Perhaps one of the hardest things you’ll have to deal with when moving from the U.S. to another country is the act of looking for employment. However, before you can even legally work in the country, you must first apply for the proper visas. There are several work visas to consider, but you’ll need to fit the criteria for whichever one you choose to apply for.

It is always smart to hire a migration agent when it comes to applying for work visas or any form of citizenship in the country. They will have the experience and knowledge of dealing with these processes, making them much easier for you to abide by. The laws of another country can easily be confusing to anyone who has no familiarity and it’s extremely important that you follow these laws if you wish to gain residency in the nation.

Applying for a Work Visa

There are a large variety of work visas available to expats looking for work in Australia. Fortunately, you can hire professionals to help you with this process or you can do a little research on your own so that you understand the requirements of each visa.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Training visa (subclass 407)
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
Australian Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)- for expats between the ages of 18 to 30 years old.

Job Hunting in the Land Down Under

Job hunting in a foreign nation is never an easy thing to do. Luckily, Australia keeps an updated list of occupations calling for professionals in different fields. These jobs are available to U.S. citizens and other non-natives with the proven skill sets and experience needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the job listed. The work visa you apply for will depend heavily on what job title you hold in the nation.

As a newcomer to Australia you might find that there are many barriers to overcome especially those involving verbal miscommunication, before you can land a job. With a positive attitude, patience and the right skill sets to fulfill the responsibilities of the positions you apply for, it shouldn’t be too difficult to land a job. Some people prefer to apply for positions while still located in the U.S. while others choose to move to Australia before they apply for jobs. If possible, it’s better to apply for jobs after you settle into the new nation so that you are present for any interviews or meetings required.

Many nations will have programs and communities for expats to join. Joining one will prove very helpful. Some even have programs to help place expats in housing and jobs so that they can begin living as the natives do. Take advantage of any programs over communities you may find for newcomers to the country. It’s also a great way to network and meet people from all over the world that have come to the country of Australia just like you.