transferring your visa, this part i am still looking into

Ok so.

karl bracken

helpfull bud keep up the good work

Mellor

karl bracken wrote: »

I dont see how its any more than them submitting a nomination for a new role which is pretty straight forward and then transferring your visa, this part i am still looking into

They would also need to be an approved standard business sponsor (SBS). if they weren't already that would add to the processing.

s.c

karl bracken wrote: »

helpfull bud keep up the good work

You don't seem to need help. You appear to know it all. bud.

karl bracken

Thought that was covered somewhere else in the thread Mellor, thanks. The new part to my knowledge was being able to change your job, i assumed you were locked into same job for the duration of the 457.

Thanks s.c youve been great, google knows all not me!

hussey

Transferring your visa becomes a 2 step process rather than the initial 3 step process, the 1 process that gets dropped is the 'you' part.

If the company has not nominated before it's as much hassle as the 457, and I know a few companies who just applied for a new 457 rather than transfer

I know 2 people who have done it, 1 had a 3.5 week wait (as company never sponsored before, the other was a few days

karl bracken

I understand the nomination part and the part about the company being a registered business sponser but to transfer a sponsorship what is the second part?
I mean after the new companies position nomination is approved, what is the next step?
Iv been looking all over immi.gov.au and cant find the answer!

mandrake04

karl bracken wrote: »

I understand the nomination part and the part about the company being a registered business sponser but to transfer a sponsorship what is the second part?
I mean after the new companies position nomination is approved, what is the next step?
Iv been looking all over immi.gov.au and cant find the answer!

3 Steps

1. Business registers to be an approved sponsor
2. Business Nominates an Applicant for sponsorship (or Nominates a holder of subclass 457 visa)
3. Applicant applies for 457 visa.


If the new employer is already currently approved to be a sponsor then they don't need to register as an approved sponsor (part 1) but the only need to do step 2.

If the new employer is not an approved sponsor and wants to take over the employees sponsorship then they need to do do Step 1 & 2.

If an employee is already sponsored then they use the existing visa (part 3) and this step doesn't need to be repeated.

If the Employer has never sponsored before and the employee has never been sponsored before then Steps 1,2 & 3 apply.

karl bracken

mandrake04 wrote: »

If an employee is already sponsored then they use the existing visa (part 3) and this step doesn't need to be repeated.

Ok sorry if im not getting this but the employee is on 457 and lets say the New nomination goes through what does the new employee have to do after that to move to new company?

From the immigration site ive see they do not have to go through another 457 application

So new nomination is approved then ????

Cheers.

mandrake04

Well if the new nomination is approved and the employee already granted a 457 then it's all good to go

karl bracken

Thanks for the info, i had a read over the nomination form and in part B it asks for current visa details so this must be where the visa is transferred.

I didnt even notice this part when filling out the nomination the first time as it didnt apply to me!

memaul

So I'm going to be lodging my application in the next few weeks. Just letting people know what Engineers Australia view is on the skills assessment for the 457 visa.

They state that "Engineers who come to Australia on temporary 457 visas do not have their qualifications assessed by an assessment authority. Provided that their visa application is accompanied by [FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif]an employer’s acceptance of their qualifications, this is deemed sufficient support to fill the [/FONT][FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif]position offered by the employer." [/FONT]

I wont be getting my skills assessed and I'll let ye know if they request me to do so when I submit my application.

Mellor

memaul wrote: »

So I'm going to be lodging my application in the next few weeks. Just letting people know what Engineers Australia view is on the skills assessment for the 457 visa.

They state that "Engineers who come to Australia on temporary 457 visas do not have their qualifications assessed by an assessment authority. Provided that their visa application is accompanied by [FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif]an employer’s acceptance of their qualifications, this is deemed sufficient support to fill the [/FONT][FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif]position offered by the employer." [/FONT]

I wont be getting my skills assessed and I'll let ye know if they request me to do so when I submit my application.

There is no skills assessment for a 457 visa. Only for PR visas.