Visa delays....we pay(s)

[Deauled]

I have lodge a Visa 176 in Feb 2009, 9 days later I was informed that my visa is not going to receive any processing at that time.

So... I asked my employer to sponsor me. Because I have a trade on the “highly skilled” list I did not have to wait the two years before one can apply for PR, I did not know that, at the time I lodged my 176.

I applied for a fee-free application Visa 856 a few days ago (missed informed by Immi officers several times that I do not have to pay again).
Guess what… I got a phone call today saying that if I do not fork up the $2525 by tomorrow, my application will become void.

I love AU and I have a lot of respect for Immi, but come-on people….
We came here with a suitcase of clothes and a few dollars change.

Use this url for visa times and Frequently Asked Questions: 457 Visa | Updated Priority Processing Effective from 23 September 2009 Frequently Asked Questions

[wanderer]

It seems you've been caught up in the onshore/offshore tangle as though ifyou have held a 457 you're eligible to apply for an 856, a 176 that you've applied for is an offshore visa and so to have the 176 fees applied you should have applied for a 121.

Have a look @ Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 121/856)

What you could do is to look into not paying, let the 856 become void and then apply for the 121 I assume you'll be eligible for.
You will have to take a short holiday overseas to have it granted but you would have had to do that for the 176 anyway.

[Welshtone]

Hi Deauled

DIAC have been very confused over the on-shore/offshore freebie ENS but the penny I think has finally dropped with them - that you have to pay for onshore ENS if you only have off-shore GSM application.

The Director of the ASPC has advised that they would look favourably at a refund request on a withdrawn off-shore GSM application after approval of an on-shore ENS. Unfortunately you will have to fork out the two fees first though.

Regards