457 to PR - Onshore vs Offshore application

[Samarr]

Hi All,

I’m on a 457 Work visa in Sydney along with my family since Jan'11(Before this Feb’10 to May’10 & June’10 to Aug’10 on a 457 Business visa) and wanted to apply for an independent GSM PR but in a dilemma as in where to apply from, for a PR. What I mean is if I should put up an Onshore or an offshore application and which one would be beneficial fro me to get a PR in less time.

As I’m very busy as well as don’t want to take any chances, so trying to get in touch with an agent to do it for me for a fees. Now I do have 2 options either to get in touch with some Agent from my home country (India) or to take the services from someone from Sydney but I’m not sure which one I should opt for. As I have been talking to lots of people around and the kind of impression I’m getting is – an onshore application via taking services of someone operating within Australia would be given preference by immigration authorities (but this is getting expensive in terms of fees in comparison with what is being asked by Indian agents).

So is there anyone who might have faced similar situation and what had been the right choice for them or if anyone can recommend me as in what should be right in such situations.

Thanks
Samar

[cross]

Originally Posted by Samarr

Hi All,

I’m on a 457 Work visa in Sydney along with my family since Jan'11(Before this Feb’10 to May’10 & June’10 to Aug’10 on a 457 Business visa) and wanted to apply for an independent GSM PR but in a dilemma as in where to apply from, for a PR. What I mean is if I should put up an Onshore or an offshore application and which one would be beneficial fro me to get a PR in less time.

As I’m very busy as well as don’t want to take any chances, so trying to get in touch with an agent to do it for me for a fees. Now I do have 2 options either to get in touch with some Agent from my home country (India) or to take the services from someone from Sydney but I’m not sure which one I should opt for. As I have been talking to lots of people around and the kind of impression I’m getting is – an onshore application via taking services of someone operating within Australia would be given preference by immigration authorities (but this is getting expensive in terms of fees in comparison with what is being asked by Indian agents).

So is there anyone who might have faced similar situation and what had been the right choice for them or if anyone can recommend me as in what should be right in such situations.

Thanks
Samar

Hi Samar,

We were sailing in the same boat few months back... the decision to go with an agent an vs doing it ourselves. In fact we did approach an agent from Sydney and took a paid initial advice from him. There were 2 people on the call.. one was informed and the other was keen on converting the case! We figured out that the informed agent was suggesting we do it ourselves and take his help on an need basis as he was not very sure with our case. The other person was suggesting that we do it with them so that they have a complete hold of the case (!!!).

Eventually, we did our research and decided to do it ourselves. Fortunately for us things have fallen in place and my OHs employer has sponsored for PR.

I understand from your post that you might be pretty tied up with your work but its worth spending a little extra time and doing it yourself. you can spend some time reading some informative threads on this forum. That should give you a good head start. If you are really stuck somewhere, you can post your queries on this forum.

Good luck with your PR!

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Samarr

Hi All,

I’m on a 457 Work visa in Sydney along with my family since Jan'11(Before this Feb’10 to May’10 & June’10 to Aug’10 on a 457 Business visa) and wanted to apply for an independent GSM PR but in a dilemma as in where to apply from, for a PR. What I mean is if I should put up an Onshore or an offshore application and which one would be beneficial fro me to get a PR in less time.

As I’m very busy as well as don’t want to take any chances, so trying to get in touch with an agent to do it for me for a fees. Now I do have 2 options either to get in touch with some Agent from my home country (India) or to take the services from someone from Sydney but I’m not sure which one I should opt for. As I have been talking to lots of people around and the kind of impression I’m getting is – an onshore application via taking services of someone operating within Australia would be given preference by immigration authorities (but this is getting expensive in terms of fees in comparison with what is being asked by Indian agents).

So is there anyone who might have faced similar situation and what had been the right choice for them or if anyone can recommend me as in what should be right in such situations.

Thanks
Samar

You cannot apply for onshore visa if you are holding 457 visa.