Long time 457 now for PR

jrhslick · #1 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 09:36 AM

My wife and I need suggestions.
We (I ) have worked a large computer manufacturer in sales for 20 years with more that 14 in a sales consultant capacity. An option became available for me to make a role change (leave sales and become part of the training organization) and I accepted this promotion. since that happened, I had to acquire an up to dated 457 befitting the new promotion. But now immigration tells me I have to be in that role for 3 years before being considered for PR then Citizenship. Trouble is we have 6 years invested and are both edging on to 60 years of age and have been here on 457 visa for almost 6 years. With these facts and the changes in legislation in July, shall we pack it in and go back to America? I do not see the Australian government throwing away 50-60K AU away in tax revenue! (but they have done more stupid things.) We really want to become Aussie citizens and are open to all suggestions.,
Oh, we are also RSL Subbranch members having fought aside of the Australian forces in the likes of VietNam and during Desert Storm.
Frustrated and losing hope.
John

twostep · #2 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 11:48 AM

I moved your thread as your questions pertain to Australia.

_shel · #3 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 03:24 PM

Immigration gave you that information? You can apply for PR when you want just as soon as you qualify and if employer sponsored as soon as they agree. You could have applied as soon as you got to Australia or even before if you qualified.

You say 3 years are you sure they said 3 and not 2? There is confusion that you have to wait 2yrs to be eligible but that's not true. If you wait 2yrs you can apply without a skills assessment. That would apply to you as its a new visa/role.

BUT if you can pass a skills assessment you can apply just as soon as you have it. Is your employer willing to sponsor?

War and tax dollars have nothing to do with migration which is a business in itself.

jrhslick · #4 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the response. Our immigration contact (thru the company that my employer uses) gave us that information. We had to wait 3 years for the company to sponser us. Now that they will, we/they are unsure how to proceed due to my job and VISA change just last year. Then the immigration legislation changes happening next month may also be an issue.
So you are saying that I can apply for a skills assessment immediately for my PR? or wait a year and the skill assessment will not be necessary. The biggest issue is that I am 58 years old and am afraid that my age will be a hinderance to PR.

_shel · #5 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 06:41 PM

No what it sounds like to me is the company you work for wont sponsor you for 3 years. And they are quite within their rights to do that unless you have something in your contract that says otherwise?

If they agree to sponsor you you wouldnt need to do the skills assessment and can get an age exemption. But not the case if applying independently 58 if pretty much a bar to independent PR. I would be pushing your manager as to why they wont sponsor because if they wont it is likely you'll be heading back to the US.

Skillselect

jrhslick · #6 (**permalink**) 18th June 2012, 12:16 AM

Thanks Shel,
Yea, it is the time in title thing. We should be able to apply without a skills assessment in another year. We can hang in there that long (I think)! Besides they have told me if we are there and need to update the 457, they have no issues doing that. It is just that we want to be more settled, buy property, etc. It is more difficult doing that under a 457 than PR...