Jezz66

Thanks Raul. At the moment, our plan is to move back to Thailand in 2022. We have a house there and it won't surprise anyone to know that property over there is a lot cheaper than Melbourne. We were always planning to stay in Oz for 7 years, so this is working out as we wanted.

An update on this. My current employer was happy to sponsor a new 482 visa application. This proved to be quite a lengthy exercise since we had to obtain police clearance certificates from Australia, UK and Thailand (where we lived previously). There was also the small matter of a 2 hour health check at the BUPA centre. However, once all that was sorted our new visa went through in 2 weeks and was granted on 1 August. We are here until 2022, when we will be happy to move on. The police clearance process was a minor pain, and would have been very difficult in Thailand if we hadn't gone back for a visit in April. The health check also cost $600 in total and that was an out of pocket expense. But in the end, it went very smoothly, and I would admit to feeling fortunate that my employer was prepared to cough up the visa cost. Anyway, we're very happy to be here for another 4 years .

St Kilda's not a dangerous place. Worst you'll get is a some heckling from someone looking for spare change. We stayed there for a year when we came over, and the advantage is that it launches you into the scene as there's so much going on, and it's very easy to get to the CBD. I think for the first year you are a glorified tourist and you want to go out and do or see things. St Kilda gives you all that and more. Obviously it is over-priced, but you're getting ready access to so much. The compromise is the size of apartment compared with other areas. Admittedly, after one year we'd had enough and moved to a quiet suburb, but for that first year everything is a novelty, and it's worth taking in. We got tired of the druggies, but not much hassle, so not for one minute would I put you off.

Absolutely enjoyed it and hoping we'll stay a bit longer. Will admit that I didn't factor in the 50 year age limit for PR when we first moved (that's my oversight), but the process was easy thanks to my employer's sponsorship and looking after the applications.

Thanks for the response guys !

I came to Australia in 2015 on a 457 visa, so it will expire in 2019. I'm too old to apply for PR as I am now 51 years old. However, myself and the wife would like to stay a bit longer if we can. I believe there are exceptions, e.g. salary level, but I would not qualify on that score. I have checked my job title, and it is still listed on the medium to long term occupation list. I have every reason to believe that my employer would sponsor me as I've worked for them for nearly 10 years and they sponsored my transfer to Australia in the first place. I am assuming that the new TSS visa fees (from March 2018) will apply regardless of whether already resident in Australia (on a 457) or applying outside the country, e.g. for a joint application with my wife for a new 4 year visa, then it would cost about $5k to apply and my employer would have to pay about a $7k levy, so that's a total of $12k. Age does not appear to be an issue, but obviously this is a hefty amount to part with (including for my employer) if the chances of success are slim. I guess what I'd like to prepare for over the next year is whether just to enjoy my remaining time here before going back to the UK, or go for it. On this last question, perhaps no one can answer. I may have answered my own query above, but would really appreciate any advice on transitioning. Questionable wisdom moving here at such an advanced age, but I've really enjoyed the lifestyle, even if it was only for a while.