RoyR

I'm not sure on the specifics, I only know there are 2 paths to PR from a 457. If you take the path that you're talking about you don't need to do the skills test as your 2 years working covers that. With the other path, as far as I know, you can apply for PR at any time as long as your employer is willing to sponsor you. As a side note, we've now got our visa and should be in Adelaide in June :-)

Thanks Soooty :-)

Woo hoo, nice wee surprise this morning... visa granted! My wife was referred on the 2nd April, she has high blood pressure but still managed to get a Category A medical. The referral only lasted 9 days :-)

My wife's grade A was referred yesterday :-(

Just got word that my wife's medical was referred, she's a nurse so we've asked for the priority to be raised (as was suggested earlier in this thread), will update here when we know more.... if anyone is interested

Our 457 visa application page now shows they've received everything, does anyone know how long we should expect to wait before hearing if my wife's medical is being referred? It was put through as a category A but we did mention on the visa application that she takes meds for high blood pressure

That does sound very positive, I'll update here once I know more

My wife takes medication for high blood pressure but yesterday her medical went really well and it's been put through as a category 'A'. Is that an indication that her medical probably won't be referred, or it'll still more than likely be referred? We'll probably find out in the next few days but if anyone can clarify it'd help to ease the frustration

Surely the 6 months only starts once you've been granted the visa? And you won't get the visa until the medical has been passed? Am I missing something here?

That's excellent news to hear. My wife's a nurse, medical this coming Friday, and I expect her medical to be referred due to high blood pressure. Employer also expecting her to start work soon. Thanks very much for the advice. Roy

If your employer is willing to sponsor you then you can apply for PR at any time during your time on the 457. From what I can make out, if you apply for PR before the 2 year mark then you need to do the skills assessment, but if you wait until after 2 years you can skip the skills assessment

Thanks for the advice

You need Healthcare for gaining PR from 457 status?

Hoping someone can advise me here. I've read lots of info on the requirement for health insurance on a 457 visa, however, our Case Officer has advised us that Travel Insurance will be enough to satisfy the 457 requirements. After being in Australia for 2 years our intention would be to apply for PR, so my question is this; when it comes time to apply for the PR is there a requirement that we've had Health Insurance during our time on a 457? Thanks

Better than free?