Cari01 Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Hi everyoneI am so scared and confused and I really hope that someone might be able to help with some info.I noticed that very few people on this forum leave on a 457 and that scares me so much. A company in Brisbane contacted my husband a while ago and offered him a 457 visa. I am so scared to pack up everything just to get sent back. I dont feel comfortable leaving with two small kids on a temp visa. I would really appreciate any comments on this.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Temp visas are a risk but its a quick way to get out of South Africa. Many people have done it and eventually ended up with PR and even citizenship. The PR route is the way to go if you want a little less stress. I take my hat off to people who go the temp route. Welcome to the forum by the way and good luck with the decision. This is something you need to be comfortable doing but you will get lots of support here no matter what you decide to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cari01 Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Thank you so much....The amount of support given on this forum is amazing. I think sometimes you get more support around here then from family and friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Welcome,We left RSA in 2008 and I can honestly say that in all that time I do not know of anyone on a 457 who got sent back to RSA. If people have been sent back then they haven't shared.There are many happy people on this forum who came over on this visa type.I understand your concern and it's a valid one, but only you can decide. Good luck with your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chzaau Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 What would be the reason that your husband decided to explore options in Australia ? Are you happy living in South Africa or are you concerned for your future ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cari01 Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 We started talking about going to Aus just after the twins birth. Then we got so busy that we just never came round to all the paper work. Out of the blue a company called him to do an interview and offered a 457 sponsorship. I know in my heart I really want to go I have no doubt about that. I am just scared because we dont have the reasurance of a perm visa... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Live is uncertain, just do it. What's the worst that can happen if you really think about it... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OubaasDik Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I know of a guy who got sent back in 2004. It wasn't nice.Having said that he is the ONLY person I know of who has been.I came on a 457 and am now a citizen. AndreaL on this forum - same thing.Just because you come over on a 457, does not mean you can't apply for a normal PR visa while you are here. It just means you're onshore without the irritation of the SA government to spur you to apply faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordy Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 The immi law was recently changed to give you 90 days to find another sponsor if you get retrenched. Previously was 28 days. So that gives a little more of a safety net. Also for some people a 457 is the only way out of the country as for some professions two years working in the same job replaces the need to do a skills assessment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Search Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Hi Cari01, I think it also depends on what line of work your hubby is in and the employer offering the visa. We also came over on 457 and now have PR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowman Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Nothing wrong with a 457 but just keep some options in case you have to return like funds etc. I'm going on a 457 soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TQO Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Hi Cari - the latest changes to the 457 visa are in "our" favour. By our, I mean those of us looking at or going on a 457, with specific reference to the fact that should something go pear shaped, you have 90 days to seek an alternative sponsor.I don't why the 457's aren't more "out" there, as there are many on this forum, both past and present visa holders - I know because I scouted many of them out and hounded them for stories and personal experiences to appease my own fears .Count yourself incredibly lucky that you were contacted. Many forumites have been unsuccessful in obtaining work while still in RSA and a number unsuccessful still once they arrived down under. We too are stressing about the implications of the temp restrictions, but we have time against us (hubby is 40+) and we've been actively job hunting for over 7 months. We just want to go ... like yesterday, so we are willing to take the risk.Everyone I have spoken with has/had the same initial worry about it being a temp visa, but there are ways and means to obtaining PR quickly or quicker, so do yourself a favour and read up on the RSMS/ENS 186/187 visas and negotiate this with your perspective employer. I know of a few forumites who with a little subtlety were able to pull this off without waiting the two year's. What have you got to lose by asking?Wishing you all the very best, and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cari01 Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Thank you very much to each and everyone that shared a bit of info with me today. I really appreciate it so much. I feel so much better about everything now. Looking forward to the whole experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkm Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Not sure how old your kids are, but also negotiate whether company will pay the fees if you have to pay international school fees. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zetman Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Hi there,We also came over on a 457 and today are happily settled citizens. The 457 does come with some extra risk in that you're dependent on holding your job with your sponsor, but at least you know you have a job when you arrive and it's a well trotted pathway to PR and eventual citizenship - statistically most people who come over on 457s have a happy ending.The key is to make sure that it's a calculated risk. Like someone already said just do your due diligence on the employer/sponsor, the current economic state of their sector in Aus for your hubby's occupation and so forth.It's natural to be scared, it's a huge move, but all great journeys start with a first step...z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slabbert Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 hi and welcomethe only other point i can add on the 457 is too check the impact on your day to day living expensesas public schooling and medicare are not covered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikamarie Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTMI Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) Thank you so much....The amount of support given on this forum is amazing. I think sometimes you get more support around here then from family and friends.Unless friends and family have experienced it it is hard for them to understand what you are going through at this time.We started talking about going to Aus just after the twins birth. Then we got so busy that we just never came round to all the paper work. Out of the blue a company called him to do an interview and offered a 457 sponsorship. I know in my heart I really want to go I have no doubt about that. I am just scared because we dont have the reasurance of a perm visa...Options to consider...Have you asked the employer whether they would consider sponsoring you immediately for permanent residence, rather than via the 457? Have you considered whether you are eligible to apply for permanent residence independently? If you are eligible to apply for PR without you employer sponsoring you then you could potentially take the 457 (you have an employer) whilst at the same time starting an application for permanent residence. There is nothing to prevent a 457 visa holder applying for permanent residence at any time they are eligible.Congrats on the job offerTee Edited August 14, 2013 by TeeTMI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanWykeC Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Hi there.Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clover Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Welcome to the forum !All of the best for the journey ahead ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springmielie Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 My daughter is in Brisbane on a 457 . She had just graduated and had no experience when she was offered the job. She did not have to do a Skills Assesment or IELTS (her last 5 years of study was mostly in English). If it was not for this job offer she most probably would have still been unemployed in South Africa. So for her it was a wonderful opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oosie Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We came to Aus 5 years ago on a 457, my husband was 52 years old at that stage. We had our PR within 2 and 1/2 years and are Aussie citizens now. If we didn't take that opportunity we wouldn't be here now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cari01 Posted August 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 100000000 x thank you so much for all the repliesIt's been a bit hectic on this side. So much to do in so little time. I am feeling a bit overwelmed as I realised how much I still need to do. I am so scared that I might forget something important. I have so many to do lists but dont know when to start with what. So many 50/50 questions of sell everything or move everthing that side. When to put your house in the market and what if we dont manage to sell it in time?? Like I said a million questions in a very confused mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzDreams Posted August 17, 2013 Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 Hey there, I'm a newbie too. Can't really help with your answers for now, but can be forward enough to say 'welcome' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyer Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Hi all . Our 457 visa was lodged on the 3rd of September and we are still waiting. Our agent only informed us that our nomination was approved on the 16th of Sep and we have to be patient. We did medicals , birth certificates , english test in july already and submitted.I dont understand what the delay is. I can not check with the TRN number as the password is with the agent and all correspondence is send to him. It is a nightmare to get info from him and he is not at the office on fridays. Is there anyone out there experiencing the ssame thing ? Is there a way you can check the status of your visa yourself ?Please assist if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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