Need visa advice!

[ThinkingOfMoving]

I'm new to this forum, and while I've seen a few posts on work visas, I have a few questions...

I am American, and I may start working for an Australian company in January 2008. Based on my research, it looks like the only option for me is the temporary business employer-sponsored visa (the 457). Can anyone tell me how long it took their application to get approved? Also, how strict are they with answers on the application? For example, I saw on the Australian immigration site that they may want the employer to prove that they couldn't get an Australian to do the job... It looks like things with the job won't be finalized for another month, so I'm wondering if it's even feasible to obtain a visa before January. Also, would my part of the application be so difficult that I would need to hire/consult an agent?

Thanks in advance!

[tygwyn]

Hi

Welcome to EF.

We moved over to Oz from the UK 18 months ago on a 457 Visa - its one of the quickest Visas to get, although I have heard lately that there is a bit of a backlog? Ours only took 6 weeks to come through I think. The company we came across with had sponsored many many before us so were already given the ok to sponsor so I'm not sure about the 2nd part.

If you've got any more questions feel free to ask - although for some reason I'm not getting notifications coming through via email of replies? I'll keep checking the board as often as I remember and help out where I can.

Take care

Rach xxxx

[michelle.ritchie]

Originally Posted by ThinkingOfMoving

I'm new to this forum, and while I've seen a few posts on work visas, I have a few questions...

I am American, and I may start working for an Australian company in January 2008. Based on my research, it looks like the only option for me is the temporary business employer-sponsored visa (the 457). Can anyone tell me how long it took their application to get approved? Also, how strict are they with answers on the application? For example, I saw on the Australian immigration site that they may want the employer to prove that they couldn't get an Australian to do the job... It looks like things with the job won't be finalized for another month, so I'm wondering if it's even feasible to obtain a visa before January. Also, would my part of the application be so difficult that I would need to hire/consult an agent?

Thanks in advance!

just wondered how you guys are getting on, if you need any help over here, we live in gold coast so give us a shout!

[ThinkingOfMoving]

Thank you! I'm still in the States, trying to move forward with the job. I got the offer, and it looks like the start date may be pushed back to late February now. The Australian employer needs to submit his part of the visa application, and then I'll submit mine. I'm hoping my process will be as short as some people's on this forum!