The VISA

Before you board that plane to the land down under...you will need a VISA to get into the country.

For more information on VISAs, check out the following site: www.immi.gov.au

There are three VISAs you could possibly apply for:

1. Tourist VISA

For people to visit Australia for holiday, sightseeing, social or recreational reasons, to visit relatives, friends or for other short-term non-work purposes.

You could use this VISA to enter Australia and write the exam. However, if you are wanting to work after receiving news that you have passed the Boards (which you will of course!), you will need another working VISA. This VISA can only be applied for while you are outside the country.

2. Working Holiday VISA

For people aged between 18 and 30 from arrangement countries to have an extended holiday supplemented by short-term employment.

This is what I applied for before leaving Canada for Australia. This allowed me to work for an employer for a certain amount of time (I believe it is a max of 6 months). After the length of this VISA expires, you must re-apply or transfer to the 457 VISA (below).

3. 457 VISA Temporary Long Stay

For skilled workers who have qualifications and/or experience in particular occupations required in Australia. This VISA requires that you are sponsored by an employer in Australia.

The VISA can be applied for online and costs about $300 AU. Before you can apply for this however, your sponsor (employer), will need to apply and nominate the position. They would need to meet certain requirements as well (such as providing you with a minimum salary - I believe it was $44, 000 per annum when I applied; usually works out to be about $800 in retainer).

This VISA will let you work with that particular employer for upto 4 years. You can also put dependents (spouses, defacto spouses, children) on your VISA as secondary applicants.



From experience, I came to Australia on a Working Holiday VISA, which allowed me to work for my employer for upto 6 months. During that time, I applied for a 457 VISA. Once it was granted, I just transferred over to the 457 VISA, which lets you enter and exit Australia freely.

Another CMCCer applied for the 457 VISA in Canada (she knew her sponsor beforehand and the paperwork was submitted early). She entered Australia on the 457 VISA and just stayed on it until she left.

My boyfriend Eric came to Australia on a tourist VISA and once he found a position, was sponsored and was granted a 457 VISA.

So there are many ways you can work this; just be aware of the timeframes and deadlines. Usually 457 VISAs involve some paperwork and will take a bit of time to organize. A working holiday VISA can be completed online and are approved within a week if you meet the age requirements (18-30 years).

Should you have any questions, call the Immigration Australia Contact Line (listed on the webpage). Or you can email me, and I will try to help as best I can.


Aliya
cdnchiro@gmail.com