I have just arrived in Sydney on a 4 year 457 Visa, i work in the civil engineering sector and was wondering how you go about applying for permanent residency.
Do you still need to meet all the points critera as you would for skilled migration?
The reason i took the sponsorship route was that i didn't have enough points top enter plus it doesn't cost too much if you get sponsored as the company pays for all that.
Has anyone been in the same situation?
Does time spent working in Australia help towards residency?
How would my company sponsor me for permanent residency?
So many questions, altough so much time, as i have just arrived.
we are on a Sponsorship visa and were in the same boat not enough points. If you cannot have a skills assessment ie not enough qualifications or experience then the only way seems to sit out your 2 years with the company then apply via ENS (employer Notimated Scheme). Basically your company puts you forward and says they want to sponsor you to stay and you have to apply that way. You still need meds etc done. You may want to check that the company you work for will be willing to do with after the 2 year period.
ENS can be lodged immediately, if you can get a skills assessment. ENS after 2 years in Australia (with at least the last 1 year working with the company wishing to lodge the ENS) without skills assessment. You may achieve the passmark with the possibility of scoring 10 extra points for having worked in Australia for at least 12 months - so you could then lodge your own Skilled visa application without needing your employer to sponsor you.
Thankyou very much for all the info. It looks like there is a chance after all. I should have sorted this out before the i was granted the 457 visa.
I think my company will sponsor me after the two years. Do you think i would be tied to the company that sponsors me for residecy as i am on the 457 visa. In other words, would i have to stay with that company for another two years for example?
hiya not sure if I can help, but I can confirm I have a permanent residency sub class 120 sponsored by queensland ambulance service. I can tell you it is one hell of a form about 8 times over. I belive it is for 5 years and then I would need to make a decision on whether or not I wish to stay and apply for citizenship. Like you it is all new to me. Unlike you I havent arrived yet. Gosh all this paperwork is a nightmare. I am sure the more informed on here will contact you but if I can help happy to.
ginny
I'm sure I've read that once the ENS visa is granted, one is no longer tied to the employer as far as the visa is concerned, but I would imagine that the Contract of Employment would tie one to the employer for a certain period anyway.
