Gopana’s Story – 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
I am from Denmark, born to Sri Lankan parents and now here I am in Australia!
I first flew into Perth in July 2016 on a student visa having completed my Bachelor of Medicine with Industrial Specialisation in Denmark. I studied a Masters of Biomedical Science (Neuroscience) at the University of Western Australia.
On the back of this study I applied and was granted a Subclass 485 Graduate Visa. I moved from Perth to Sydney and still remain living in Sydney.
I first met the team at Migration Downunder when my employer put us together to see what my future options were with my visa as it was rapidly coming to an end. Not only was my visa expiring but we were in the midst of a pandemic. It was a stressful time of not knowing what my future in Australia was going to look like.
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to give a huge thanks to the amazing team at Migration Downunder. Alice, Julie and Madhu were amazing throughout the whole process of applying for my Permanent Residency, and was always responding promtly even when least expected. Highly professional and on top of everything, they sinply allowed me to have the most smooth joirney through an otherwise turbulent experience with covid and ineligibility to other type of visa. I would highly recommend the loveliest people at Migration Downunder – you will be successful.”
Thankfully I was given a strategic pathway that would allow me to remain working with my current employer as well as gaining Australian permanent residency. A win for both my employer and myself and Alice was able to guide me through the process including my skills assessment that I required prior to being able to lodge my visa application.
I applied for a Subclass 186 Employer Nominated visa through the Direct Stream.
I was one of the lucky ones that my visa didn’t take long to be granted; it was lodged in September 2021 and approved on 5 January 2022. Happy New Year to me!
I will be forever grateful for my employer who saw the value in sponsoring me and giving me the opportunity of finally being able to call Australia home. It is very reassuring having that sense of belonging and security of being able to remain here in Australia.
Now that I am an Australian permanent resident, I have plans to work in Australia for a few more years and see what the future holds. I am incredibly grateful to the empowering women at Migration Downunder for helping me and encouraging me throughout this process.
