rachoward

How much would that cost? thanks for the replies

Hello, I think I am one step away from a nervous breakdown. It has come as a bit of a shock but our 457 sponsor has said that they are not going to nominate us for residency on the transition stream (he will have worked for them for 2 years in December) despite early on saying they would. They are a medium sized company and I think they just don't understand whats involved or want to spend the time sorting it out. We are on a 457 and it ends March 2016. My partner is sponsored, he is a light vehicle mechanic. I am now thinking we will have to apply via a 189? My understanding is that this will require English tests and a skills assessment etc and I am in a panic as I don't know if we will run out of time on our current visa to get that all done and an EOI in and be invited to apply before our current visa expires. We went through so much to get the this point, living in the middle of nowhere and having a fairly terrible time for the first 18 months. We are finally settled, happy and want to stay here in Newcastle. Please, can anyone offer any advice? Are there any mechanics out there who have applied for skilled migration, particularly from inside Australia? Are/ were you on a 457 and not nominated for residency, what did you do? What are the timeframes involved in applying under skill select? Should we engage a migration agent/lawyer. Thanks so much, Rach