Moving to OZ, UK Accountant - how long does the VISA take?
I am considering relocating to Australia but I need to get some information to allow me to plan appropriately. I am assuming you apply for the visa before you go out there to look for a job? If so, how long does the visa take? What about if you already have a job offer do they process your visa quicker? I have also heard of state sponsorship, what is this and is this quicker?
Other - Australia - 1 Answers
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Answer 1 :
As an accountant (which is a special case), if you're prepared to sit the IELTS test and can score at least 7s across the board (which shouldn't pose any problems for someone from the UK) and if you score at least 120 points on the points test (the IELTS 7s contribute 25 points), you should be able to get an independent permanent visa in something under 6 months. Having a job offer will give you more points, but unless the employer is prepared to actually sponsor you, you won't get your visa any faster. Even if you do have sponsorship, it won't make a huge difference to the processing time and of course you have to add the additional time to get the sponsorship in the first place. State sponsorship gets you faster processing, but you have to add the several weeks delay in getting the sponsorship so again, you won't be much better off than with the independent visa. See the following fact sheet for info. for info on visa processing priorities: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/migration-program.pdf EDIT: I didn't answer your question about what state sponsorship is. Each state and territory publishes lists of occupations which are short of workers in that part of the country. They offer state sponsorship to people in those occupations who are able to meet their requirements (financial, commitment to state etc). State sponsorship does not include a job offer and you must still apply separately for your visa. The benefits are: • the pass mark for the points test for a state sponsored visa is only 100 points instead of 120. • state sponsored visas are at the top of the visa processing priorities so are granted faster than all other visa types except employer sponsored. When you add the sponsorship processing time though, you wouldn't be much better off (because your occupation is on the CSL). • most states offer some kind of settlement assistance (advice, not financial assistance) Disadvantages: • adds another step to the application process. You get sponsorship first and include the sponsorship confirmation with your visa application. • there are costs involved (they vary from state to state) • most states have specific financial requirements, not for investment, but commonsense ones to ensure that you have enough money for settlement purposes - not such a disadvantage really. • most require you to show that you have researched their state and have an understanding of it and a commitment to living there long term • you must live and work for at least 2 years in the sponsoring state or your visa will be cancelled • because of the 2 year rule, you have less flexibility when it comes to finding work
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