Visitors Visa Question

[djsle]

Hi Everyone, My/Our first post here. I am a pom living in NZ with NZ citizenship, my wife also a pom living in NZ with an NZ Resident Visa, NOT permanent, we are 66 & 68 respectively, we would like to retire in Oz but don't have the capital required and my wife has a long time before she can get citizenship here. So 2 questions, first, the e600 visitors visa, with that could my wife stay for 12 months straight, or would she have to leave and return every 3 months? Secondly I may have a job to go to in Oz and they may be willing to sponsor me, would that mean my wife as well?

Or is there any other way we could get to settle there? ( OOps, that's 3 questions!:) Thank you all.

[Collie]

Hey mate,

I think you're best bet is to talk to a migration agent to work out your options and the consequences of these options

When you say sponsor, do you mean a 457 visa or sponsor for PR?  Have either of you any family living in Australia as citizens/PR?

Given your ages, I think PR will be difficult (but may be wrong).  If you can get a 457 (2-4 years depending on the list), your wife can be included but it is a temporary visa with no rights to PR.  When the job finishes, you are obliged to find another sponsor or leave the country.

 

 

[djsle]

Hi Collie,

I think I mean 457 visa. No family in Oz. We don't expect it to be easy, but forever hopefull. Do you know the answer regarding the e600 visa I mentioned before?

Thanks for your reply

[Collie]

Sorry - not familar with the e600.

The 457 visa is a temporary visa designed to temporarily fill skills gaps in the economy.  At the end of the visa you are expected to leave the country.  They changed the rules on it recently and occupations are now on a 2 year and 4 year list.  Have a look through the threads, it will have been well covered.

AFAIK - Yes your spouse can come on it and work.  You are tied to the employer (which causes it's own issues if you don't like them - they have you by the short & curlies)

But the big take away is that it is a temporary visa and when the job finishes, you will need to leave.  There is not a pathway to retire to Australia based on this visa.

Look, it 's worth spending some money with an agent to examine your options for what you want.

I'm no expert but I think the best option for you will be via being NZ citizens and the reciprocal arrangements between Australia and NZ, I know that they have tightened them up in recent years but not familiar with the details.

Edited August 7, 2017 by Collie

[djsle]

OK Collie,

Much appreciated, Thanks.

[MaggieMay24]

If you have NZ citizenship, you can simply fly to Australia and settle.  You'll be granted a 444 visa as you clear passport control and this allows you to work, apply for Medicare, etc (no Centrelink benefits though).  Your wife would need to look at other options - perhaps look at the 461 visa which would let her live up to 5 years in Australia.  The 461 can be renewed as many times as needed.  I don't think it gives her any government support or other benefits but as a British citizen she would be eligible for reciprocal Medicare.  On a 461 she would also have full work rights.

[djsle]

Hi Maggie, Thank you so much for the post. We have had a look on the OZ Govt Immigration site and it looks as though you are correct, so I suppose my Wife would go on a 12 month visitors visa, e600 then apply from oz?