Girlfriend thinking of moving to Oz for a year, advice please. :)

[Pabby1980]

Hi all!

 

First post so forgive me if i make a few mistakes. Very new to the whole Australia scene!

 

My other half (girlfriend) is a junior Dr. of medicine, currently working in the UK. She would like to spend a year working in Australia (most likely Adelaide) to give her a good bit of life and work experience, which i think is a great idea.

 

She is 25, i'm 36, and we've been together for 6 years. We can't really afford to get married at present as she has grand plans for the wedding (not to mention the engagement ring!) but it is inevitable that we will.

 

I currently work as a self employed project manager for luxury home builds. I'm not well off by any stretch, but i have the ability to save money if necessary.

 

With all that in mind, my question basically revolves around how i should progress in terms of spending the year with her (or part of it). I am too old now for a Working Holiday Visa, and i'm not qualified enough for a working visa on my own merits (i have no university degree, only A-Levels).

 

I have a project that will run until the end of 2017 and is likely to mean i can only spend the latter part of the year with her, probably 8 months rather than 12. I can likely save in the region of £10,000 to support myself whilst i'm there.

 

Should i just apply for a holiday visa? Will this be OK to spend 8 months in Oz? What other things should i consider.

 

I mention our marital status because it has been discussed that we just get married (registry office) before she goes (August 2017 if her application is successful) to solve any issues i may have in going with her....but is this really necessary?

 

To be honest i've been grafting now for a while and would relish the chance of having the excuse of not being able to work! Haha! Although maybe doing a few hours a night in a bar would be a good way to meet people and would be a welcome change to the type of work i do in the UK. If working isn't possible though i'll just have to accept that.

 

Any and all advice welcome as to the best way for us to proceed, and thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to post.

 

Cheers.

 

Paul. :wink:

[Bungo]

Is she going on a working holiday visa? If so, I can't really see any options for you other than the holiday visa and Australia does grant them for extended trips so you should be ok. I also can't think of any reason why you being married would make any difference one way or the other. You will not be able to work, not even bar work on a tourist visa.

 

If whilst she is there she can secure an employer sponsorship, then you could potentially go on that visa application and then you would get a visa with work rights.

[Guest]

What visa is she applying for?

[Pabby1980]

Full working visa i think ^^

 

 

If whilst she is there she can secure an employer sponsorship, then you could potentially go on that visa application and then you would get a visa with work rights.

 

This is something i'll have to look into. It's the first i've heard of this type of thing so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

[Guest]

A full working visa doesn't help much I'm afraid.

 

There are visa numbers. Depending on what visa type she is applying for this will vary.

 

A WHV is 417. Is this the one she is looking at? If so, then nope, only a tourist visa open to you I would think.

[Pabby1980]

A full working visa doesn't help much I'm afraid.

 

There are visa numbers. Depending on what visa type she is applying for this will vary.

 

A WHV is 417. Is this the one she is looking at? If so, then nope, only a tourist visa open to you I would think.

 

I'll ask her and post when she tells me but i'm not 100% sure even she will know at this stage.

 

I was under the impression the a WHV only allowed work in one particular place for up to 6 months, so if that's the case i doubt she will be applying for that.

 

Just Googled it -

 

[h=2]Visa[/h]Once registration with the MBA has been approved in principle, your agent will lodge a visa nomination and you can apply for an employer sponsored worker’s visa (e457) ($A1035; [Link] ).[7]You will be given a transaction reference number which can be used to arrange a compulsory health examination (£300-£400).[8] Travel arrangements can be made after approval of the visa application.

 

So it looks like it's an e457 visa she will be applying for.

[Pabby1980]

A full working visa doesn't help much I'm afraid.

 

There are visa numbers. Depending on what visa type she is applying for this will vary.

 

A WHV is 417. Is this the one she is looking at? If so, then nope, only a tourist visa open to you I would think.

 

Sorry if this is a double post but the last one seems to have gotten lost!

 

It will be an employer sponsored visa e457 she will apply for.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Pabby1980

[Guest]

Look in to seeing if you can go on her visa perhaps?

[Guest]

[h=3]Inclu​ding family in your application[/h]You can include the following people in your visa application at the time of lodgement:

 

 

• your partner (married or de facto)
• your or your partner’s dependent children
  
• other dependent relatives.
  

 

​​These family members must meet the requirements for including family members in your application. The application must include documentary evidence of their relationship to you.​

Your family members must be able to show that they meet health and characterrequirements.​

They must also be able to show they have the same lev​​els of financial support and health insurance as you.

