jonny

Thanks Raul. We had done this as soon as she got it and all was good ?

As an update to this: The tourist visa was not granted before my partner came back onshore the first time and wasn't for a while (so she entered back in on the 457). It took about 8 weeks for grant. My partner had to leave the country (for non-visa reasons) and when she did, the visa was granted the next business day. We were told it probably couldn't be granted while she was onshore because we applied offshore. The 457 ended immediately when the tourist visa was granted. It was a 3 month per stay / 1 year valid visa and it has no extra conditions like No Further Stay.

Hey all, Thanks for the replies and sorry for the delay (lots of working things out). As everyone said, the immi site did pop up a warning that it would end her 457 immediately when it was granted. We chose not to apply onshore as she had to go overseas for a month anyway. Applying onshore would have cost about $1,100 total because of a higher fee onshore - with a $700 fee because her current visa was applied for onshore (just something to be aware of if you have gone from WHV -> 457 before planning a tourist visa). So now we're waiting to see if it is granted and has any conditions - I'll let you all know. Thanks

Hi all, My partner is currently on a 457 visa but looking to quit her job and then we'd be looking to travel around for a good few months (way more than the 90 days). As far as I can tell, it's possible to "extend her stay for tourism purposes" using the eVisitor 600 visa while she is still in the country. Has anyone done this before? Do you know if it would just stack on to her 457 so that when she does quit, it would just take over? Also (more importantly) that applying for it wouldn't affect her existing visa status or notify her employer. Of course, it would be possible to apply after shes hands in her notice so this wouldn't be an issue but it would be nice to make sure everything is in order before pulling that trigger. (I will give a call to immigration after the weekend but figured others might have experience with this) Thanks!

Actually, it makes sense. Looking up ATO I see the comments that 'Foreign resident for tax purposes' does not have to file a tax return. I guess with all things tax here, I'll have a chat with an accountant. Thanks all!

Just to add a reference to the above comments: http://www.immi.gov.au/faqs/Pages/my-child-was-born-in-australia-what-is-their-status.aspx (also: good luck!)

Not sure if it's the right forum but figure people who have gone back to the UK from staying in Oz will have come across this. I now have PR (hurrah) and, of course, every single detail of everything is now going through my mind. If I return in the UK in the future, will I have to lodge a tax return with the ATO forever until my *gulp* return marked 'final'? Or do you only lodge returns for time you are actually in Australia?

Congrats MariaC!

I did it online and it was really easy I did it back in December and it only took a day to have them send me the result.

No requirement. Heck, you don't even need to have a job once you've been granted the visa Speaking of which, any news for the rest of you? If not, fingers crossed for next week for you.

Pretty much. The weather has its very obvious warning signs here (so muggy) before a storm or so. Every other day, just assume sun. I do like looking at the radar though ( http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR714.loop.shtml#skip ) as you can see just how much rain is starting to head your way. Not sure if you know (loads of people don't seem to realise it) but the Oyster has a daily cap of $15, a weekly cap of $60, and Sundays are a cap of $2.50 for the whole day (including ferries). My Sundays are now normally sitting on the ferries or heading on a bus (or several). The exchange rate has made sure of that! Congrats on the move!

Thanks! Good luck with yours Fingers crossed! Yup, I am in Sydney so applied onshore. Was on a Working Holiday Visa and been on the bridging for the last couple of weeks.

Wow. I was literally just writing 'Nope, not today' and got my grant through! Direct grant YAY! I'm on a train so not quite believing it... but it does have the words 'Congratulations! You have been granted a permanent visa' Yup. Just checked vevo and I'm now a resident! :biglaugh:

Haha - after seeing this, I logged into my immi account just in case an email didn't get through or something. Oh well! There's always tomorrow

Hey, I can't answer for the school information but I know when I was moving around the UK, it was in my interest to notify the council of me leaving the area - (for example, York has a website to notify them). That way they won't hound you for council tax. Jonny