US Expat seeking PR in Australia

[prinoz]

Greetings -

I have resided in Sydney for almost 5 years under a 457 Visa (in the process of renewing the 457). My employer sponsors me.

I would like to apply for permanent residency - and meet all requirements except one. I have MS.

Does anyone know of any other process or way to get PR working around the medical requirement?

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Anna

[kaz101]

Hi Anna,

Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by prinoz

Does anyone know of any other process or way to get PR working around the medical requirement?

I have to ask - why do you need to get around the medical requirement?

Regards,
Karen

[amaslam]

If you are functioning OK and keep the MS under control then I think you should be fine with medicals. Ask if your employer will sponsor you for a 856 PR visa (it's onshore so no need to leave). I'm sure more info will be requested during the medical part of it but I believe you should have a medical history and doctor in AU so you can provide this info.

I'm just not so sure you would fail the medical.

Originally Posted by prinoz

Greetings -

I have resided in Sydney for almost 5 years under a 457 Visa (in the process of renewing the 457). My employer sponsors me.

I would like to apply for permanent residency - and meet all requirements except one. I have MS.

Does anyone know of any other process or way to get PR working around the medical requirement?

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Anna

[prinoz]

Originally Posted by kaz101

Hi Anna,

Welcome to the forum.



I have to ask - why do you need to get around the medical requirement?

Regards,
Karen

because - Part of my MS treatment is taking a Beta-Interferon. Part of the medical is confirming that you are not taking this medication. Just wondered if anyone has been able to go about getting PR without this ?

[prinoz]

Originally Posted by amaslam

If you are functioning OK and keep the MS under control then I think you should be fine with medicals. Ask if your employer will sponsor you for a 856 PR visa (it's onshore so no need to leave). I'm sure more info will be requested during the medical part of it but I believe you should have a medical history and doctor in AU so you can provide this info.

I'm just not so sure you would fail the medical.

thanks for your message - much appreciated. I am actually the healthiest I have ever been in my life and in training for a full marathon.

The problem lies with the fact that as I have MS - I need to take medications which are on the restricted list to apply for PR. the cost of these medications make me a "not so attractive" candidate for PR.... (ie expensive and perhaps denying australian citizens with MS from their access to medications...)

I was curious to see if anyone has encountered this issue and found a way to gain PR with this hurdle.

Again any information you could give would be greatly appreciated.

thanks again~!

[PabloMorphy]

Prinoz,

Have you found an answer for your situation?

This is the deal: I was recently diagnosed with optic neuritis as a clinically isolated syndrome. I don't have MS, but the risk is there, so I was prescribed Copaxone to reduce the risk of conversion to MS. I was just offered a terrific job in Australia, but now I'm worried because I might not pass the medicals for the 457 (or obtaining PR later on). What have you found out??? Where can I find information?