Are you on 457 Working Visa, do you need to wait for 2 years before applying for Permanent Residency?

NO, YOU DON’T NEED TO WAIT FOR 2 YEARS in order to apply for Permanent Residency.

It is a common misconception for 457 Visa holders that they need to wait for 2 years before they can apply for PR. If your employer sponsor is willing to sponsor you for Permanent Residency, they can do it anytime they want, even without waiting for 2 years. They even have the option to sponsor their overseas employees for Permanent Residency even before they set foot in Australia. 

Most companies wait for two years so that they can at least see if you can really do the job properly and also to protect their interest. Under Regional Skilled Migration Scheme, you are only obliged to work for your sponsor for 2 years after they sponsor you for Permanent Residency. When you are on 457 Visa, your employer also have more hold on your neck because your visa is at their mercy. They can terminate your services when they want to and if that happens, you will only have 90 days to find a new sponsor. If you will not get a new sponsor within 90 days, your 457 visa may be cancelled and you, and your dependents will be sent back to your home country. This fear usually makes 457 visa holders susceptible to exploitation. 

When you are on 457 Visa, always take note that your age is a big factor in getting Permanent Residency.Once your age reached 50, it will be very very difficult to apply for PR. Under the points test, substantial number of points will be deducted once you reached they age of 40.   Many 457 Visa holders loose the advantage of their age because they keep on waiting for the employers to sponsor them for PR. Some even become ineligible because they become over age while waiting. 

WHAT IF YOUR EMPLOYER DOESN’T WANT TO SPONSOR YOU?  If you can meet the required number of points for age, skills, qualification and English language ability, you can apply as independent or with State Sponsorship.