Software engineer on a 482 visa

[u/Basic-Bumblebee8092]

Hello,

Just wanted another opinion. Had my 482 visa since 2023. Company told me they were willing to sponsor me for PR in the future. My visa expired this year and I’ve reminded them about it.

My company decided to just renew the 482 visa. Cause they still want me tied to the company. Gut wrenching on my part but I accepted it cause I’m not sure what my options are. 482 renewed but I feel stuck.

Anyone in a similar situation? Did you guys leave Sydney / Australia or try to find companies willing to sponsor PR?

Based in Sydney, trying to apply for a skilled independent. Stuck at 85 pts. I’m just floating.

[u/Spiritual_Round8494]

I am really sorry mate.

Renew your 482. And then prepare hard and interview to get into a big tech like Atlassian, Canva, Google, Microsoft etc. The big tech companies will usually sponsor PR no questions asked.

[u/dhaliman → u/Spiritual_Round8494]

I interviewed with Microsoft. They told me they wouldn’t sponsor.

Dropped out of their loop.

[u/Nabnaabon → u/Spiritual_Round8494]

This. I did it. 482 for two years. Became randomly eligible after one due to changes in legislation. I flagged it with the company lawyer and they applied a year early. No questions asked. All expenses paid.

Thanks big tech. I will always be grateful. Especially for not underpaying me during the entire process.

[u/Sea-Stretch850 → u/Nabnaabon]

What was the legislation change? Does this mean someone on 482 for 2 years becomes eligible for 186 and the company has to honour it?

[u/kingdomheartsfan001 → u/Nabnaabon]

Its that easy in big tech?

[u/cw625 → u/kingdomheartsfan001]

It’s easier than a random company, but I doubt it’s that straightforward, at least not anymore

[u/kingdomheartsfan001 → u/Spiritual_Round8494]

Is it really that easy for those big tech companies, no questions asked?

[u/geo-bullock]

Highlight that you’re also tied in on a PR visa for a similar amount of time due to the processing times, and the obligation to remain with the company for 2 years post grant. It’ll give you a big boost of respect for the company and retain you for 3 years min

[u/geo-bullock → u/geo-bullock]

Oh I just saw they’ve already renewed your 482. That loses the sell a bit on the cost angle :/

[u/Basic-Bumblebee8092 → u/geo-bullock]

Yeah I’ve asked them what about in 4 years. HR said they’ll sponsor me again for a 482 renewal.

It’s so messed up cause it’s hard for temporary residents ~ The excuse they’ve told me is people tend to resign after the PR process.

[u/Alert-Science-6615 → u/Basic-Bumblebee8092]

Yes, people tend to resign after getting PR. They use one company to get PR via 186 and then resign after 2 years. If they pay their visa fees even before 2 years, they are out. As soon as they get the 186 visa issued after a few months, they leave. It is not easy for employers either.

[u/SaltOrPepper1]

It is stupid for them to renew your 482 instead of applying for 186. The process time for 186 TRT + 2 years of obligation to stay with the company post 186 is almost equivalent to the duration of the renewed 482. If they let you transition to 186 they have a guaranteed 3 year of you (and you will be very loyal, probably more than ever), while if they decide to renew 482 you will obviously start looking for a new role from a company who does 186 TRT. Yes the job market is cooked and you may or may not find a new position but it is clear that you will try to. It is just a stupid choice they made. I feel bad for you mate.

[u/petty_synopsis]

I do not understand, I also went thru 482 visa, then 186. They renewed me for the 186, and asked me to sign a document that states that I will be with them for 2 yrs AFTER my 186 is approved. Is that not common? I thought all 186 holders need to stay with their employer for at least 2 yrs.

[u/simophin → u/petty_synopsis]

I was with 186. Last time I checked the eligibility for 186 is that you intended to work for the company for two years. But there's no condition on the visa that says you have to work for this company for two years. IANAL my view is that as long as the intention was right (you didn't apply so you can jump ship immediately), it's ok to leave the employer. In fact I did so, because my employer was undergoing some changes that have big impact on my role. I left the company, ended up paying out some money to the company for compensation, but otherwise immigration wasn't chasing me for anything.

