US Australia visa agreement fails

As reported by Nine MSN, it was once hailed as a terrific deal for Australians to find employment in the United States. However, less than 25% of the 10,500 E-3 visas offered exclusively to Australians every year are being used.

The visa was launched under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement in 2005, as the Howard Government promised it would offer Australian professionals an advantage over other expats competing for dream jobs in spots such as New York City and Silicon Valley.

The plan was for Aussies to gain valuable knowledge and work experience in the US which they would later apply to Australian companies or create new firms when they went back home.

However, according to the most recent data from the US State Department, just 2545 E-3 visas were distributed in the year leading up to October 2011, indicating a poor take-up rate during the six years since the visa was launched.

Immigration experts argue that it is not so easy for Australian job hunters. Unlike Americans who come to Australia on working holidays, Aussies must first secure a job offer from an American employer before being able to apply for the visa. These visas are limited to Australians holding university degrees who have been hired in a “specialised knowledge occupation”.