-
Is there a visa suitable for me
For the last few years I have been waiting for a suitable visa for my self and family to move to WA on, we just missed out on the 188 investment visa, now from what I can see is I have to get a job sponsorship, as an MD in my field of work… Direct Mail…this is not a big thing in WA and the companies I have spoken to just don’t have the financial background to support the salary needed based on the visa requirements, not that I need to earn that much. Is there any other opportunities available…
-
14 Replies
-
G’day Wayne – Firstly, congratulations for being our very first poster in our brand new forums! It’s nice to be able to take the wrapping off finally! 🙂
It sounds like you’ve been facing challenges Let’s look at a few options based on your circumstances:
1. Skilled Migration (No Employer Sponsorship Required)
If you cannot secure employer sponsorship, you might consider skilled migration under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. This does not require employer sponsorship. Key visa subclasses include:
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): Requires nomination by a state or territory government (e.g., WA).
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) Points tested visa that enables you to love and work anywhere.
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa): A points-tested visa for regional areas like WA, with nomination by the state.
WA maintains a State Skilled Migration Occupation List (SSMOL), which lists occupations eligible for state nomination. If “Managing Director” or related roles in your field are not on this list, there may still be options depending on your qualifications and skills. Explore the WA nomination criteria here: https://migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-western-australia.
2. Global Talent Visa Program (now the
The Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) targets individuals with exceptional skills in certain sectors. While it’s primarily for tech, finance, and STEM fields, if you have senior-level expertise and international recognition in a niche industry, it may be worth exploring.
Learn more about this visa here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa
3. Temporary Work Visas (Other than Employer Sponsorship)
If employer sponsorship is challenging, you could explore temporary visa pathways that do not rely solely on job offers, such as:
- Subclass 407 (Training Visa): If you’re willing to gain new skills in your field through structured workplace training.
- Subclass 400 (Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa): For highly skilled professionals working on short-term projects.
4. Reassess Sponsorship Options
If sponsorship remains your preferred route, consider:
- Expanding your search to other states or territories with a stronger demand for your skillset.
- Exploring smaller regional businesses (e.g., through the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) framework), which allows businesses in certain regions to sponsor under less restrictive terms. Learn more here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/regional-migration/dama.
Hopefully, there is some food for thought in the above.
Cheers
Mark
-
Thanks for the quick response Mark, I have spoken too 2 different agents in the last 2 years and both have come up with a lose end for me…
Is there someone your side that can look into things and see if you can find away?
-
Hi mate – I wish there were. Based in WA but I’m not a migration agent – I’ve just been gambling for such a long time in this space that I know enough to be dangerous (though qualified migration agents are the way to go).
Are you looking to move alone, or do you have a partner who will be moving with you? Do they have any skills or experience in a profession that might open the door as the primary applicant?
When I moved here – Though I was the main breadwinner in my family, my wife was the primary as she had a degree and at the time I applied I did not. This gave us the extra points boost to get through the door.
-
-
Great explanation.. I enjoyed it.
-
Me, my wife and 4 children.
I have no degrees on paper but have been a MD for a company since 2008, never made a loss…
-
As an MD in my field of work… Direct Mail…this is not a big thing in WA and the companies I have spoken to just don’t have the financial background to support the salary needed based on the visa requirements.
Have you considered to apply for a role as a non MD/more junior manager position to get you here?
Also, does your wife work, have an occupation that might qualify?
-
I have but from my understanding it has to be in the fame field, I have had 2 job offers but was told it would not work…
-
Generally, you need to be able to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience for the role so that you are the most appropriate candidate (vs. a local Aussie who might say they could do the work as well).
If you have 20 years of experience in a role that requires 5, you would still be the most appropriate person for the role, even if the 5-year experience is the target benchmark.
I’m curious why other roles didn’t work out after job offers. Was this down to the $$ offered that you alluded to earlier?
-
-
I’ve always been told that I must go for a MD position, and as a MD it should carry a MD salary of $170k, and in the same industry.
I’ve been offered A hotel concierge position, been out the game for a long time but back in 1999 I was assist he’d concierge, then room service manager, then food and beverage manager, then left the industry to help out a friend, then set up a company in 2008 to which I’m still the MD, then a few years back also opened another company as a trial as this is what I was going to use as the gate way for the 188 investment visa before they closed it. Now everything I try seems to be a dead end….
-
Ah ok. Gotcha!
So generally the Australian migration Department requires that applicants have recent relevant experience (typically at least two years in the past five years) in the nominated occupation.
A long gap in the relevant field can make it difficult to demonstrate this.
With that said, I’m sure as an MD you probably get involved in lots of different elements of your role so theoretically you could demonstrate your involvement in elements of your job that equate to other occupations as well.
Although a concierge isn’t a occupation that currently qualifies there are a number of roles (restaurant managers and similar) that are advertised offering Visa sponsorship.
Here is an example of the skills you’d be expected to demonstrate you’ve undertaken in the last few years.
Might this be an avenue?
abs.gov.au
1220.0 - ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, First Edition, Revision 1
-
Ok i see where this could be going…
Here are my current companies
Mailing Guy.co.uk
Sweetest-treasure.co.uk
Ideally I would love to be able to open a business in WA something new and fresh, Sweetest Treasure, if you Google ‘Sweetest Treasure lakeside shopping centre’ your see what we opened.
Let me know your thoughts
-
Ah, the Lakeside. Used to be a regular haunt for me when I lived in the UK. 🙂
The sweetest treasure would be extremely popular here in WA. There are a number of sweet shops here in WA and the expats can’t get enough of them. Visa wise, it might be difficult to align with a specific occupation though General Management roles might be an option given your role in the company.
On the mailingguy.
The National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) might be an option though you would need to demonstrate that you are doing something cool in the innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship space. You would also need endorsement from a relevant Australian industry body or panel that recognizes your contributions in their field.
How’s your Australian network looking? Do you have any connections in the industry over here?
-
Yeah we know the sweet shop would do amazing in WA, that why we tried it in the UK…the business plan and everything is already and was handed over but sadly missed the 188 deadline before they closed.
The mailing industry in WA is in a mess and to try to get out there using that would be too hard…I’ve spoken to a few mailing houses in WA and they are all struggling…so I’m being told.
Do you think there is any business visas coming out that we can get over on the sweet concept?
-
None that I am aware of right now Wayne. I’m not sure if your wife has an occupation that might be useful?
Another option is you look to align your background with the General Manager Corporate role as this would provide access to the following visa options:
- 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
- 407 – Training visa (subclass 407)
- 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
- 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
- 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) – Employer sponsored stream.
As part of a skills assessed could you demonstrate and evidence experience aligned with this role?
Note For both Subclass 186 and 482, caveats apply to Corporate General Manager, meaning:
The business must not operate solely in retail, fast food, or limited other industries which may limit your role options should you decide to go down this route.
Ultimately I may be plucking at straws though in isolation of having a suitable replacement investment visa, it’s important to consider what other occupations your skills and experience could apply as visa options are in most cases aligned with occupation groups.
All the best
Mark
abs.gov.au
Occupation 121231 Corporate General Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls and reviews the day-to-day operations and major functions of a commercial, industrial, governmental or other organisation through departmental managers and subordinate executives.
Log in to reply.