qualifying age limit

[phil & ali]

Hi
Does anyone have any idea if the qualifying age limit for a skilled visa has been raised from 45?
I have just heard from a friend who emigrated 2 years ago & she thinks it has been raised to 50 or even 55.
That would be just too good to be true as it would mean we didn't have to rush everything through


Thanks
ali

[cazb]

I certainly haven't heard about this - we are rushing to lodge our application before OH hits 45 in July. Let me know if you hear anything!!

Caroline

[jonseywife]

Hiya........
Like cazb, we are also rushing to get ours done before the old man hits 45 - we're using an agent so im sure he would have said!!!!!!
Maybe your friend is thinking of New Zealand or Canada coz there age limit is higher!!!
I'll watch this space though, would be interested to know ????

[ali]

I haven't heard this either - it also seems an awfully big jump to increase it by 10 years. As long as your application is submitted before your 45th birthday you'll be ok. Remember, that you only have to validate your visa in the first 12 months, you then have another 4 years to make the move for good.

Ali

[Gollywobbler]

Hi all

It is sometimes possible for skilled workers and business people to migrate if they are older than 45 by the time they apply, but it relies on the person being "exceptional" enough to qualify for an exemption from the normal age-limit. The choice of visas is far more restricted for those over 45. It looks to me to be easier for people with an established and convincing track-record of running their own busineses elsewhere.

The Policy behind it is that the Govt reckons it is more difficult for people to make a new life for themselves in Oz much above the age of 45 (except for Parents and people who want to retire to Australia, but the Investor Retirement visa looks very expensive to me.)

That is the general gist. I'm not going to try to say which of the visas would be the ones to consider if you want to defer an application. I don't think I know enough to be able to do that reliably.

Cheers

Gill

[Alan Collett]

No, the age limit for general skilled migration to Australia is still 44.

However, employer sponsorships can allow you to migrate once you have reached the age of 45 ... the challenge of course is finding an employer to sponsor you.

Best regards.

Originally Posted by phil & ali

Hi
Does anyone have any idea if the qualifying age limit for a skilled visa has been raised from 45?
I have just heard from a friend who emigrated 2 years ago & she thinks it has been raised to 50 or even 55.
That would be just too good to be true as it would mean we didn't have to rush everything through


Thanks
ali

[middleagednormal]

As far as I'm aware, and I've been keeping a somewhat obsessive eye open for anything to do with this issue, the age bar is still 45 for skilled migration, unless a case can be made by a nominating employer on the grounds of exceptional skills or experience unlikely to have been gained by anyone under 45, or which are essential to the employer's business and not otherwise available in Australia, under one of the nominated migration schemes.

It's not a good policy, carrying as it does more than a tinge of throwing out a lot more than the baby with the bathwater, and is one which is driven by statistical surveys of the outcomes experienced by older migrants (many of whom may well, in the past, have been older family members, and/or possibly not terribly highly educated or skilled, maybe even not fluent in English).

I'm in the same unhappy boat myself, hence my posting in the 'socialising and get-together' forum (which was perhaps the wrong location), in which I enquire as to the existence of any suitably aged bloke who might be interested in marriage for the purpose of migration. Do I sound desperate? (don't answer that). But it's a damn fool rule, and one which should be changed.

Please, if you do hear any substantial rumour of any change to the over 45 policy, post it here - there are quite a few of us frustrated well-qualified potential migrants champing at the bit out here.

[phil & ali]

Well, sorry guys for building any hopes up (just like mine!) - just got it from the horses mouth so to speak. ITS NOT TRUE!!!
Just spoken with an agent at Visa Bureau who told me that unfortunately the age limit has not been raised. The only way you can get in after the age of 45 is on a sponsorship visa if you have a skill they want badly enough.
Looks like thats the way we will have to go as although I am a Registered Nurse, I haven't been working for 12 out of the past 18 months so can't apply for a skills visa - boy how much good news can 1 girl take On a real downer now - had only just got to look on the positive side of emigrating & have had the rug pulled already
Never mind, will just keep trying
ali

[phil & ali]

Sorry Alan, didn't see your reply before I posted my last one!
Thanks
ali

[Gollywobbler]

Hi Ali

If you really want to move to Australia, I wouldn't give up so easily. Please see this link:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skill...visa-works.htm

As long as you can renew your UK nursing licence, if you were to contact one of the specialist nursing recruitment agencies who recruit nurses to go and work in Australia, I reckon that they would find you the job and organise the visa for you.

Sure, it is only a temp visa to start with, but the demand for overseas nurses will stay high and after a couple of years it can be converted to a PR visa via either ens or rsms (not sure which and it might even be via either.)

If you were not a nurse, then I'd say your chances probably wouldn't be high, but being a qualified and experienced nurse gives you a massive advantage.

The Wanted Down Under series which ended recently has led to a huge number of calls to every migration agent in the UK. A lot of the agents won't get involved with a case which is not going to be ultra-simple, because the simpler the job the more profitable it is for the agents.

I'll try to find the names of the nursing agencies. If I succeed, I'll post them on here. Other members, who are nurses themselves, may have used them.

Cheers

Gill