Things I wish I knew before I made the move!

1) Travel and explore.

Once you step into the land of your destiny, you will feel it deep in your bones!

As a 23-year-old student and entrepreneur, my business reached 8 European countries. However, it wasn’t enough for me. I was invited to join a business trip to Australia. Yes, you read correctly. It wasn’t Austria! It was Australia! I couldn’t believe it! It was almost like a travel to the moon for me. The flight took about 30 hours, and I was standing on the land of kangaroos and koalas. Brisbane was my final flight destination. I instantly fell in love with everything! The unlimited sun, ocean breeze, and tropical animals. I was in heaven.

After all, my holiday was supposed to be only 12 days. Altogether, I started feeling like I didn’t want to leave. Panicked, I asked the resorts if they were looking for staff despite the struggle. Indeed, I realized that it would take a lot of work. Afterward, I flew home in the hope that I could come back as quickly as possible.

 2) Try your luck and get ready for the unexpected.

Visit several places and explore which city suits you the best. 

I didn’t take no for an answer! Ready to return to Australia after four months. I worked hard to save 200,000 CZK. This is how much Australian Immigration required me to have in my bank account to re-enter Australia for my next holiday. I was trying my luck. Ready for a new adventure, I began my journey. I arrived in Australia again on 30th June 2015 in Alice Springs. Gaining three months’ travel visas that cost me 1000 CZK helped me to calm down. At this point, the Czech Republic needed the option to apply for work and holiday visas like other European countries. I joined a local family who took me to unique places like Uluru, Kings Canyon, and Kata Tjuta. I remember waking up to a sky on fire and feeling freedom. After two months in Alice Springs, I left to travel to Darwin.

3) Get familiar with your environment. 

Make friends with locals who show you around. Find out your visa options and follow up on the opportunities. 

Here was necessary to extend my travel visa for another six months. I remember providing the government with my travel plans and location. While in Darwin, I met a few locals who took me on bush trips: fishing, hunting, swimming to waterfalls, etc. The wild experiences in nature were my favorite. After two months in Darwin, I left for Sydney. One of the guys from Darwin became close to me and traveled to Sydney twice in 2 months to see me. Just before I planned to leave home, he proposed me to stay in Darwin with him. I found an agency for students in Sydney, and from the last money I paid, I had a super expensive English school in Darwin that guaranteed me a year’s worth of student visas.

4) Get your visa and settle in. Try to survive! The first year is always the hardest!

Take everything day by day and be very patient. Have faith! Get help if needed. You are not in this alone!

At the start, it felt almost impossible to live. I had to pay 7500 AUD for my study, including a six-month visa. Because of my full-time student limitations, I could only work 20 hours per week for $25 per hour. My school was five days weekly for 8 hours. I had no time to do anything else. Also, finances were very tight. I was suddenly a second-class citizen on a budget. I was stubborn and didn’t want to give up. Without support from my partner at that time, It would be impossible to stay. I am forever grateful.

My visa was running short and I had to figure out what is the next step. I looked for a sponsorship 457 visa. Thanks to a diploma in hospitality and years of experience from my agency. I found a business that was happy to sponsor me. I got a position as a bar supervisor and a visa that cost me AUD 1000. This visa lasted four years. However, I had to stay with the same employer. After six months of working long hours, walking on average 20 km 6 days weekly at work, I was exhausted. I realized this differs from my goals. I became depressed.

5) Find out what works for you.

At this point, you have exhausted your easy options. If you cannot sustain your living arrangements, you can look for other ways to stay with more freedom. 

Many people have only one choice: wait until their employer approves their permanent residency. That can be a long and exhausting journey. I had a different idea. I was with my partner for over a year and could apply for a partner visa. That way I would be free to work where I want and even start my business again. It was the ultimate perfect solution, I thought. This visa is incredibly hard to get. Proving a relationship and paying another AUD 7000 was next. It took a year and a half to get this visa approved. I could get better work but I was limited to leaving the country. My relationship was also turning sideways. I realized that no matter what you commit to, it will turn out against you. After several tricky months, I had no choice but to move out and leave my relationship.

6) Stay safe and look after yourself no matter what the situation.

Nothing is worth your mental health and safety! Find professional help and discuss the situation with a Lawyer. 

I was lucky to find a brilliant Migration agent, Brian Kelleher, who assisted me in a problematic immigration debacle. Proving that my relationship was toxic and impossible to sustain was difficult. I was, in ways, scared of my mental and physical health being present at home. I managed to collect 166 pages of evidence. After several visits to psychologists and counselors, I finally got the needed paperwork to help me stay and get my residency. Without my lawyer, Brian, I wouldn’t be here today! I strongly recommend contacting him if you are in any problematic immigration situation. After a long wait, I got my residency visa approved. Becoming an Australian Resident was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Also one of the most rewarding and life-saving experiences. Today, I feel like I can survive anything.

Please feel free to contact my lawyer, Brian Kelleher, if you are having any immigration difficulties.

He truly cares about his clients and will do everything he can to help you reach your goals:

Website: https://kellehermigration.com.au

Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/brian-kelleher-a24b4313

 

Was it all worth it? Absolutely!

My visa, study expenses, and additional costs of the whole process are AUD 42,000. My mental health investment was a massive part of the struggle. Living in uncertainty teaches you to appreciate moments in life and patience. However, I live now in one of the world’s best countries. I dreamed of staying in a beautiful apartment in the tropics with three pools overlooking the ocean. Doing my business in a friendly community is one of the most incredible things in my life. I met my partner, who is coincidentally also from Eastern Europe, and we had the best relationship as we went through the same journey. We both can appreciate the benefits this country provides us with. After eight years, I am finally at the end of my trip. Today, I am living my dream!