Can we get a visa

[uksammy]

Hi

We were told by global visas that we could get a regional visa though we really would like to get on a skilled visa. We haven't paid any money yet as I want to be sure we will actually get accepted. I sent this to the lady we've been in contact with at Global Visas....what do you think?

'Craig has been in his current job for just over a year now. It is an
insulation company which undertake loft and wall cavity insulation. They
also have a contract which is to fit draught-proofing to wooden windows and
doors. As well as this he also fits locks and different security measures to
wooden windows and doors. Also with the loft insulation side, he has to cut
new hatches into existing ceilings, this means cutting out ceiling joists,
bracing them up and finishing off with a plywood lid and architrave. Before
this current job he worked for a year at a landscape gardening company
undertaking maintenance, hard landscaping and many carpentry tasks. As he
had his previous experience in carpentry, whenever there was a woodworking
task to be done, he was the person asked to do it. This involved building
from scratch, wooden structures such as pergolas, (wooden arches you walk
through), also erecting and maintaining fences, posts and panels and general
timber care. For roughly 18 months before this he worked for an agency, just
doing office based jobs, data input and customer liaising. Previous to this
he was working self-employed as a carpenter's mate for 2 years. He undertook
many different assignments including pitched and flat roofing, 1st fix site
work including loft conversions, floor joists and floor boarding, stud work
such as partition walls, dry walling and staircase building. He also worked
on 2nd fix tasks like door-hanging, window fitting, fascia and soffits,
fixing skirting boards and architraves. Also he has fitted kitchens and
bathroom suites. Before he worked self-employed he had undertaken 1 and a
half years of a 3 year carpentry and joinery apprenticeship. Unfortunately
due to personal reasons he never finished the apprenticeship, and never
gained all of the relevant qualifications. But we are looking into the
possibility of him completing his qualifications in the next coming months.
He is in contact at the moment with Barnfield college about doing an intense
course over a 6 month or so period and gaining all of the qualifications he
will need. When Craig worked at the landscape company his working hours were
from 7-5 Monday to Friday. His current working hours are from 7.30- usually
4.30 Monday to Friday. This does change slightly as his pay scheme is
piecework related. As soon as his jobs are done, he finishes. Also he does
work many Saturdays. As for references, he is sure his current employer and
previous employer from the garden company will give references.

Thank you for taking time out to help us, and look forward to hearing from
you again.'


The lady emailed back to say ring her, but my phone is not working so i'm waiting for her to email back. I just don't want to part with money for them to say he's not qualified enough. When he could do another course and then apply.

[anj1976]

Hi

Firstly, if you do go for an agent, they do not charge the entire amount at a go. They always take the money in stages. So you wont loose all the money there.They have to be registered as immigration lawyers/agents/consultants and they can not give you the wrong information since they might fear loosing their license.

Secondly, its always better to take a second opinion. There a a couple of migration agents/consultants in this forum, Karen or Dolly will guide you.

Cheers
Anj

[kaz101]

Hi ukSammy,

We actually had a face to face free consultation with our agent before we decided to go with them.

As Anj suggested try more than one agent for a free consultation - the last one was the only one who thought they could get us in on a skilled independent visa.

Do you know why the agent suggested a regional visa?
I asked loads of questions, before and during the application.

Regards,
Karen

[uksammy]

I have no idea why the regional visa was suggested, she said my partner would have to get a job offer before going. I want to just go for it but don't know which visa is best. And if Craig could do a quick course would that help in any way? What qualification would be best? There's so many questions and as days go by we're no nearer to getting anywhere. The lady from Global Visas still hasn't contacted me, so think she's fed up of my questions, and I have no phone at the moment! I don't know what other agent to try as I was recommended Global Visas from a friend.

[anj1976]

HI Again

Regional visa has a few issues, you will be stuck to one city for two years, it becomes difficult incase you dont get any good offer at the location where you have to be at.
But the good thing about taking regional sponsorship is points, it gives you some extra points which add to your total.

As for contacting you is concerned, most of visa agents contact their clients over email. I do not see where the problem lies.I think it would be best for you to contact few other agents, take their opinion and then finalise with the one you feel is the most helpful giving you a positive response.

We are using AK migration. They have been helpful so far and are fast in replying. and i dont think they will give you a flowery picture, the guy is an indian and very straight in his replies.

[Dolly]

Originally Posted by uksammy

I don't know what other agent to try as I was recommended Global Visas from a friend.

We used George Lombard Welcome to Austimmigration | George Lombard Consultancy Pty. Ltd. and Karen used the Emigration Group Welcome to The Emigration Group Website - A complete migration service for New Zealand and Australia. There's also GoMatilda Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Visa, Tax, and Financial Planning for Australia.

Dolly

[uksammy]

Thanks Dolly I'll try these

[sallyparker]

Try workpermit . com they have very useful information on there

[Alan Collett]

Originally Posted by anj1976

HI Again

Regional visa has a few issues, you will be stuck to one city for two years, it becomes difficult incase you dont get any good offer at the location where you have to be at.

<snip>

Not 100% correct. The visa condition attaching to a Skilled Regional Sponsored visa will require you to live and work in a designated area of Australia (where the sponsorship is by a State or Territory Government). This means that in principle you can move from one designated area (eg Adelaide) to another (eg Melbourne - the whole of VIC is a designated area for the purpose of the subclass 475 visa):
Skilled &ndash; Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)

Agreed though that in seeking the State Sponsorship you are usually required to sign an undertaking to live in that State. Whether that is a legally enforceable undertaking is untested (so far as I know).

Best regards.

[anj1976]

Originally Posted by Alan Collett

Not 100% correct. The visa condition attaching to a Skilled Regional Sponsored visa will require you to live and work in a designated area of Australia (where the sponsorship is by a State or Territory Government). This means that in principle you can move from one designated area (eg Adelaide) to another (eg Melbourne - the whole of VIC is a designated area for the purpose of the subclass 475 visa):
Skilled &ndash; Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)

Agreed though that in seeking the State Sponsorship you are usually required to sign an undertaking to live in that State. Whether that is a legally enforceable undertaking is untested (so far as I know).

Best regards.

I meant the same but talking of Victoria, IT jobs are mainly at melbourne, same goes with NSW, sydney dominates the IT industry. I meant the same but you put it in better words.