Tara26

Hmm I'm thinking more and more that I may well do this myself. I don't need a skills assessment either and have no children or criminal record. My gut feeling is because iv already done everything by the book and I'm fortunate enough to be in the situation I am that I should do this myself and save the cash. My friend just got her citizenship and did the whole temporary-permanent-citizen herself, she said it was a big headache and would never like to have to do it again but nevertheless she did it and came out the other side. Its just one of those things isn't it. My boss has sponsored someone before but it was years ago and I think things were a tad easier back then. Thank you so much for your responses, it's really helping me.

Hi maggie may, thanks for your reply. I was just wondering how you found the whole process applying for the 186? Fortunately my circumstances are pretty straight forward as iv already been living in Australia on a 461 (New Zealand family sponsor) and have been working for my boss for 3 years now. Obviously agents can can be expensive and I would much rather not have to use one but given this is for permanent residency I think I may have to. Did you use an agent for yours? Warm regards

I'm legible for permanent residency this July through my skill. However there may be a couple of other options with the same outcome but I would like to talk to an agent to clear any questions up. Apparently you can pay to sit with an immigration agent to discuss your options and see which is the best for you. Has anyone done this? And if so can you recommend any reliable ones? I want to get the ball rolling early and prepare well. I live in Sydney. Thank you for your help Tara

Yes that's right thank you for that. It looks like because I'm on a 461 and not on a 457 I do need 3 years and a skills assessment. That's ok though I'm only 9months away from application time now. And yes I really can't see my boss allowing me to see his application. It's a bit of a pain too though because I was going to obtain the information from him manually and do his online application for him as he's so busy all the time so it's looking more and more likely I'm getting an agent at this point.

Hey, no I'm not on a 475 visa but I am on a 461 and basically puts me in the same bracket. As it's a 5 year working visa and I have been working for my boss for over 2 years now. However due to the Gillard government I now need 3 years work experience instead of 2. Otherwise I would have been eligible for sponsorship now. I now have to wait until July 2014. Being on a 461 exempts me from a skills assessment because I would have already been working for 3 years. wow 3K, so that was just for the agents services? Obviously the actual visa charges were on top of that? Good job iv been saving!

Thank you for your reply. How much roughly did your agent end up costing you? I thinking it was definitely worth the money?

I am currently on a 5 yr subclass 461 (New Zealand family sponsorship visa) with my kiwi partner. I am a fully qualified vehicle painter and have been working for my Australian employer for over 2 years now. I only have 2 years experience in the trade so have to wait until July 2014 until I'm eligible for sponsorship. I'm really nervous about doing this visa even though I have done everything by the book. To gain permanent residency and go on to become an Australian citizen means so much to me. Has anyone done this visa successfully and what visa did you transition from? Also do you recommend using an agent for this visa? As it's for permanent residency and may be a bit more complex than a temporary visa.