MS Health Condition with State Sponsored Visa

Hey all.

I have been thinking about moving to Australia possibly in approximately a year or 2 realistically. I visited for 3 months a few years back and fell in love with the country. I have enough points to get in the country with a State Sponsored Visa where I would like to move to Brisbane. I have a University degree, no criminal record and good health standing so I have no doubt I will be approved.

HOWEVER, my girlfriend who would like to move with me has Multiple Sclerosis, and im very worried that she will not pass the health test to be approved for a Visa as well. Does anybody or has anybody gone through the testing and known anybody who has been approved or rejected because they had MS?

On top of that she has not completed College or University, so she will not have enough points to be approved for the State Sponsored Visa. There is no way around this I am aware of other than for me to go over on a State Sponsored Visa, work for a year and apply for a Full VISA(Cant remember the proper name). Than if im approved could have her come over with me as her sponsor. Again anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks

I think both visas will have the same health criteria. I know for sure that the permanent skilled visa (175) has a health criteria for all people on the application. I'm not sure if MS is something that would cause her (and as a result the whole application) to fail. It really comes down to how much each individual case will cost the Australian health system.

To be honest this really isn't a question that you will probably get answered on the internet. You'll likely have to consult with an agent and possibly have to pay for this advice. This doesn't mean you'd need to use them for the application, although with something this specialized you might want to.

Your best bet is to ask the question on this forum:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32
There is a lot more activity on there and there are some really knowledgable people and agents who frequent that website.

Sorry I can't answer your question. I do know quite a bit about the visa process but for specific medical issues it's really hard to comment on. I hope you get good news though.

-- Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:30 pm --

I should also note that if you want to include her on your application you'd have to have been living together for at least 12 months, and have some sort of evidence to prove your relationship (joint accounts, bill statements, photos, etc).

If you qualify for any of these visas on your own (points, experience, etc) then you could include your girlfriend on your application provided she's lived with you for 12 months. It wouldn't matter what education or experience she has. If you needed the extra points then it would be a different story.

For example, we came out on a permament skilled independent (175) visa and my husband met all the criteria on his own. The kids and I were just included on the application and it didn't matter what I did for a living. We did have to have police checks and medicals as well though.

Thank you very much i really appreciate your response. Its good to know about the living situation and proof of our relationship prior in order to have her included in my application. Neither of us have police records so I know that part wont be a problem.

I was worried that the question of MS specifically may be something I would have to pay for advice by a third party and was trying to avoid doing so before I took the thought of applying seriously. Thank you for the link to the British site, I will definately pose the same question there.

I would like to know if she will be approved prior to deciding 100% if I want to move there so I dont get my hopes up. Also so I dont pay for the visa process to have it rejected because of this medical issue.

Thanks for your help:):)

Unfortunately, I have to say that I would be pretty shocked if your girlfriend was allowed to migrate to Australia. I am not an expert on the heath assessment (although I did undergo one) but having lived here for a few years, I have seen cases rejected for similar issues. As the previous poster said, you will probably have to consult an agent to get a definitive answer, but just to tell you before, as you say, you get your hopes up of moving here... I would bet money that MS would exclude your girlfriend from acceptance to the country, even on a temporary working visa.

Also, you should be aware that just because you meet the points requirement does not mean that 1) the state will agree to sponsor you, and 2) your immigration application will be successful even if they DO agree to sponsor you. Due to the "global financial cricis", Australia has reduced its number of skilled immigration slots, and you will be judged on your education, job experience, and whether or not your nominated career is in demand. Work is VERY slim in many many sectors at the moment in Oz, and it's very difficult to be accepted.

Good luck!

From a healthcare perspective MS is $$$ because of all the drugs and therapy it requires. Since the PBS subsidizes the cost of pharmaceticals for Australia she would impose a significant cost to the taxpayer.

However that doesn't necessarily mean she will not get the PR...but as everyone above has said you are better off consulting with an expert on this issue.