475 pros and cons

[LaurenG]

We are considering applying for a 475 SA SS visa, but have a few burning concerns which we would appreciate some advice and opinions on before we make our mind up for certain.

 

Firstly has anybody found any problems or difficulties finding employment on a 475 visa due to the fact it is only temporary?

 

Are there any restrictions on healthcare for 475 visa holders? Or if you pay your insurances do you have the same entitlements?

 

We have the intention of going for permanent residency after 2 years as long as everything goes well. I know there are no guarantees but has anybody been rejected after holding a 475 visa and what were their reasons why?

 

Lots of questions but we would really appreciate any advice and any of your stories so far that could help us to make our decision.

[JHN5]

Hi

 

We've had the same questions buzzing around.

 

Our intention is to do the qualifying period then apply for PR as soon as we can. We asked our migration agent last year prior to applying for the visa about the possibility of rejection in converting the 475 to a permanent visa, but they hadn't heard of any rejections (though you never know what will happen in the future).

 

Re employment, my understanding is that there are restrictions on certain jobs, for example government posts (though not sure how a government job is defined) and my OH has found one bank that won't consider him as he has a 475 visa. We've seen a post on here from someone (poss SA gov??) asking for any of these examples so they can follow them up but we can't find the thread now. There is also a letter you can download from the SA Government website which basically states to an potential employer that you are ok to employ with a 475.

 

Medical/healthcare - We've been told if you are on a 475 you may come under the UK/Aus reciprocal healthcare agreement but we are looking at this at present. I think you will still have to take out some healthcare insurance.

 

Not sure if that helps really. We've decided to go for it and our house is for sale at the moment. Once it is sold we are on our way, we want more for us and our kids and we don't want to have the conversation in five years time that starts with " I wish we had ............"

 

Good luck and we wish you well with whatever you decide to do.

 

 

Our timeframe: 2 adults, 3 children (11,10,8)

 

Vettasses Dec 08

Applied for SA SS Apr 09 received Jun 09

IELTS Jun 09

Visa Applied for Jul 09

C Officer appointed Aug 09

Meds/PC Sep 09

Visa Granted Dec 09

[Guest Venna]

Hi

 

We came over on a 475 last year. Both had no issues getting jobs, I used the letter off the SA Gov't website, but OH didn't need to.

 

Recipricol Medicare is really good - you get back a good percentage of what you pay at the Doctors / Specialists, and pay nothing if you end up in A & E.

 

Never heard of any issues about going for the Permenant Visa, we're just making sure we have our payslips to prove we've worked for 12 months.

 

Good luck to you both.

 

Vikki

[Boxertony]

We are on a State Sponsorship 475 Visa and had no problems at all gaining employment both the wife and I have gained employment before we arrived and I have been offered another four jobs since I have arrived. See my previous post to give you an idea of what has happened to us in the first week of arrival. Please don't worry regarding employment especially in the health sector.

[coolerking]

We are considering applying for a 475 SA SS visa, but have a few burning concerns which we would appreciate some advice and opinions on before we make our mind up for certain.

 

Firstly has anybody found any problems or difficulties finding employment on a 475 visa due to the fact it is only temporary?

 

Are there any restrictions on healthcare for 475 visa holders? Or if you pay your insurances do you have the same entitlements?

 

We have the intention of going for permanent residency after 2 years as long as everything goes well. I know there are no guarantees but has anybody been rejected after holding a 475 visa and what were their reasons why?

 

Lots of questions but we would really appreciate any advice and any of your stories so far that could help us to make our decision.

 

We came on a PR visa and a prov/temp visa would have been a last resort. Now we're here, I would have done it without a worry as we have met loads of people thriving on 475's and those converted to PR.

 

Think the only issue I have heard of re going for PR is that the medical is more stringent - I could be getting the visa's mixed up though.

 

Best of luck,

Cooler

[Guest Nick11]

No Cooler meds are just the same.

We had no probs on a 475 and none at all in getting pr.

Only downside is you cant get help child care costs or claim child benifit- which can be a struggle for some.

[LaurenG]

Thank you everybody for your replies, it has given me more confidence. Much appreciated!

Those who have gone (are going over) on a 475 - Have you sold up and shipped things over whilst on this visa or would you recommend renting our place out and putting things in storage until we get permanent residency through?

I haven’t costed storage but shipping in one direction is expensive enough, without having to send it all back again. Lol!

[JHN5]

Hi

 

We are selling up (house on the market currently) and shipping most of our stuff. Planning to rent for 6 months to check out areas, internet and books research has been ok to identify areas that would suit us but we want to make sure. We've also got schools to look at. Shipping quite a lot of our things to help kids settle in. Planning to ship some paperwork separately by air freight and we have also asked for storage prices as we will probably have to use that until we have bought somewhere.

 

Just realised this sounds a bit bullet pointy. Sorry.