There is no better way to wrap up the year than by sharing an inspiring story from one of our ongoing client cases.
In this blog post, we are going to share a bit of Jane's journey. The many ups and downs did not stop her from following her heart and fighting towards her dream of becoming a Permanent Resident in Australia.
If you are already living in Australia, you can probably relate to many of the challenges that Jane has faced, and if you are still in your home country planning your next big move, take this opportunity to learn some do’s and don’ts from Jane’s experience. Not all migration stories start off with the intention to migrate, but as you’ll see, sometimes a decision leads to unforgettable experiences.
“It was never my plan to migrate to Australia, and now I’m on my way to becoming a PR. Follow your dreams; it’s totally worth it!”
To see how Jane got to this point, we have to travel back in time to New Year’s Eve 2015.
We welcome you to join us on a trip down Jane's memory lane. Sit back, relax, and buckle up because we're in for a bumpy ride!
Australia, a country on Jane’s bucket list
When the clock struck midnight and the year 2016 began, a friend asked Jane the question on everyone’s mind, "what’s on your 2016 bucket list?" The answer was short and disappointing.
"Nothing, I haven't made a list at all".
The conversation stuck with Jane, so she rolled up her sleeves and got writing. The end result: a list of goals for the year ahead. Jane was 25, had been working in the same company for eight years and was yearning for a new experience, but she knew if she wanted to start ticking things off her list, she would have to do something drastic. After the holidays, Jane resigned.
The decision to study abroad was an easy one. "I had never been out of my state. I had never been on a plane. I didn't have any friends who'd been on a plane. Still, I thought it'd be great to study in another country."
So, she was going abroad! But, abroad to where, exactly? After researching her options and learning she could work whilst she studied, Jane settled on Australia. "I had a limited budget, so working would be essential." Decision made. First stop: Gold Coast, QLD.
Gold Coast: A student journey that took forever
As a teenager, Jane was passionate about the English language. "I had this dream to study in an English speaking country and really learn the language. By coming to Australia, I realised teen Jane's dream."
What was supposed to be a six-month study trip quickly became five years. "After studying English for a semester, I extended my student visa with a two-year vocational (VET) course". By the time the course ended, Australia had won Jane’s heart and she was determined to stay. She looked for a Migration lawyer to plan her next (and hopefully last) student visa, with permanent migration in mind. "He told me I had a better chance of staying if I moved to Tasmania, so I did."
Hobart: A small city of big opportunities
Once again, Jane packed up all of her belongings, said goodbye to her friends and took the leap. It was worth it: Tasmania was love at first sight. Jane felt at home, surrounded by mountains, beaches and breathtaking landscapes. She quickly realised that things were nothing like what she had been expecting. "I was scared before moving. People had told me Tasmania was too cold, the job market was tough and finding a place to live was hard. What I experienced was the exact opposite. I've always had plenty of options."
Jane’s Photo: Hobart
With her eyes firm on the prize, Jane started preparing the documents for her skills assessment. The first step in applying for the transitional visa 491 was to obtain a positive skills assessment recognising her profession and experience in Brazil.
Skills Assessment: The Negative Outcome
We know that starting the skills assessment process is one of the 4 biggest enemies of the migration journey and for financial reasons, Jane decided to go it alone. This strategy kept her bank balance going up, but soon brought her world crashing down. Her skills assessment was negative.
"I felt so desperate, but luckily some friends referred me to 4Migration. As Rob went through my application, he pointed out what I had to improve, and reworked the whole thing with me." The result: a positive skills assessment. "I could start to see my dream coming true."
Contacting an expert was the right decision
Although Jane’s skills assessment was successful with 4Migration’s support, she found a different migration agent to work on her visa application. By this time, Jane had met Rodrigo, her other half. Losing faith in the migration agent they were using, the couple requested 4Migration’s services once again.
It’s quite common at 4Migration to be contacted by clients who are not confident in the way they’ve been looked after by other migration services providers. We understand starting the process all over again can feel counterproductive, but in this case, we recommend you be practical, and don’t think twice when your dream is on the line. You need to find a professional who understands you and will support you throughout your migration journey. Fortunately, that is exactly what Jane did! The light was still shining on her path of possibilities.
"I booked another appointment and was very honest. They were happy that we had decided to come back to 4Migration and created a strategy that was pretty much the opposite of what the other agent had suggested. We trusted them, and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. 4Migration is unique because they really tailor strategies for each person. It's not a one size fits all kind of place."
Fighting Together: There is no lockdown for love
We all know true love doesn’t always fit neatly into our plans, but we also know not to dismiss it when it comes knocking. Jane’s case was no different and in a heartbeat she redefined her migration strategy all over again.
Jane and Rodrigo Photo: Wedding Day in Tasmania
Jane embraced the challenge of adding Rodrigo to her visa strategy. Australia’s strict criteria can put unimaginable pressure on relationships, and in addition, lockdowns and border restrictions delayed Rodrigo’s arrival in Tasmania. Despite these hurdles, “Rob and the 4Migration team supported us throughout the whole process. They always gave us peace of mind and reassurance."
The greater the storm, the brighter the rainbow
Just two months after submitting her 491 application, Jane received a nomination and is now on a bridging visa. She has access to Medicare, works full time and has recently been promoted (again!). As Rodrigo continues to study on his current student visa, the couple is planning their future and Jane is confident. "I know I don’t have the visa yet, but I feel like I can finally focus on other things in my life. It feels different."
Jane's final words of wisdom: "I only caused myself more trouble by not choosing 4Migration after my skills assessment. Don't make the same mistake I did; just go straight to the right people! They're the best and are always on top of everything."
At 4Migration it's an honour to assist every single one of our clients to make their dreams come true. We're here to help make your future in Australia as smooth and stress-free as possible. To see how we can help you, book an appointment today - click here.