Visa Type
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Decision Date
10 Jul 2023
Case Summary
The applicant, a 42-year-old single mother from Anhui, China, initially contacted our company with the desire to immigrate to Australia. Despite facing challenges such as limited English proficiency and being over 45 years old, she successfully secured a 189 Skilled Independent visa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a background in nursing, the applicant had previously held a managerial position in China. After resigning from her job, she obtained a student visa and found employment at an aged care facility in Australia. While working, she pursued further qualifications and obtained the Caregiver Practitioner Certificate.
Facing time constraints due to the impending expiration of her visa, and ineligibility for other visas, including the Skilled Independent and State Sponsorship options, she applied for the 408 Temporary Activity visa for the second time. Recognizing her unique circumstances, we proposed a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) employer-sponsored visa and encouraged her to negotiate with her employer.
The applicant’s employer initially hesitated to sponsor a DAMA visa, but with our guidance and the applicant’s strong recommendation, they eventually agreed. The process, however, took over three months, involving numerous meetings to address the employer’s concerns and secure their cooperation.
Throughout the process, challenges arose, including the applicant’s son reaching 18 years old and expressing a desire to work rather than continue studying. Despite these challenges, the son eventually decided to pursue further education at a technical institute to enhance his skills.
After overcoming various hurdles, including miscommunications with the state government and amendments to the nomination file, we successfully lodged the nomination and visa applications with only three weeks left before the visa expiry. Five months later, the family was granted a 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.
This case underscores the complexity of employer-sponsored visas and the need for meticulous planning and communication. Despite the obstacles, the applicant’s determination and our strategic approach resulted in a successful outcome.
