Shabbo Amozegar, a Swedish migrant residing in Sydney, has accused his previous employer, Retailworld Resourcing, of improperly managing his Australian visa application. After receiving multiple reassurances regarding his visa status, Mr. Amozegar was ultimately informed that his application would not move forward.
Currently, Mr. Amozegar is awaiting the outcome of his student visa application, expressing concerns about potentially being barred from entering Australia. His allegations are supported by a series of documents, emails, and a WhatsApp conversation that illustrate a protracted ordeal in which Retailworld Resourcing repeatedly led him to believe that his visa nomination was on track, only to later retract their offer.
Mr. Amozegar holds a 482 Skills in Demand visa, which permits designated sponsors to nominate skilled migrants for positions that cannot be filled by Australian citizens. Correspondence reviewed by ABC News indicates that Mr. Amozegar was offered a recruitment consultant position last July, contingent upon the successful transfer of his visa, which was described as being in progress at that time. However, two weeks later, he received an email stating that his employment was dependent on the company obtaining approved sponsorship.
In November, Mr. Amozegar was taken aback when he received a termination letter stating that the Department of Home Affairs had denied the company’s nomination application. After inquiring further, he learned that he had not been nominated and that Retailworld’s application to become a sponsoring employer had been rejected. This situation inadvertently placed him in violation of the 180-day period designated for 482 visa holders to secure a new sponsor or visa after leaving a previous employer.
“In that moment, I realized I had inadvertently breached my visa, and I was left uncertain about my future,” Mr. Amozegar remarked, expressing that his primary desire is to remain in Australia.
His difficulties with Retailworld did not conclude with his termination. Mr. Amozegar claims he was advised to continue working for about a week in December, with promises that discussions about his visa nomination would resume in the following month. In January, when he reached out via WhatsApp for an update, expressing worries about his financial situation as he had not received payment since November, he was met with a dismissive response regarding his recent holiday in Queensland.
When he requested to communicate directly with a migration lawyer, he was informed that he would need to cover any associated costs. Nevertheless, he continued to receive assurances that his visa application process was ongoing. One message from a company representative stated, “We will figure it out, I’m sure of it.” However, after following up six days later, he was told that the staff member was struggling to find funds to facilitate the conversation regarding his visa.
Mr. Amozegar expressed his anxiety about the situation, conveying the emotional toll it was taking on him. The company then proposed that he pay $5,600 in “professional fees” for his visa application and nomination, while they would cover other associated professional and government costs. Under Australian regulations, employers are responsible for sponsorship and nomination fees, though employees can be asked to pay for their visa applications. To facilitate this, the company arranged a loan agreement for Mr. Amozegar.
“At that stage, I felt I had no choice but to agree to the loan because I desperately wanted my visa to be processed,” he stated, reflecting on the immense stress he was under.
By late February, after enduring months of uncertainty, Mr. Amozegar was informed over the phone that the nomination process would not continue due to the company’s financial constraints. He noted that he had not received any payment since November and was unable to reach out to Retailworld to discuss his visa status or the wages he claims he is owed for his work in December.
As he waits for approval on a new visa, Mr. Amozegar is unable to work, stating, “My savings are dwindling during a crucial period of my life, especially at 31 years old.” He described having to alter his living situation, emphasizing that four months is a significant duration in one of the priciest cities to live in.
In response to Mr. Amozegar’s situation, a spokesperson for Retailworld Resourcing acknowledged awareness of his visa circumstances, asserting that the company’s actions were guided by advice from its registered migration agent. The spokesperson added that even after Mr. Amozegar communicated his intention not to return to Retailworld, the company continued to engage with him, offering support in his efforts to remain in Australia and find alternative employment outside of recruitment.
Amidst these challenges, Mr. Amozegar has reported the company to the Department of Home Affairs and has submitted an application for a student visa, viewing this as an opportunity to transition into a career in electrotechnology. He expressed concern that his new visa application could be denied, potentially leading to a three-year ban from Australia. “This has been an incredibly stressful time, waking up daily feeling anxious and uncertain about my future,” he concluded.
