Jonny Gbla is desperate to gain permanent residency in Australia and has been saving money by living out of his car. Picture: Supplied
An English migrant has detailed the insane cost and living conditions he has endured in a bid to gain permanent residency in Australia and find a home.
Jonny Gbla moved to Australia in his early 20s and says he has spent at least $12,000 jumping through immigration hoops to try and remain in the country.
The 29-year-old podiatrist’s current visa will expire in November and, despite doing everything he can to stay, has yet to receive any confirmation from Australian authorities about his eligibility to do so.
Gbla has even gone to extreme lengths to raise the cash needed to pay for the various visas, medical exams, police checks and English tests required by immigration authorities.
Jonny Gbla has been sleeping on an air mattress at his place of business. Picture: Supplied
The English national has, at times, sublet his own apartment while staying at his girlfriend’s home or slept on an air mattress at a studio business he rents.
He has even lived out of his car and still stores his entire wardrobe in the vehicle to save on story costs.
“I’m in limbo. These visas, they’re so f***ing expensive,” Gbla told Yahoo News.
“Even if I wanted to do it with an agent, probably looking at maybe like $9,000, and this is not even factoring in an English test I had to do, which was $300.”
A video posted by Gbla to TikTok saw him calling on anyone who would listen to help him out.
“Five years, nothing. Still no security of staying in the country you’ve lived in after five years … I’ve spent so much money, I’m over it.
Jonny Gbla has not heard back from authorities on his visa application in more than six months Picture: Supplied
“I just want to stay here, man. I pay my taxes. I’m a good man. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, hardly go out, like at this point I’m begging.”
Gbla chose Australia as his home of choice after falling in love with the country’s beach lifestyle.
He moved to Queensland on a working holiday visa but is currently trying to obtain a skilled independent visa.
He has not heard back from the Department of Home Affairs despite submitting his application late last year.
Gbla is not alone in his bid to call Australia home.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data for 2024 revealed more than 40,000 UK and Irish migrants arrived Down Under that year – the highest 12-month intake in more than a decade.
Despite an influx of Indian and Chinese migrants to Australia, the UK remains the highest contributor of immigration to Australia.
English (US) · 