debbie lawrence

hi just to let you know we're here on a 457 visa, my husband put his cv on the internet when in the uk as he had no work there and we were approached by an agent, they didn't charge us anything (but did go through the migrant agent they said for the visa), think we could have done it ourselves but it was never a dream of ours to come to australia so didn't really know what we were doing, and i think they charged the company (like a normal recruitment agency would). my husbands job is on the skills list so that obviously makes a huge difference, they would have also been willing to sponsor us for PR but we're too old (51), but are happy to sponsor us for another 4 years, i have a permanent job with SA health and they don't seem to be fazed by the temporary nature of the visa, i think all in all we've been lucky, i can only go by our experience but please feel free to ask any questions and i can let you know what happened to us and what i would have done differently. Debs

thanks for the information everyone.

Hi guys, wonder if anyone could help with some general advice, if your on a 457 visa and get offered another job with an approved sponsor, is it easy enough to get it transfered, what would be involved and would there be any costs ? thanks for any info.

thanks everyone, thats what she's going to do, go to Europe and apply for the 2nd year when she's ready to come back. thanks

Sorry I didn't thank you sooner, we've been away, I will let her know, it'll probably be better for her to apply when she's away in Europe/uk, thanks a lit for the reply it will hopefully mean she won't waste any of the 2nd year by being out of the country thanks

Sorry thought I replied - not sure what happened lol. Yes she has done it and the forms all signed

Hi everyone wonder if anyone can help, my daughters here on her first year whv which is up in September, she's going to apply for her 2nd year but is going backpacking round Europe with her Aussie boyfriend, if she applies does it run straight after this one runs out, is she better going to Europe and then applying for the second year? They have already booked flights to Madrid for the end of this visa. Thanks for any advice

Hi not really in your position as we're here temporary on a 457 but we are in Adelaide and loving every minute of it, so when you get here make contact, Poms in Adelaide site and we can try to make you feel welcome and help with the transition. All the best and enjoy a traditional cold christmas - that really is hard to get used to !.

Hi just to let you know, that she applied on Sunday (using my bank account to pay for it as it was in AU$) and it showed on my bank account straight away, she didn't need to attached any passport copies, and when we checked the next morning (monday) it had been approved. So she'll be flying back with us in September to do a bit of travelling around. Debbie

Hi thanks for coming back to me, it looked like a few people had done that, wow that was quick with the visa, fingers crossed hers is like that. Thank you

Hi would someone who's applied for a Working Holiday Visa lately be able to help please, my daughter is applying and i believe you need a certified copy of your passport but i've also seen people saying that they have just uploaded a copy but its not been certified, would it be refused it it wasn't certified or do they just ask you to get it certified. Also how long did it take to get the Visa ? Thanks in advance, its just that we're doing this quickly as we're visiting the UK next week and coming back on the 22nd September and she would like to come back with us. Thanks Debbie

hi my kids did there visitor visa online last year - one came for just under 3 months and the other just over, and it took seconds, before they'd even had chance to tell me they'd applied for them (as i was worried how long they'd take) they got the confirmation back. Think the visitor ones are a formality as long as you have no convictions or restrictions on your passport, have a good holiday, word of warning its raining in Adelaide at the minute. Debs

Please stop knocking Adelaide, having never visit Australia before, I now live here and there is always stacks to do, just having a dip in the pool after a lovely 31 degree day - no humidity, fringe show tomorrow, waterskiing on the murray river the weekend, wine tasting in the Barossa, you can do as much or as little as you want, we're here for a more relaxed way of life, housing is affordable, and to be honest if i wanted to work to live i'd have stayed in London, different places suit different people and while it may not be everyones cup of tea its now my home and I love it. Most people haven't even visited here, so please everyone respect everyone elses choices or maybe come to Adelaide and see what its all about Debbie

Hi my husband didn't need a skills assessment for his 457 as a panel beater but bear in mind if you decide when your here to go for Direct Entry 186 before the 2 years you will need one so make sure you bring all your paperwork with you.

thanks for that, was hoping we could use the original ones, unfortunately have checked it out and definately not on high salary and the exemptions don't apply, but we're happy to stay on the 457 and always plan to go back, we could have gone for the 186 if we'd got here a year earlier, but thats the way it goes, do you know if its as quick to get a second one (original one only took a week when it had been submitted, or how soon we can apply before this one runs out.