Your sponsor must agree in writing to include them as secondary sponsored persons. They can do this by including the details of your family members in the nomination application, or by providing this information in a letter to be attached to your visa application.

[Pabby1980]

Thanks a lot for this mate, it's really helpful!

 

Cheers.

[evets]

Has she found an employer to sponsor her, as she cannot apply for a 457 visa without an employer who has a role lined up for her. And if she is only thinking one year, best not to let any employer know that as the costs of the visa would outweigh any benefits.

 

Her best bet is a Working Holiday Visa and would allow her some freedom to travel and work in other cities around Australia.

 

For you, if you have the funds. If you are planning on spending 8 months or so in Australia, you would need to budget short trips to say NZ and back to revalidate your tourism visa in Australia.

[Pabby1980]

Has she found an employer to sponsor her, as she cannot apply for a 457 visa without an employer who has a role lined up for her. And if she is only thinking one year, best not to let any employer know that as the costs of the visa would outweigh any benefits.

 

Her best bet is a Working Holiday Visa and would allow her some freedom to travel and work in other cities around Australia.

 

For you, if you have the funds. If you are planning on spending 8 months or so in Australia, you would need to budget short trips to say NZ and back to revalidate your tourism visa in Australia.

 

She will have a job lined up before she goes. It's a very official process for doctors as they must remain in constant employement for their credentials to remain valid. Simply searching for a job when she gets over there is not an option.

 

The process also requires the agent to lodge a visa nomination at which point she will be required to apply for the sponsored working visa e457.

 

The main issue here is what i will do so that i can stay with her, as mentioned her process is very regimented. Mine not so much.

 

IO think a couple of trips to NZ would actually be quite nice, so if that's what i have to do then so be it, but i'll look into snifters information above also as it may be that i can avoid that eventuality.

 

Thanks for your reply

 

Cheers

Edited September 7, 2016 by Pabby1980

[evets]

She will have a job lined up before she goes. It's a very official process for doctors as they must remain in constant employement for their credentials to remain valid. Simply searching for a job when she gets over there is not an option.

 

The process also requires the agent to lodge a visa nomination at which point she will be required to apply for the sponsored working visa e457.

 

The main issue here is what i will do so that i can stay with her, as mentioned her process is very regimented. Mine not so much.

 

IO think a couple of trips to NZ would actually be quite nice, so if that's what i have to do then so be it, but i'll look into snifters information above also as it may be that i can avoid that eventuality.

 

Thanks for your reply

 

Cheers

 

Ah ok, handy that. If she has an employer sponsoring her, then you can be part of that application. The requirements for you will not be as stringent as they will base the decision on the main applicant ie your partner. It also means, good for you, that you will not be tied to a specific employer for work and also not have to rely on a tourist visa.

[Bungo]

Full working visa i think ^^

 

 

 

This is something i'll have to look into. It's the first i've heard of this type of thing so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

 

 

Well I was referring to the 457 visa you have since mentioned! It is very straightforward in that case, she just puts you on the application, assuming you are a defacto couple (living together) and not just dating.

[Guest]

Yes, a 457 visa can include a de-facto partner - you don't need to have any skills at all but you then have full working rights in Australia - so you don't get to be a surf bum after all - tough

 

You will need to check you meet the requirements of being de-facto and even living together isn't sufficient as 'flat mates' live together, although that's the starting point. I am sure if you are living together and you have been together 6 years you will have plenty of evidence though.

[Pabby1980]

Well I was referring to the 457 visa you have since mentioned! It is very straightforward in that case, she just puts you on the application, assuming you are a defacto couple (living together) and not just dating.

 

Actually we don't live together at present, but will be for the next 12 months until we go to Oz, however, proving our relationship shouldn't be an issue at all. I don't really like my picture being taken (strange i know) but we have loads of other documentation proving how long we've been together, including bank statements with transfers going back to 2011, joint travel tickets, even Turkish visa applications that were applied for together in 2014, so i'm sure the lack of photos won't be a major issue.

 

I do have a few pictures that her parents took of us (begrudgingly on my part) at her graduation which was in 2015, so two years prior to the application.

 

Anyway, i'm rambling....the long and short of it is should i want to apply with her on the e457 there shouldn't be much of an issue there.

 

The point of my post is that i've just come across another visa called the e600 Visitor Visa Long Stay.

 

It's a 12 month holiday visda that doesn't allow for working in Oz.

 

I suppose the long and short of it is whether or not i want to work when i'm out there. If not, going through all the rigmarole of interviews and providing documentation etc etc etc may be unnecessary, i can just apply for an e600 instead.

