Advice

[LetMeIn]

I have been offered a job in Australia and the company is prepared to sponsor me on a 457 visa. Please advise on the following:

1. I was convicted of fraud charges 11 years ago, I had 2 years house arrest as sentencing. I have since had the criminal offence pardoned off my record so now my police record is clear. When filling in the application is it really necessary to mention this? I have not been in any other trouble before or after that. Is there a way that immigration will find out about the offence?

2. My wife has rheumatoid arthritus, will this negatively effect the outcome of the visa application if we put it on as a medical condition?

3. When applying for a 457 visa how long is the whole process more or less from start to finish?

4. Do I need unabridged birth and marraige certificates for a temporary visa?

5. can you please tell me what exactly was requested by immigration for the medical requirements for anyone who has applied for a 457 from South Africa preferably.

Thanks

[kaz101]

Hi Letmein,

Welcome to the forum.

1. I would always be upfront on the immigration forms. If you are not sure I would consult a professional migrant agent - we have a few of them on the forum occasionally (Alan Collett and Liana Allen).

2. They are usually only worried about illnesses that will drain the health service. So I would have thought arthritis was okay but if in doubt contact an agent.

3. If you read through the posts I think others have said how long 457 visa takes (I didn't use that visa type so don't know from personal experience).

4. Unabridged?

5. Have you checked the immigration websites for the health requirements?
The is a link in the "PLEASE READ...." sticky post.

Regards,
Karen

[LetMeIn]

Thanks for the info Karen. I am just so desperate to get into Aus and I am scared that all these little things will cause my visa to be declined. I was young and stupid with the whole fraud thing but I didnt realsie that something I did 11 years ago, paid my dues could still bite me in the butt..

An Unabridged birth certificate is a full birth certificate, I am sure I read somewhere that it is a requirement.

Where are you from Karen?

[kaz101]

Hi LetMeIn,

I didn't realise that you could get different kinds of birth certificates - I only have one which is the full kind.

I'm from the UK (a Souff Londoner originally) and I moved to Oz nearly a year ago. Now settled in SE South Australia and loving it

Regards,
Karen

[LetMeIn]

I read somewhere that a police clearance is not requested for a 457 visa?? Is this correct?

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by LetMeIn

I read somewhere that a police clearance is not requested for a 457 visa?? Is this correct?

Have you checked the visa links in the "PLEASE READ...." or "Thinking of emigrating" sticky posts towards the top of this forum? The links go the immigration website and that should have all the requirements that are needed for the 457 visa.

Regards,
Karen

[SOMV]

Hi Letmein,

Here are some comments which I hope will help:

1. Yours is a very serious conviction and will have to be addressed. You will be asked to declare on your visa application form whether or not you have any kind of police record. Not declaring will mean that you are committing fraud.

I know that you think that the conviction has been wiped off your record, but it has not, not on the police check that will come through when/if a police clearances is requested.

If you seriously want to get to Australia on clean grounds and you consider remaining on a long term basis, you should apply for your police clearance now and obtain some professional advice about how to deal with the issue on any visa application.

If you have been to Australia on a tourist visa since your conviction, and you have not declared your conviction, you are already going to have an issue to deal with when this comes to light, since all boarding/declaration cards are kept on the system and checked by the Department.

I am sorry, I know it sounds like I am trying to scare the living daylights out of you, but trust me, it's best to be upfront and to have the issue dealt with rather than trying to hide it.

2. Rheumatoid arthritus:

This will depend on the prognosis and on the seriousness of the condition.

3. When applying for a 457 visa how long is the whole process more or less from start to finish?

It depends on the processing office. But with your issue of a police record there will be an inevitable delay. So I would say at the very least a couple of months.

4. Do I need unabridged birth and marraige certificates for a temporary visa?

Full birth certificates will be needed. In the UK you can apply for them online now. They can be sent to you in a matter of days.

[LetMeIn]

Thanks for the information, how can I send you email or a pvt msg?

[SOMV]

Hello,

You can contact me directly at veronika@sortoutmyvisa.com

[Robogirl]

Dear SOMV (and LetmeIn)

Do you know much about the following:

"This will depend on the prognosis and on the seriousness of the condition."

I have arthritis, and have some joints replacement in my "backpack" I get the new drug called "Enbrel" but when I get this drug I can work fulltime and don't need to see my doctor for more than every 6 month for a control.

We just applied for the Skill Assesment and will apply for the 175 visa. We have been told that if we get the visa there will be no problem for us to get covered by medicare or by private health insurance.
My doctor says he will write a letter saying that I can work and if I get my medicine there will be no "costs" having me in the country

Do you think this condition is a problem ?

Kind Regards Mette

PS. LetmeIn, please tell me if you also find out of something about this specific thing.

I can be contacted on: mette.bjoernstad (a) gmail.com