A practical guide for employers offering sponsorship visas

Sponsoring foreign workers can effectively address skills shortages, but it’s crucial to approach the process with realistic expectations. The total timeline from initial planning to having a worker on-site typically ranges from 4-6 months for straightforward cases, and potentially longer for more complex situations.

The complete timeline: a realistic overview

Initial planning phase (2-3 weeks)

• Assessing organisational needs
• Budgeting and cost estimation
• Preparing position documentation
• Meeting labour market testing requirements

Sponsorship application (2-4 weeks)

• Submitting the business sponsorship application
• Gathering necessary documentation
• Verifying compliance requirements

Candidate selection and assessment (4-8 weeks)

• Identifying suitable candidates
• Verifying skills and qualifications
• Conducting initial interviews and assessments
• Performing reference checks

Visa application process (8-12 weeks)

• Lodging the nomination
• Collecting candidate documentation
• Completing health and character checks
• Processing the visa application

Pre-arrival preparation (2-4 weeks)

• Arranging travel
• Planning accommodation
• Preparing for onboarding

Note: Processing times can vary significantly based on factors such as visa type, occupation category, and current Department of Home Affairs processing priorities.

Key factors affecting the timeline

Visa type selection Different visa types have varying processing times:

• Skills In Demand Visa: Average 3-4 months
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS): 12-18 months
• Labour Agreements: Can extend beyond 12 months

Industry and occupation Some occupations require additional assessments or registrations, which can extend the timeline:

• Engineering qualifications assessment
• Professional registration requirements
• Industry-specific compliance checks

Documentation readiness The speed of the process heavily depends on:

• Candidate’s document preparation
• Organisational documentation
• Response time to additional information requests

Common delays to consider

Labour market testing requirements

• Mandatory advertising periods
• Evidence collection and documentation

Skills assessment

• Professional body reviews
• Additional documentation requests
• Assessment processing times

Regulatory compliance

• Business sponsorship obligations
• Training benchmark requirements
• Salary level compliance

Planning for success

To optimise your timeline:

• Start Early: Begin planning at least 6 months before your target start date and consider all compliance requirements upfront.
• Maintain Documentation: Keep detailed records of all processes and ensure all organisational documents are current.
• Work with Professionals: Engage registered migration agents and partner with experienced recruitment specialists.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Build buffer time into your planning and communicate clearly with all stakeholders.

Budget considerations

Factor in all potential costs:

• Government application fees
• Professional services fees
• Recruitment costs
• Relocation assistance
• Training and onboarding expenses

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NexVentur’s unique recruitment and relocation service

As recruitment and relocation experts we offer our clients and end-to-end service:

• Access to our large database of Irish, UK and Australian candidates based locally and abroad
• Compiling job descriptions and advertising
• Pre secreening candidates
• Facilitating interviews
• Hosting open days to meet a range of pre-screened candidates in person
• Reference checks
• Ongoing communication and support

Factor in all potential costs:

• Government application fees
• Professional services fees
• Recruitment costs
• Relocation assistance
• Training and onboarding expenses

For professional assistance in navigating this process, contact NexVentur. Our team of recruitment experts are here to help streamline your foreign worker sponsorship journey.

Have a vacancy you need to fill or want to learn more? Simply fill in this form

As recruitment and relocation specialists, our services include:

• End-to-end recruitment service
• Advertising for candidates and assisting with job descriptions
• Access to our huge talent pool of Irish, Australian and UK candidates
• Pre-screening candidates
• Arranging interviews
• Face to face open dates where you can meet prospecive candidates
• Reference checks
• Regular communication and follow ups