[scubastu]

Hi everyone,

We`ve been living here in Sydney for the last 9months (457visa) and looks like we`ll be getting our contract/visa extended beyond 2012.

Just wondering how long do you have to be here in Oz before you can apply for permanent residency?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[naoto]

PR is not linked to a number of years in Australia. It's rather linked to skills-points or sponsorship. For sponsorship employers usually sponsor employees for PR after 2 years of service. There is nothing requiring employers to do so thou

 

[Dolly]

If you have the skills, you could apply now!!!!

Dolly

 

[scubastu]

Thanks for the answers and clears it up for us. You read all sorts of differing lengths of qualifying periods for PR.

We`ll certainly look at applying now if we can.

Cheers once again

 

[Guest]

But if you wait for 2 years employed in the same role you do not need to do a skills assesment. If you apply before you do

 

[scubastu]

But if you wait for 2 years employed in the same role you do not need to do a skills assesment. If you apply before you do

Maybe that`s why we always hear that it`s 2years before you can apply. Thanks for that.

 

[Maz25]

Maybe that`s why we always hear that it`s 2years before you can apply. Thanks for that.

Personally, I am all for applying for PR as soon as you qualify for it, simply because immigration regularly updates the rules and whilst you may not need a skills assessment now, there is no guarantee that in future you may not need one.

Importantly, immigration typical adds and removes occupations from the SOL list on an annual basis and that may also affect you in the future.

As Dolly said, if you qualify for your PR now, then you should apply now. It'll also give you peace of mind once you have your PR, knowing that your future here is secure.