Canada2Australia

Okay, thanks. I've now been linked to my application and can see it for myself. Thanks! Cheers

G'day all: I've been told that my employer, who lodged my 457 a few weeks ago, has the ability to add my Immuaccount to the application so that I can see the status of my application as well. However, they are telling they don't know how to do it. Can someone share with me how this is done? You can PM me if you like; I just need to know what to tell them so that they can link my account up ASAP. Thanks!

Well, I'm not there yet, but I'm hoping to be by February as soon as my visa is granted. I'm 35, single and also looking to meet new people. Perhaps we can rally up a bunch to go for some cold ones when the time comes PS, I'm not a Pommy, but I am Canadian, the friendliest bunch of folks on the planet :cool:

Nice. I have Aussie-born cousins in the Mount Waverley and Cranbourne areas of Melly. They are my support system in the country; making my transition to life down under a lot easier and more reassuring.

Hmm, I didn't know that was an option. I will ask to see if that is possible. I'm currently on an 8 week holiday, and it would be nice to keep tabs on this myself. Thanks for the tip! Out of curiosity, were do you plan to set up shop in OZ? I'll be heading to Darwin myself.

Sweet. Since we are both from low-risk countries (I'm assuming you are from the UK ) then both of us should have fairly quick turnaround processing times. The crazy thing is that our offices in Australia are closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 7, and the HR person who lodged my application (and the only person who has access to checking on it's processing status) is on an additional weeks holiday, starting December 16, so that is 3 weeks that I'm left in limbo, wondering what the heck is going on; I'm likely going to drive myself insane during that time haha. Hopefully we both get the best Christmas gift ever!!!

I was wanting to move to the US, specifically Arizona, for the last few years. However, I've seen the progression of that country go down the pooper in so many regards that now I would never consider moving to that country; ever. I've turned down several job offers. Apparently they treat you like underpaid slaves there, and that is something I am not interested in whatsoever. I'll take Canada and/or Australia over the USA any day, thanks!

My company has lodge my 457 visa and nomination applications on November 26th, lodged in Sydney (I'm assuming, since that is where their corporate office is). They have already been approved as a sponsor long ago. I'm slated to start working in February, pending the grant of my visa. I'm praying that it will be granted prior to Christmas. Just curious to know if anyone else is on a similar situation as myself and what kinds of timelines you are experiencing.

I was told there were two ways my company could proceed with this; apply for a "new hire" 457 visa or an "internal transfer" 457 visa. Since I'm currently employed with the company, obviously they chose the "internal transfer" method. Just to clarify, are you saying that it would be okay for me to be employed in another country while still technically being employed with my company while waiting for an outcome decision on my visa applicaiton?

Thanks for the responses and advice. My company is surprisingly giving me a lot of freedom and are encouraging of my decisions. I just don't want to ruin any chances I have with a misunderstanding of what I can/can't do while waiting for the decision on my visa application.

Hello everyone: I am new to this forum so please excuse me if I seem ignorant in the way I am asking this question. My company is transferring me to our Darwin Office from Canada. My company lodged the 457 Visa and the Nomination application on November 26th but we still haven't heard anything regarding this yet. Part of the condition of this application is that since this is an "internal transfer" application, I must remain employed with the company until the visa is approved, then I can proceed to move to Australia. I'm currently being permitted to take 8 weeks off (I have 8 weeks worth of Vacation and banked time to use up anyways). Once those 8 weeks are up, I'm being told I will be given a leave of absence in order to remain employed with the company. They are doing this because they are predicting there will be next to no work waiting for me to come back to, so this way I don't have to quit and still keep all my benefits. Now, before I even got a transfer proposed to me and approved, I had been approved for a WHV in New Zealand, incase I decided to leave my position. So I was thinking, if by the time my holiday and banked time run out and my visa is still not approved, I would hope on over to NZ and hang out there for awhile, perhaps take up some work while I await for a verdict on my visa application. My query is this: can I work and/or travel in another country while I'm waiting for my Australian 457 visa to be approved? If anyone can help me figure this one out it would be much appreciate. Cheers

Awesome. I was afraid it might turn into a Sydney-type nightmare for me, but I've heard from a few others, including yourself now, that I should be more than okay, which gives me confidence that my finances will be okay Thanks BeckiBoo!

What country did you lodge it from?

