Yanks Moving Down Under

[Jeff Huxton]

I'm a retired American, divorced, and wondering how difficult it is for a Yank to relocate Down Under. I've heard it's not easy. Even so, in my last years, I'd like to give it a go. I wouldn't need a job, because I have retirement money, although I wouldn't mind doing some part time work.


Does any Aussie know any Yank WN's who have made the jump across the Pacific to The Lucky Country?


Thanks,


Jeff Huxton

[Br.IanVonTurpie]

For a long term stay , you will need to either have a skill and possibly a business sponsor. That skill must be in demand and needed... and a number of points for the immigration application, like if you have family there etc, English skills. This can be obtained from the Australian high Commission nearest to you.
Or you can marry an Australian/NZ citizen .Long process and expensive.

Or you can migrate to NZ and live there for 5 years. If you get citizenship and you havn't been in Gaol there 1 year + you can live in Australia.

Or if you have lots of money like over $1M and want to invest in a business the government will look into your application.
We do have a free trade deal with the US , I am not sure if there is a visa where you can come here and work on? You'd need to check.

You are allowed to visit 3 months each year and that is simple for Americans to do, there is an electric gate at the airport for Americans you can just swipe your passport , it photographs you , you then go to customs to declare any prohibited items. NZ also has the same deal for Americans.
Perhaps you are better off doing your 3 months here, going to NZ for your 3 months , doing some travelling around Asia, then come back on a tourist visa 9 months or so later?

[Br.IanVonTurpie]

If you are American and under 31 you can get a temporary work permit lasting 12 months . Doesn't sound like you.
So you need to look into this site to see if there is something you can pull off. Again if you are retired and working isn't a big deal plane fares are cheap now a trip to LA and back is like $1,000AUD  so you could be a tourist for 3 months, go to NZ 3 months, Asia a few months, then back to the US and do the same thing again the next year if you wanted to.
http://www.jobaroo.com/working-visa

[Rev.Cambeul]

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/Visa-listing Have a look in that list.

If you can't find anything suitable, then thick your lips, kink your hair and call yourself a jig - that'll get you in.