Sanity check before I start filling in the wrong form

stickman · 19-03-2008, 11:31 AM

I've read about just as much as I can on the Aus immigration site and it seems that there are a few options of which visa would best suit us.

An overview of our situation: my wife's an experienced nurse, I'm a graphic designer. We're both under 45 (though it's catching us up, lol) and have a 12 yr old daughter. My sister lives in Sydney and is happy to sponsor us.

This leaves me thinking that the best route for us to take would be a Skilled Sponsored visa (subclass 176) with my wife as the main applicant.

We were at the expo in London on Sunday and my wife was pointed towards getting a 457 visa being with it supposedly being an easier way to get over there by a couple of the health stands, with financial help with the move, but we don't really fancy being tied to a job or area that we might find isn't what we're looking for.

I think the 176 visa would give us more flexibility. It looks like with being sponsored by my sister means that we have (if I answered the questions on the form correctly, lol) enough points to get the visa without job offers so makes things a little less complicated in my mind.

So, to those in the know, does the 176 look like the best route for us?

Cheers,
Tony

wardy · 19-03-2008, 12:03 PM

If your wife is an experienced nurse, i'm presuming she is working why are you going for a sponsored visa when you can have a 175 skilled independant.

This would give you PR straight away and the privilages that come with it.

Sponsored may get you there quicker, but you will still have to apply for PR when you get there.

stickman · 19-03-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wardy

If your wife is an experienced nurse, i'm presuming she is working why are you going for a sponsored visa when you can have a 175 skilled independant.

Yes, she's working here. When we looked at the 175, I think we were 5 points short of the required points unless she had a job offer or did the English Language test, which she doesn't really fancy sitting

wardy · 19-03-2008, 12:25 PM

Things must have changed then since we applied OH was 40/41 on our application and a 60 point job and we didnt have to sit tests or anything, based upon the info we ave we got our 120 points.

So it must be different, sorry.

stickman · 19-03-2008, 12:29 PM

Please don't apologise, it may be me that has it all screwy - hence the request for a sanity check. I could just go via a migration agent but I'd rather keep the money for a reccy holiday later this year

wardy · 19-03-2008, 12:39 PM

Have you tried ringing an agent most offer a free 15 minute consultation where you can find out what is the best visa for your position.

It will give you a head start to filling those forms in.

We used overseas Emigration, theres Go matilda, the emigration group, Visa bureau, thinking Australia, who are and have been reccommended on this site.

Google one of them and give them a ring, as I say most give a free initial assessment. Most will say a 175 is the best way to get instant PR, I suspect, but lots follow their dreams on different types of visas.

stickman · 19-03-2008, 01:09 PM

We did speak to an agent a couple of weeks ago actually, who worked out our points and advised us that we were 5 points below the (175 visa) pass mark of 120, and that if my wife sat the English test we'd get points awarded for that. we mentioned my sister being happy to sponsor us and they suggested that route if my wife didn't want to sit the English test.

I've just looked at the online form again and we have 125 points (assuming that 'proficient English' is the default for somebody who's native to the UK?) 130 if I get my qualifications assessed also

Time to double check with another agent I think. Confused? You will be, lol

wardy · 19-03-2008, 01:14 PM

I'm sure I was awarded 5 points for my qualifications a BA honours.

leanneandmark · 19-03-2008, 01:26 PM

Check em all, time consuming but we were told NO twice before Go Matida said YES you qualify!!!

murphandelf · 19-03-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickman

We did speak to an agent a couple of weeks ago actually, who worked out our points and advised us that we were 5 points below the (175 visa) pass mark of 120, and that if my wife sat the English test we'd get points awarded for that. we mentioned my sister being happy to sponsor us and they suggested that route if my wife didn't want to sit the English test.

I've just looked at the online form again and we have 125 points (assuming that 'proficient English' is the default for somebody who's native to the UK?) 130 if I get my qualifications assessed also

Time to double check with another agent I think. Confused? You will be, lol

Since the rules changed in September, UK passport holders only get 15 points for competent english. I ran into this problem, ended up being 5 points short and had to do the IELTS test. Having said that, it is not a difficult test (remember, it's designed for non-english speakers). Only downside is the £100 fee.
Good luck