 

Interestingly though it does require a chest x-ray! I'm pretty sure that this is to check for TB.

 

Does all of this sound correct? It's actually quite a complicated subject this one!

 

Cheers.

[Guest]

Sounds about right.

 

TBH I'd go on the 457 if I could, but that is me. You never know where you may end up living as it will be dependant on your partners job and it could be you'll be bored senseless not working or being able to work for an extended period of time and will want to do something work wise perhaps. If the sponsor is happy to pick up the tab to include you, go on it. Your GF could also end up loving it and wanting to stay longer and so it gives you both options. It would be a hassle to try to add you to the visa afterwards.

[Pabby1980]

Sounds about right.

 

TBH I'd go on the 457 if I could, but that is me. You never know where you may end up living as it will be dependant on your partners job and it could be you'll be bored senseless not working or being able to work for an extended period of time and will want to do something work wise perhaps. If the sponsor is happy to pick up the tab to include you, go on it. Your GF could also end up loving it and wanting to stay longer and so it gives you both options. It would be a hassle to try to add you to the visa afterwards.

 

Good point. I suppose it's a bit more hassle in the short term but probably worth it in the long run, as you say it gives me more options.

[Guest]

Good point. I suppose it's a bit more hassle in the short term but probably worth it in the long run, as you say it gives me more options.

 

I don't recall being included on my OH's 457 visa as any hassle and his employer paid for everything, including our shipping, flights and temporary accommodation - not sure Dr.'s get treated so generously though! They would definitely have to pay your flights home though

[srh82]

Have you thought of a scenario where your girlfriend really likes Australia and decides she wants to stay?

 

I mean, 1 year isn't a particularly long period of time to commit to a single employer if they are paying for your visa, is it?

 

If I were you, I would make damn sure you get on the visa with your girlfriend so you have working rights. Just so you are covered in case one year turns into a few more years. Chilling for 8 months with £10k in your pocket might sound fun but you'll get bored quickly and you'll burn through that money very quickly.

[Nemesis]

Good point. I suppose it's a bit more hassle in the short term but probably worth it in the long run, as you say it gives me more options.

No interview, no need for a medical (unless you plan on working in a hospital or school) and no need to worry about a tourist visa exiring before your OH is ready to leave.

[Bungo]

Actually we don't live together at present, but will be for the next 12 months until we go to Oz, however, proving our relationship shouldn't be an issue at all. I don't really like my picture being taken (strange i know) but we have loads of other documentation proving how long we've been together, including bank statements with transfers going back to 2011, joint travel tickets, even Turkish visa applications that were applied for together in 2014, so i'm sure the lack of photos won't be a major issue.

 

I do have a few pictures that her parents took of us (begrudgingly on my part) at her graduation which was in 2015, so two years prior to the application.

 

Anyway, i'm rambling....the long and short of it is should i want to apply with her on the e457 there shouldn't be much of an issue there.

 

The point of my post is that i've just come across another visa called the e600 Visitor Visa Long Stay.

 

It's a 12 month holiday visda that doesn't allow for working in Oz.

 

I suppose the long and short of it is whether or not i want to work when i'm out there. If not, going through all the rigmarole of interviews and providing documentation etc etc etc may be unnecessary, i can just apply for an e600 instead.

 

Interestingly though it does require a chest x-ray! I'm pretty sure that this is to check for TB.

 

Does all of this sound correct? It's actually quite a complicated subject this one!

 

Cheers.

 

A heap of photos is not that useful anyway so wouldnt worry about it, travel tickets are a bit weak as well although these things are fine to support an application they should not be used to hinge the applciation on. The strongest evidence you can get is proof of joint address, so from now until you apply focus on that, perhaps think about joint bank account as well (it isn't essential but it is example of strong evidence).

[skippy79]

sorry to bust your bubble pabby, but I'm pretty sure she'll only be able to get a whv at this point of time, and on a whv you won't be able to join her on her visa. your best bet would be for a holiday visa

[Bungo]

sorry to bust your bubble pabby, but I'm pretty sure she'll only be able to get a whv at this point of time, and on a whv you won't be able to join her on her visa. your best bet would be for a holiday visa

 

OP has never sounded like he was in a bubble and was more than happy to come on a tourist visa if need be.

 

So not really sure where you are coming from. Why do you think she would only be able to get a WHV?

[skippy79]

for some reason I never saw the second page, so didn't get the bit about being sponsored.. ignore my first post then