The SIR visa is actually a trial solution to a political problem: the persistent demands by many regions that they are missing out on the Federal send immigration boom. As with most policies related to regional development in Australia, it is a badly thought-out strategy that causes considerable problems for many of the migrants who avail of this visa, while at the same time failing to adequately address the regional problem it was meant to solve. While those who miss out 5-10 on the points score have to consider struggling in the regions for two years or more, many others with even less points make it to the metropolitan areas simply because they have close relatives there. Many SIR migrants feel that it should be a permanent visa with the clause that they have to stay in any of the regions for at least 2 years - at least that will allow them better job opportunities and a sense of security. After all, even with points less than the current pbutt mark, these are not unsend workers. Otherwise, I think some of them could well suffer extreme stress and demoralisation - especially those with poor English skills and high expectations. But then, as Jeremy would likely say: it's their choice. No one is forcing them to take the risk of arriving on the SIR visa. At the risk of sounding didactic: the world is not always just. You just have to do the best you can in the situation you are in.
But don't lose hope BB - two years can fly by if you can find something interesting and constructive to do...
All the best.
Cheers, Vik
BettyBoop