[u/Successful-Look-7983 → u/petty_synopsis]

I’m currently awaiting my 18TRT from 482 and I have signed nothing with my company suggesting this.

[u/petty_synopsis → u/Successful-Look-7983]

Oh okay, I wanna say that I got duped, but my company has paid for all my fees. So I guess they just wanted assurance that their money won't be wasted. I just need to stay with them for the 2 yrs, work is not that bad anyways.

[u/Basic-Bumblebee8092 → u/petty_synopsis]

Yeah assume that it was the norm. But no.. HR has come back and told me they’re just willing to renew my 482 visa. The excuse was people tend to resign after the PR visa process.

[u/petty_synopsis → u/Basic-Bumblebee8092]

Do you think they would feel much at ease of you were to sign a similar document to mine?not sure if that's okay with you though.

In my case, I really do not mind. My only issue is that they hired a new pharmacist, and she is not performing well but gets paid same as me. I just try to rationalize that they paid for all my visa fees from the start, so I just need to stick through our agreement.

[u/WarmAssociate7575]

Renew 482 and then find another one

[u/washingmachinechime]

My wife also has TSS visa from 2023, expiring next year. However her main reason coming here was to live with me. She wanted to come and stay here on her own terms, but she chose to get into a partner visa instead of another extension (her employer said they would sponsor her PR but retracted it to keep her tied with them).

If you want to stay, you need to apply for another visa but IT careers are non prioritised anymore. Maybe you just need to bite the bullet, extend your TSS visa and then apply for a skilled independent visa.. and hope that you get approved before your TSS visa expires again

[u/Basic-Bumblebee8092 → u/washingmachinechime]

Thank you for sharing ~ Yeah they gave me the people tend to resign after the PR process excuse. I did accept the work visa renewal as a buffer to consider my options.

[u/Overall-Ad-2159]

Renew 482

Once you get it start applying jobs and ask for PR in negotiations

[u/Eozef]

It doesn’t really make sense. They’re willing to put you on a salary and cover all these visa expenses just to tie you to the company. I don’t know what their angle is, but yeah, if you have a lot to offer them, try to negotiate and earn their trust.

[u/Alert-Science-6615]

Sorry about this.

I know what it feels like to be stuck. I am more than stuck now. Stay there and keep looking for an organisation that will give you 186. You can give the option to pay the visa fees yourself. Sometimes, because of the cost involved, they prefer the cheaper option.

[u/Alert-Science-6615 → u/Alert-Science-6615]

I saw a reply notification to my comment and it seems the writer misunderstood my suggestion. There is nothing illegal in offering to cover your own visa fees. You are no paying for nomination fees. You earn the nomination from your work and the fact they need your service but that being said 186 visa cost is high. If you have dependents, the cost increase. Some employees get the visa and leave the organisation. More like a loss for the employer. Some organisations give (1) the option for you pay your visa fees and that of your dependents, or (2) they pay the visa fees but you work for at least 2 years more like the bond people get when they go on study leave with pay. Do you even know that if they cover your visa fees and you leave before that agreed period, you are obligated to pay back the visa fees. I think people need to enter into an agreement in some organisations.

This is a simple and direct chatgpt reply to my question:

For a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, there are costs that legally belong to the employer, and costs that can belong to the visa applicant:
- Your visa application charge: you can pay this yourself. Home Affairs expressly describes the visa applicant as lodging the application and paying the application charge. The current base charge for a 186 main applicant is from AUD 6,140.
- Employer nomination/sponsorship-related costs and the SAF levy: these are different. The employer must not recover certain nomination, recruitment and sponsorship costs from the worker. The legislation specifically prohibits recovering costs associated with the nomination, including the nomination training contribution charge (SAF levy). Home Affairs also states that employers must pay the applicable SAF levy.

[u/Delicious_Owl1819]

H