457 Questions

[tanman]

Hi all -
First, this forum is most helpful. Thanks to all for your contributions.

I apologize if any of these questions are being repeated; I have read a lot but still unclear on a couple few items. Any thoughts are appreciated.

1) My employer has offered me a job, and I have signed a contract. They completed reference checks and had me fill out a couple company forms (security background check (previous addresses, etc.) and health declaration).

What additional documentation will the immigration authorities require? Will they repeat reference checks? Will they want certified copies of my diploma, etc.?

2) I have a spouse (from Vietnam). Will she also have to do a criminal background check for immigration? Or just me based on company policy?

3) Any Americans who can speak about their experience in terms of how quickly the process went? Does nationality impact the speed of processing?

Thanks again!
David

[amaslam]

I assume this is for a 457 temp visa. PR visas usually take longer and require more documentation.

1. They'll need a copy of the employment contract and your company also needs to file a form that they are sponsoring you.
2. For a 457 - No, for a PR (yes), she will probably need to do a health check
3. 457 - 6 weeks average, some within 2 weeks. As bad as 4 months. PR - 4-12 months depending on how fast documentation is received. The FBI check can take months to get sent by the US. The only part where nationality affects processing speed is health checks as they have low risk countries (US is on this list) and high risk countries (most other countries).

Originally Posted by tanman

Hi all -
First, this forum is most helpful. Thanks to all for your contributions.

I apologize if any of these questions are being repeated; I have read a lot but still unclear on a couple few items. Any thoughts are appreciated.

1) My employer has offered me a job, and I have signed a contract. They completed reference checks and had me fill out a couple company forms (security background check (previous addresses, etc.) and health declaration).

What additional documentation will the immigration authorities require? Will they repeat reference checks? Will they want certified copies of my diploma, etc.?

2) I have a spouse (from Vietnam). Will she also have to do a criminal background check for immigration? Or just me based on company policy?

3) Any Americans who can speak about their experience in terms of how quickly the process went? Does nationality impact the speed of processing?

Thanks again!
David

[tanman]

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, temp visa.

So for a temp 457 visa:
Will an FBI check be required?

I have lived in Vietnam for the past 2 years. Any thoughts on how that would impact my medical check requirements?

Assume my wife have more stringent health check requirements being Vietnamese?

As a trailing spouse, will she have to pass any English proficiency exam?

I just want to be proactive about anything I can to expedite the process.

Thanks again.

[amaslam]

Yes, looks like now it's needed (both Vietnam and US checks (that includes FBI))

Your health checks should be the same (and will need to be done by a panel doctor in Vietnam).

No English test on this visa.

I'd get on with the Police Check requirements as you're dealing with US and Vietnam government agencies who may not be in any hurry to provide documents.

Originally Posted by tanman

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, temp visa.

So for a temp 457 visa:
Will an FBI check be required?

I have lived in Vietnam for the past 2 years. Any thoughts on how that would impact my medical check requirements?

Assume my wife have more stringent health check requirements being Vietnamese?

As a trailing spouse, will she have to pass any English proficiency exam?

I just want to be proactive about anything I can to expedite the process.

Thanks again.