which visa 175 or 176?.......

[Tafflass]

Hi,

 

This is my 1st post on PIO although I have found reading other threads very helpful. Im looking for some advice.

 

I am currently in Oz on a WHV with my husband and we've decided we'd like to apply for a PR visa. I currently have 115 points towards the 175 visa, although this could be increased to 120 if my hubby completes a skills assessment.

 

Ive recently been considering going for the 176 visa as Im pretty sure my occupation (nurse) will be on the SMP and therefore would be processed as a priority 2, but as yet I cant apply to WA as their online applications has been suspended.

 

My concern is that there are so many people waiting for the SMP to be released, that by the time I apply for & gain SS and then apply for the 176 visa, that the 23,000 allocated visas for 2010/11 will have gone.

 

I am best off going for the 175 visa after all?

 

Any help appreciated

 

Nerys x

[melbournegirlinny]

Even quicker and easier, since you are onshore, would be to get an employer sponsored visa. Nurses are in high demand so you are one of the lucky ones and what is more you are already there in Australia. Try to get a permanent residency 121/856 ENS visa. Go to some nursing recruitment agencies. This would be much easier and quicker I think than waiting for the SMPs and doing a skills assessment for your husband to get a 175 visa.

[Tafflass]

Hi melbournegirlinny

 

Thanks for your reply, I hadnt even considered the ENS visa...just looking into it on the Immi website now. Just out of interest do you know if I would be obligated to continue working for the employer for a certain period of time once the visa has been granted. At the moment I work for a nursing agency on a casual basis, but I would be looking for a more permanent job in which I could progress.

 

Thanks

Nerys x

[Tafflass]

Hmmmm having looked into the ENS visa, it seems that I wont be able to apply for it as it states that I need to have "spent the last 12months working for ENS sponsor" (impossible as on the WHV I can only work for each employer for 6 months), also I need "3 years post-qualification work experience" (Ive only been qualified 2 years).

 

So it seems its back to the drawing board....thanks for your advice tho melbournegirlinny, just wish I'd been eligible

[Guest AustrAnglian]

Hi Tafflass. Do your 115 points include having an IELTS result? You can gain an extra 10 points for proving a higher level of English (Proficient English scores 25 points v 15 points for Competent English) see link:

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

 

The 176 offshore sponsored visas for applicants on the SMP have a published waiting time of around 12 months, so even if you applied immediately you'd be considered for grant during the 2011-2012 programme year, so there will be a whole new fresh quota after the known 23000 for this year are spoken for. All the best.

[Guest Susan Wareham McGrath]

Hmmmm having looked into the ENS visa, it seems that I wont be able to apply for it as it states that I need to have "spent the last 12months working for ENS sponsor" (impossible as on the WHV I can only work for each employer for 6 months), also I need "3 years post-qualification work experience" (Ive only been qualified 2 years).

 

So it seems its back to the drawing board....thanks for your advice tho melbournegirlinny, just wish I'd been eligible

Hi Tafflass

 

Instead of an 856, you could look at a subclass 457 sponsored visa as a pathway to PR. Here's a link to DIAC's information about subclass 457s. Temporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457)

 

Current processing time is around 4 - 5 months, although we had one approved in less than a week recently.

 

Best regards

Susan

[Tafflass]

Hi Tafflass. Do your 115 points include having an IELTS result? You can gain an extra 10 points for proving a higher level of English (Proficient English scores 25 points v 15 points for Competent English) see link:

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

 

The 176 offshore sponsored visas for applicants on the SMP have a published waiting time of around 12 months, so even if you applied immediately you'd be considered for grant during the 2011-2012 programme year, so there will be a whole new fresh quota after the known 23000 for this year are spoken for. All the best.

 

Hi AustrAnglian,

 

Unfortunately my 115 points do include my IELTS result

:sad:

Thanks for the info about waiting times for 176, I was under the impression that cat 2 were quicker. It may be worth me applying for the 175 if there's likely to be a wait either way...then at least we wont be tied to a particular state for 2 years.

All the best to you too

[Tafflass]

Instead of an 856, you could look at a subclass 457 sponsored visa as a pathway to PR. Here's a link to DIAC's information about subclass 457s. Temporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457)

 

Current processing time is around 4 - 5 months, although we had one approved in less than a week recently.

 

Hmmm, 4-5months is tempting, then we wouldnt have to leave in May when our WHV expires.

Thanks x

[melbournegirlinny]

Hmmmm having looked into the ENS visa, it seems that I wont be able to apply for it as it states that I need to have "spent the last 12months working for ENS sponsor" (impossible as on the WHV I can only work for each employer for 6 months), also I need "3 years post-qualification work experience" (Ive only been qualified 2 years).

 

So it seems its back to the drawing board....thanks for your advice tho melbournegirlinny, just wish I'd been eligible

 

 

Susan is right. Since you don't have the 3 years' experience you could fairly easily, I think, get a nursing job on a 457 visa and then once you get your experience you can apply for the 121/856 ENS visa.

 

By the way, you do not need to have worked for the employer who will sponsor you on a 121/856 visa for 12 months etc...That is just one alternative --the one you'd be using, is to get your skills assessed. You either must have a skills assessment, be paid a high salary or have worked on say the 457 visa for 2 yrs prior to applying for the 121 visa.

 

You can also apply for an exception to the skills experience requirement of 3 yrs but this would need DIAC to find that the skills are so highly specialised they cannot find someone else with 3 years' experience.

 

Another idea, is to go for a similar PR visa but a regional one. This is the 119/857 visa which requires you to work for an employer in a regional area for 2 years. I don't know what area of Australia you are wanting to live in but you could consider this. It does tie you though to that employer in that regional area for 2 yrs but it does also give PR from the beginning.

 

Going to a nursing agency and finding a job with a 457 visa sponsor should be very easy. But note that the 457 visa is a bit risky as if you hate the job or they fire you one must find another job within 28 days or leave the country.