Scottish expatriate Caitlin Fraser, who has lived in Australia since 2019, is facing the distressing possibility of deportation due to a two-week gap in her employment. Initially moving on a Working Holiday Maker visa, she later obtained a Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa with the hope of transitioning to permanent residency. After successfully securing sponsorship from a Sydney restaurant as a manager, she encountered unexpected visa changes that jeopardised her plans.
Fraser’s TSS visa was granted in September 2023, with the understanding that she could apply for a Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) visa after two years of work. However, due to new regulations implemented in May 2024, she was informed that she cannot renew her current visa or apply for a TRT visa, as restaurant manager is no longer deemed an eligible occupation. This alteration means she will be forced to leave Australia when her visa expires, just shy of the necessary two-year employment requirement.
Despite investing around $14,000 in her current visa, Fraser struggles with rising costs and the pressure of imminent displacement. She expressed her anxieties, emphasising her attachment to Australia where she has family, a home, and a dog. Fraser’s situation has sparked frustration, particularly as she believes the changes to the visa system should only affect new applicants rather than those already navigating the process.
Fraser’s family has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to aid in covering the significant costs associated with applying for the TRT visa, which could exceed $9,000. As she navigates this difficult situation, she remains unsure of her next steps, fearing that without legal work for those crucial two weeks, her dream of permanent residency may slip away, leaving her without a place to call home.