squeeel Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hello to all my fellow colleagues far away in Australia, if you could spare me a moment for some advice ( or encouragement ) in the following, i´d be very grateful: Like some others before me in this forum, i´m also getting close to taking my first steps towards a relocation to Australia. In my case it would be a permanent move as i´m quite ready to settle down, not just as a freelancing or temporary thrill for a few years. I´m 36 years old, with about eight of those in the 3D industry, having worked at a viz studio as well as inhouse at an architectural firm, where i am now. Got a hundred or so projects behind me, with all kinds of commercial and residential buildings, parks, stadiums, malls etc. etc. In plain english, i think i should be able to find my position in Oz, once i´m down there. So, what i would need your advice in is one of two ways of going about with the whole thing. I´ve done the famous immigration assessment required and found that i have sufficient points to eventually go ahead and apply for a skilled immigration visa. Now, ofcourse this would cost a boatload of money (at least 5-6000 AUD) to pull through and about a year of hassle and waiting, while it´s not guaranteed (obviously) that you´ll be granted the visa in the end. I wouldn´t even mind the costs and all, as the prospect of possibly getting a visa that´s pretty much like a US green card, is tempting enough when you want to make a relocation across the globe. But then i can´t stop wondering how it would be if i´d just get on a flight and simply try my luck on location, or just keep surfing seekdotcomdotau and such places and hope for a sponsorship from one of the advertising companies. You guys living and working there, more or less aware of the situation and possibilities, in all honesty would you find it a waste of time and money to go the expensive and troublesome but possibly very rewarding visa route? Or could i with some luck, determination, a good portfolio and some flexibility find myself working at a studio in some australian city anyway? I´m sure there are a lot of people managing to get by without the pre-visa-stuff, all the time. Naturally, i´m aware of that the proper immigration processes would need to be done even in the case of sponsorship, but it would probably be easier on both my wallet and nerves. But again, i´m ready to go either of the ways and hoping for the best. By the way, Sydney or Perth would be on top of my list, if i ever got the choice. I have read some of the topics in these forums that touch this matter and found your encouragements, warnings and informations really inspiring and thought that i could get myself a word of wisdom as well, and then maybe i´ll find it a bit easier to decide Thanx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandmanNinja Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Last I checked, you cannot look for work on a Tourist Visa. It's Illegal. If you are caught doing this, they can deport you and refuse you entry for 3 years. So, keep that in mind. The best bet is to apply OFF-SHORE with various companies and ask if they are willing to sponsor you on a work visa. For them to do that, they have to show that they've searched high and low through-out Australia looking for a local Australian to fill the role and were unable to find one. Immigration can ask for names of newspapers and dates their ads ran, if they want to. And it costs the company money to actually sponsor someone. You can also contact a Migration Agent, the good ones are lawyers that specialise in this area of Law. If you apply for work in this country while on a Tourist Visa and actually get a job, you'll be asked on Day 1 for your Passport to show that you have a Work Visa. If you do not, they will either show you the door or offer to sponsor you. They could even just tell you to apply for a work visa on your own, by using a Point-based system that takes into account any University Diplomas you may have. Of course, to apply for a Work Visa, you have to be OFF-SHORE - they do not process them if you are in the country. Because, why would a Tourist be looking for work..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky Lane Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Get a "Working Holiday" visa. That allows you to look for, and work (with limitations) for a year. From there, if you find a good firm - they can sponsor you and can work towards a permanent residency or citizenship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Hunt Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Having gone through the process (8years ago). We did the Skilled migration. In those days it took two years, ours came through just shy of 18 months. So waiting a year isn't too bad and goes suprisingly quickly. My sister-inlaw is in the process now. She has just been informed that the priority order of visas has just been changed, with Sponcered work visa top and Skilled work visa second last (Other types are listed as last) So if you can convince a company to sponcer you, you will be in quickly. Good luck though as the criteria are very strickt, especially so for the company. The working visa is designed for backpackers, as such the working restrictions are tight. Check it out first. There is also a Student Visa option, which allows you to work X hours a week in your profession, while you are studying. BIG DISCRAIMER AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!! I'd say speak to a migration officer first. What I say is in no way legal advise:p Good luck jhv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky Lane Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Having a bit of an Engrish day today Justin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Hunt Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 sadly, enrishlr is my frist laguage, Fringers tipe toooooooooo fast and brayn is to slow jhv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky Lane Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I here u. Someone needs to design a computer that does what we MEAN and not WHAT WE TELL IT. Sans Literal Technology - I can see the marketing angle already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeeel Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 (edited) Thanx a bunch gentlemen, i appreciate your responses! I´ve grown a little wiser and think i know which way to go now, hoping for the best. If i was twenty-something again i´d probably just pack my bags and go the wild, backpacking way, but since i´m getting dangerously close to the old fart phase (one of the reasons why a working holiday-visa doesn´t apply to me by the way, as those are just for folks up to 32 years of age) so i guess i´ll break out the old wallet and go for the skilled immigration visa "lottery". Since i´m not in an immediate rush, i don´t mind that the process will take a while and like i mentioned, wouldn´t even mind the expenses, was it not for the uncertainty of the whole thing. Standing there one year from now with a decline fron the government and about 6 grand less on my bankaccount, i´d probably take hostages at the embassy or something... I will ofcourse take the advice of a migration agent, wouldn´t dream of doing it all alone. Justin, your success will be my guiding light! Meanwhile, i guess it won´t hurt to apply for advertised jobs online, as they do show up from time to time, the worst i can get is a "no thanx". So, thank y´all again! Edited February 27, 2009 by squeeel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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