Winstonsmith

Thanks again for everybody's opinions. I've drawn up the pros and cons list and it has helped but I must admit I hadn't taken into account the potential for having to work beyond the visa being granted. My manager is definitely the type to try and seek 'revenege' against me should I quit as soon as the PR visa were to be granted. However that aside, I'm also worried he will try and lock me into some sort of new contract i.e. a min 12 or 24 months etc before he agrees to sponsor me. The lists of cons is definitely outweighing the pros at the moment. The excellent quality of life here and the fact that I'm happy outside of work doesn't help make the decision easy though. I'm 29 though so figure if I do leave and come to the realisation that I've made a terrible mistake and Australia is indeed the Utopian promised land then I can always find a way back in should I wish. On that note I may even be able to come back to the same employer if I manage to leave on good terms. Does anybody know whether this time would count towards the 2 years should I come back working for the same employer, in the same position but on a new visa?

Thanks for that Verystormy. Was it six months from submitting the paperwork? Were there any delays with your application or was it straight forward and the 6months was sheer processing time? The cost for my employer under the transition scheme is only $540. My application is the pricey part at $3520. In all honestly FNS, I think it would be highly unlikely that I would be able to find somebody due to the vague nature of my work.

Further can anybody possibly shed some light on how long it would take to process an application? Are we talking weeks as with the 457 or does PR take considerably longer? This interests me as obviously I'd have to still be working through this period and I'm unable to find any answers on other PIO threads.

I'll try again it's January 2015

Thank you for your replies people. Sorry I did mean to say January 2014. I have called DIAC and the gentlemen advised me that should I be granted the PR there would be no legal reason why I couldn't quit straight away however I would have to check the conditions mentioned on my employment contract. What worries me is if prior to applying for PR, my boss tries to renegotiate my contract based on a 2 year period or something like that, which will then leave me with no choice but resign and leave the country. Unfortunately I do not meet the skill requirements for the 186 Visa so my only option for PR is the transition stream. It is also 'incredibly' unlikely I would be able to find another sponsor due to the specific nature of my job. Peccavi you're the second person whom I've discussed this with that stated their time here was 'wasted' in one way or another, which is something that troubles me. I currently feel like Australia is not the place I want to raise my children, buy a house or die but then I believe my judgement is clouded by my current work life. In support of sticking it out, I have fear of an unsuccessful return to the UK after being away for 5 years i.e. no job opportunities, trouble re-adjusting to the crap weather etc etc. I also can't stop thinking 'I'd be stupid to give up the chance of PR'. I'm not sure if this is the Australian Utopia belief of some people affecting my decision or just general nervousness of failing in the UK, but those age old questions about job opportunities, weather and so on are constantly in my mind. Thanks again for your time people, it is much appreciated. Stan

Hello everybody, I'm currently on my 457 Visa with a 2 year date (with the same employer) of January 2014 before I can apply for the 186 Transitional Stream for permanent residency, which is something I would really like to achieve seeing how far I've made it. My boss has said he would help me with sponsorship with the implied condition that I continue to work for them. Unfortunately that 13 month target seems an impossible goal, let alone the time it takes to apply etc. This is due to the fact that I'm incredibly miserable at work and therefore also in general. In my 12 year working life, I've never worked with such horrid people and worst part is an absolutely intolerable boss. The same boss who will decide on whether the company sponsor me for PR. This is all a new experience for me and It's giving me serious doubts about whether putting up with it for PR is worth it. However I feel as if I would be an idiot to give up the chance to get PR, even if I should not use it in the future. This situation is making me seriously consider whether I have a future in Australia at all. I know that my work life is the biggest factor in my dissatisfaction with my happiness here, but I can't help but fear that 'suffering' through the next 12months+ the application time is worth the end result. My questions to anybody who can possibly offer any advice on the situation are as follows: Assuming I submit my application ASAP roughly how long would it take for the visa to be granted? If I were to be granted PR and then quit my job, would my manager have any power to cause problems for me? Is this unhappiness and uncertainty worth it for the PR that I may not even use, considering my plan after getting PR would be to travel before trying a return to the after being away for over 5 years? Sorry to be so vague everybody, I know there are many out there who have similar feelings and that only I can make these decisions, but I really would appreciate any input, advice or to hear peoples experiences who have been in the same situation etc. Happy Christmas everybody and thanks in advance, Stan