I arrived in Australia on a student visa in 2012, from Peru. I lived in Brisbane where I started my English class and later my Master’s in Business & Accounting. My objective in Australia was improving my English and professional development. For these first 3 years I was completely immersed in my study. During these first years, I lived in Brisbane and I enjoyed the lifestyle; however, not all was easy, get a work, try to understand a new language and stay far from home make the things hard but I have one objective and keep pushing forward.
When I completed my studies, I applied for a 485-graduate visa.
With my graduate visa still in process, I applied by accident for a job in a hotel in Darwin; I got a quick reply for an interview the next day. I lived in Brisbane and I took the decision to go and try a new life in a different place. I left Brisbane behind, a city that I still love for better options and stability. 2016 was a complicated year for me. Many bad decisions and sadly I trusted in one migration agency that didn’t help me. One Hotel that originally offered me full time plus sponsor options betrayed me. Living in Darwin was hard at the beginning, adapting to a new place, working in many places and especially the weather. Where I came from, in Peru, is cold and Darwin is hot, even hotter than Brisbane!
In 2017 I got a call from ARRCS for an interview, I didn’t remember applying but for many years I applied for hundreds of jobs and any luck for administrative positions. At the beginning I thought don’t go because I considered a waste of time and lose one working day. However, one friend forced me to go and that was what changed my whole life. During the interview 3 candidates suppose to attend, however, only me came that day, for protocol in that case they have to re-schedule the interview, but that day they decide to do with me alone. I finally got a chance to show my skills. I got that job and started two days after. I felt extremely happy, my fist job in something I studied. I worked with them for 8 months before they approved me for a 457 sponsor (now called a 482 visa). I contact with my agent again but here is where I made a huge mistake.
ARRCS approved my sponsor, they contacted with my agent, but the process was extremely slow because they didn’t reply to my company or took several days for an answer. Months passed and sadly the Government eliminated the 457 and my agent never told me nothing until it was too late. I lost the sponsorship option, and they wanted me to apply for a student visa. I prefer to return back to my country Peru to prepare a new plan, visit my family after 6 years and refresh myself. I returned to Peru in June 2018 where a new chapter in my life began.
In Peru I met Evelyn, my now wife. We knew each other before, we even were in the same classroom for a time without knowing. She was my sister’s close friend, we fall in love and in 2019 we plan to back to Australia, I will come first because she was still doing her professional year to get her Nurse Registration. For that reason, I returned to Australia under a student visa, Because I work in an aged care, I choose to study Community Care Case Manager and Project Manager.
I could return to my old job in ARRCS and choose a new migration agent that a friend recommended. This agent shows me a plan that was unachievable and it was a waste of time and money. I want my future wife to come around this time but there were many issues and the pandemic started.
2020 began with the Covid19 and work and study were complicated, In my personal life, especially with respect to my wife, we have to deal with the distance, with the unknown of when we will be able to see each other again, when the borders will be re-opened or if any of us could be affected by the Covid. It was a hard time, I lost many family members during those years/
My HR manager knew my case, and he recommended Julie from Migration Downunder. I made contact with her and she prepared a plan that I follow, first get a 408 Visa to continue working and in November 18 my company approved my sponsorship. Migration Downunder followed the whole process and helped me to include my wife, to my 482 visa. It took time but all was successful and my wife and me keep working together in our objectives.
Finally, around April 2025 my organisation accepts to renew my sponsorship and Migration Downunder start to work on my 186 Visa, The process was quick, and they prepared everything and in June 27 we apply. Eleven months later the same day of my cat’s birthday (May 11) and a few days before my birthday I received a call in the afternoon with a wonderful, good news! My Visa 186 was approved and granted!!
My initial reaction was surprise and an unreal feeling. It has been a long travel since my arrival in Brisbane 14 years ago, all things I did, the study, the tests, many work places and jobs, indifferent places, always aiming to develop myself and achieve my objectives. Many years far from family, many loses during Covid time, many tears for frustrated plans and at the same time happiness to find my soulmate, our life together and finally the end of this chapter of my life.
For the following days I feel a relief and look back all things happened. I thanks to God and all people who was behind me giving their support. My wife, my parents, my co-workers and Julie and the team of Migrations Downunder. All play a role in my story and all of them help me to arrive where I am now. Now we are making new plans, we have new objectives. We are writing the next chapter of our life.
My experience with Migration Downunder all these years has been very positive, they help me in each stage, guide with each document, they provide me options and alternatives when my situation changes. I am extremely happy with their services, I trust in their knowledges and how they make their work and show that they care about me. I think this is one of the most important things.
For now, I am continuing in my role with ARRCS and living in Darwin, the top end of Australia!