Just saw this thread and thought I would share my current experience with my 457 application. My employer just lodged my nomination and visa applications on November 26th. My company has already been approved as a sponsor as they have brought many Poms to AU. When I took a holiday to Australia last winter, I stopped into our Perth office just to chat and introduce myself as a Canuck travelling across AU. We got to talking and it was suggested to me that I visit our Asia-Pacific office when I get to Sydney and meet with some key people to talk about potential employment. They were very intrigued with me as they had never sponsored a Canadian before; they said it would be a nice change from the usual Pommy onslaught of requests haha. Based on what I've been reading, it seems that it's only talking 2 to 4 weeks for approvals. And since I'm a well educated Canadian (from a low risk country) I'm hoping this will be a quick enough process so I can be able to fly out January 8th. Here is hoping! FYI, I had never heard of the term "Pommy" before until I traveled to Australia. We Canadians just call you guys Brits

I did do my research. That is the whole point of my comment; that taking everything into consideration, the Oz WHV has many more restrictions, is much more expensive to purchase and is more complicated to obtain. I made the comment based on the article that was posted that Oz is seeing a decrease in people applying for WHVs as opposed to countries like NZ and Canada. This is what I, as an outsider, perceive of your WHV based on it's current state. Irregardless, I'm getting a transfer to Oz with my company on a 457 Visa so I no longer have a need to obtain an Oz WHV to attempt to seek sponsorship employment.

Hmmm, I've asked around quite a bit and I've been told multiple times is that you cannot work the entire time you are on a Working Holiday Visa as that would be a breach of your visa condition. Perhaps they were mistaken. My point being is that many are saying the Australia WHV is becoming less and less attractive to international travelers while other countries are stepping up their games. Perhaps Oz should revisit their regulations and restrictions with their WHV to become more competitive with other countries.

No need to get so testy and defensive. I'm just making a point that it's getting a working holiday visa appears to be more appealing and less of a hassle for other countries than it is for Australia. I stand by my opinion.

Right, I just read the article and that change was only in the NT and came into effect only a few days ago. As for the 24 months, you can only start out with a twelve month WHV, and then have to apply for another one/extension only if you work in a certain area for a certain kind of employer. There are zero restrictions with the NZ WHV, and you get two years with one visa. It's so much better and easier to live a life in NZ on a WHV than in Oz, which makes it way more appealing.

Australia is a very difficult place for a young person to survive on a WHV. The numerous requirements, lengthy processing times and ridiculously high application fees make it less appealing then other countries. For instance, New Zealand is allowing Canadians up the the age of 35 to apply for a 23 month working holiday visa, and you are allowed to work for the entire term, full or part-time, even for the same employer for the whole time, if you so choose. The application fee is only $165 NZ ($137 CAD), plus, you pay less tax on your earnings than you would in Australia. Australia also only allows you to work for a maximum of 6 months; so you had better bring lots of $$$ is you wish to survive for one year in Oz. Canada is seeing an exponential increase in WHV visitors, especially from Europe and Asia. Good for our tourism and economy.

Hi again guys, I have another question for you. I'm aware that Darwin can be a very expensive place to live. My starting annual salary will be $85,000. As a single guy with no family who will be renting an apartment, I'm curious to know if locals think this is a comfortable salary to survive in Darwin. I won't be living in a palace so I'm gonna find a cheaper place to live, fully furnished. Any comments and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, and many thanks in advance!

Thanks guys. I'm thinking since I already have a flight booked to leave Australia for New Zealand as opposed to just a one-way ticket to Oz, that should satisfy any concerns at the border.

Hey guys, another question for you. My 457 is currently under review (I'm the guy who is getting transferred to Darwin with his company from Canada). Now I should say, before this move to Australia came to light, I had already planned to come down to the country with my cousin (she will be on her working holiday visa) for another visit. I have already bought my ticket to AU (on way) and then I was going to head to NZ on Feb 22 (already bought ticket and I have a NZ Working Holiday Visa just incase things don't work out here). I have yet to buy my ETA for Australia though for that flight. I'm just wondering if I can enter Australia on an ETA while my 457 is under review, or is that not permitted? Any help understanding this would be much appreciated. Cheers

Awesome. Thanks a bunch! I've been told that the rental market is softening, so it looks like I'll coming in at a great time! Can't wait to get there! Cheers,

Well, I'm not a Pommy; just a Canadian I'm being transferred with my company to our Darwin office in February and am very excited! I was in Darwin this past February and loved what I saw. I'm just looking for some info on reliable resources for rental units (preferably fully furnished). I'm also anxious to get involved in the community and meet locals. Any ideas on those kinds of options? Cheers, and I look forward to living in your fine city soon!