If you are a foreign national who wishes to work and live in Australia, you will need to apply for an be awarded a 457 temporary business visa. A 457 visa is normally valid for 4 years and is usually used by oversea workers who are sponsored by an employer. Below is a guide to the process of applying for a 457 visa.

Eligibility 

In order to apply for a 457 visa, you will need to have an employer who is willing to sponsor you. If you do not have an employer, you will be required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Australian Department of Immigration. This will allow prospective employers to review your details and potentially offer sponsorship.

How the 457 visa process works

The process of the issuing a 457 visa is comprised of three stages:

Sponsorship

Australian employers apply to sponsor overseas workers. Once the Australian government has approved an employer's sponsorship status, an employer has the legal right to hire overseas workers to fill vacant positions within their company or business.

Nomination

The employer will nominate a person which they wish to sponsor to fill a certain position. The employer is required to offer a minimum salary and to request that applicant meet certain minimum skill requirements and holds the relevant professional qualifications.

Visa Application

The foreign worker who has been nominated to fill the position fills out the 457 visa application form. The worker will be required to demonstrate that the possess the relevant skills and professional qualifications to carry out the position they have been nominated for. If successful, the applicant must be hired at the minimum salary listed on the employer's nomination. The applicant will also have to meet health and good character requirements.

The Benefit of a 457 Visa

A big benefit of the 457 visa is that you can include close family, such as your partner and children, in the application process. Your children also have the right to attend Australian schools. While you are limited to working for the employer who has provided sponsorship, other adult family members are free to undertake any form of employment.

If you have any questions about the 457 Visa program, you should contact an immigration attorney. They will be able to answer any questions or queries that you may have and can also help to guide you through the application process.