In response to your article ‘British recruiters return from Oz’ (recruiter.co.uk, 17 July), although it is true some recruiters who were sponsored on 457 visas may have returned home over the past six months, due to not being able to find new roles, the businesses that have the eligibility to sponsor people are still continuing to do this for the candidates with the right skill set.

It would be wrong to indicate that companies are looking to hire an abundance of overseas recruiters as was true 12 months ago due to the buoyant economy and shortage. Preference has always been for local hires with domestic experi-ence and contacts, but there is still a shortage, hence why some companies will hire overseas consultants.

The criteria to get a 457 business visa as a recruitment consultant (personnel consultant is the official classification) has not changed but companies are having to further justify why the visa applicant is an essential hire. Because unemployment has increased, the government is understandably keen to ensure that visas are not being granted when there are suitable applicants who are permanent residents.

The extra information that companies are having to provide means that visas are taking longer to process; the longest we have experienced
over the past six months is 10 weeks.

In conclusion, at present the only UK candidates we can assist are those who are in a position to interview face to face in Australia.

Robin Clarke
Director, JPA Asia Pacific