Kimorjack

Hi all Just planning the next 12 months (now waiting for the next round of EOI's....fingers crossed)- so in anticipation - we are looking @ Sep/Oct/Nov as a possible time for the move. Made me think...of the many decision's we have to make :-) a) We have a 9 year old (turned 9 in Nov) who is doing really well in school - we are still deciding on area's (Brisbane) to live - so cant yet pin point a suburb - so cant start to look at school's - but moving in these months - does it mean starting a school for a few weeks/months and then straight into the summer holiday or can he start the new year in Feb? If we moved in Nov then he would start his school year in the UK in Sep/Oct then we would emigrate..anyone had this dillema - are there rules to follow? b) Any change will be hard - so to minimise this we are looking at Private School's - I know it's difficult to enrol into a school from the UK - but anyone done this and it's worked well? c) Costs of flights...they seem to get more expensive as you get closer to December.. d) Rentals...from reading many posts - it looks like same scenario - harder to get rentals at the tail end of the year e) Work...Dec/Jan seems to be a quiet time - not just in the UK but most countries...is this the same in OZ? So why do people decide on Emigration in certain months? I know there is personal reason's (work etc) - but is there a pattern? thanks

hi all this may have already been covered - but my search is inconclusive! I have a reference from a company that I used to work for that covers the following dates (for the same company): July 1998 - March 2001 February 2002 - October 2002 November 2002 - May 2003 As you can see these don't have the actual day - just the month. Will this be sufficient for the application? In the EOI I need to put a day date aswell - but I don't have this information. thanks

Hi all Seeing as I only have 1 more go at my EOI application....I've been thoroughly picking holes on my new application - and I've found one potential issue.. My wife's passport needs to be renewed Aug 2013. What I've seen so far is "...at least 6 months" on the form's.... Obviously this mean 6 months from now (EOI) - but if and when I get an invite - eg. If I get an invite in Feb - then I'll have less than 6 months on her passport...so potentially not being able to fulfill one of the entry requirements. It's a catch 22 - as we could send off to get her passport renewed - but I would of liked to have submitted the EOI in Dec so we are "in the running" for the January Invites. Anyone gone through this dilema? We could go through the process (EOI) - with the Passport numbers...then update the passport - if we get an invite - we provide the new passport details? thanks

...just a thought...my original EOI was submitted Oct and I had asked for my current employment reference in April - so I presume I'll need an updated reference now? No Stone left un-turned now. We cant afford to mess this next one

...interesting... I've started a new EOI..so first positive step... However - I feel slightly annoyed. The Question that has given me sleepless nights this week -appears to have been changed on the EOI Form - it now has an "Extra" warning/note next to it....which is good - as it's been identified as a cause of concern for DIAC. (Not sure when this changed - but it's a warning/note that was 100% not there before as this gives you the context that was missing...I will stand corrected on this if someone can confirm this was always there...) I know this is a new system - and like any system - there will be change...my question is - surely they must look at an "appeal" process? (It's too late for me as it's withdrawn...but...) for when issues like this happen - i suppose it's all down to manpower...if people put in incorrect information so they get the invite - they will be "caught" when the CO does the processing...but when in my case it's a genuine mistake - there has to be an appeal process - the question I have "failed" on still "troubles me" - why doesn't it ask you to put the Australian Course details Immediately after the question if you say Yes? This is what they have done with other Questions when a "Yes" reply has been submitted....Grrr.

...good to see that the forum is working and its already started to help others... For me - I was going to re-submitt my EOI this morning - but noticed the following: TRN Logon - the application is in the Finalised state EOI Logon - still active - status LODGED How long will it take for the EOI Logon to be "stopped" so I can start another one? Also I presume there will be a question...something along the line....have you applied for an australian visa in the past etc etc and been refused....I presume this will be a NO because I have withdrawn the application and not been refused? Lesson Learned here is that I have to think Im in a court of law for EACH question - I will look at it from EVERY angle. This Process is not going to beat me :-)

..just an update to all interested. We have written the letter to ask that the EOI be Withdrawn and have presented our case as to why we made this mistake. It was a very difficult letter to write as we had the feeling we were going back a good few months into this long process...all because of a simple mistake. I re-wrote it about 10 times as I did sound very bitter about it - but that would not help me. We have also asked for a discretionary refund of the VAC. Loosing that kind of money because of a mistake is really hard to take (especially as we've just paid for Health and Police Checks aswell!) for the purpose of other's that It may help I will update the thread once I have any updates from the Case Officer... thanks to AnnetteV for her help - and also everyone who has contributed to this discussion- I hope it helps someone else - at the moment we are all pretty low and would hate this mistake to happen to others.

thanks all for the support. I've not been able to get anywhere near a PC until now - and Its not clear how I withdraw my EOI - as it's "Lodged" - I dont have an option to Withdraw it - the only directive Ive been given is to send a Written Letter to the CO - so I will do this the moment I get home tonight (I'll need the wife to sign it aswell). At this stage - I dont think a Migration Agent can actually do anything. Happy to be proven incorrect. As many have indicated - it's a pity that some common sense cant be used - I understand there's regulations etc - but this is an honest mistake. I still pass the criteria set for a Migration Visa - and my Skill is currently in demand. We have completed the Medicals, Police Checks and also have uploaded all materials - I dont see any other reason not to proceed. But Rules are Rules. Lesson Learned...expensive one at this time of year.

Unfortunately this was received this morning... I quote: Having given regard to all that was provided in support of your application and the information you have provided below, I determined your score when assessed to be 60. I have also considered the statements you have made in respect of how the score stated in your invitation to apply for the visa was calculated. It is the department’s view that the score stated in your invitation to apply for the visa was calculated correctly on the basis of the information you gave in your expression of interest. As I have found your assessed score is less than the score stated in your invitation to apply, you fail to satisfy a criterion as set out in the Migration Regulations for the grant of the visa. This means that the visa for which you have applied cannot be granted to you. A decision on your visa application is now imminent. You may choose to withdraw your application up until such time as a decision is made. If you do so, you may request a discretionary refund of the first instalment of the Visa Application Charge (VAC). If you wish to withdraw the application, please provide a written request to withdraw, including a request for refund of the VAC if applicable, signed by all applicants 18 and over. Please note that a request for refund of the VAC does not guarantee that a refund will be approved. Whether or not a refund is given depends upon certain legal circumstances being established to the satisfaction of the delegate. If a decision is made to refuse to grant you a visa, the special delegate is precluded by law from exercising their discretion to give you a refund of the VAC. If you wish to pursue migration to Australia via the General Skilled Migration program you can submit a further Expression of Interest via SkillSelect. Please note that any further application will require the payment of a new VAC. See: http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/ ------------------------ Totally Gutted about this - and now completely down.

Hi thanks for the concern - I was just told that the issue was with the "Australian study requirements" - which had more or less been pre-confirmed (here) as the possible issue. I've replied to the CO with an explanation - and now its a waiting game again.. I'm hoping to be positive - as I still have 60 points - I have a skill in demand. But Im not sure of the action(s) from DIAC now... Will update the thread as and when - as It may help others who may face the same issue. If anything I hope it highlights to other's that each question has to be properly understood/interpreted. I'm looking at the site now to see if the general public can also make suggestions on how to improve their systems. I will request that a public health warning is put on the EOI website :-)

Thanks for the reply ABA - however - in my case I'ts not an innocent mistake as ticking the incorrect box. I've read the statement many times since It was pointed to me that this may be the issue - and I still think the Question can and should be worded in a different manner. It implies/asks if I meet the Australian study requirements for the Skilled Migration points test - which I've interpreted as "Do you have qualifications that you can proove towards your Australian Skilled Migration Points Test" - in which case - YES I have qualifications... If however (now it's been pointed to me in a different context) - it would say "Have you completed any studies in Australia" - the answer would of been a resounding NO! I have called the Adelaide office and after a short wait - this was confirmed to me -and in her words "this is a common occurance" - which again tells me that something is wrong if it's a "common occurance" Which then brings me to Alan's comment - I respect your opinion - as I've read many many of your posts - but to imply that this process should only be completed by a Competant Migration Professional is not helpful. This excellent resource (Poms in Oz) is here to help thousands of people through the myriad of documents/forms that we all have to complete - because many people are competant (with a little help!) and do not have (or in many cases cannot afford to) the privillege of paying someone to do it on their behalf. I beleive that the Process is complicated - but I've taken my time - used this resource and I've come unstuck on one contentious question - which appears to have been labelled by DIAC themselves as a "common issue" Im now very tired - emotionally drained and will probably edit this in the morning - but I had to say how I felt....with respect.

The blood has literally drained from my face... I cant believe I also have the same issue. Feel sick. I've just read it about 10 times trying to understand why I would of said "Yes" to this question. I've obviously read this as confirming that I have Education to meet the Australian "Visa" Requirements and not that I confirm I've actually studied in Australia. Gutted. We thought we would have this completed by Christmas so we could start the new year planning in detail....and one incorrect "Yes" has stopped us on our tracks :-( Should I email or phone the CO?

thanks all. Ok - I've found a copy of the information that was put into the EOI (by me)...and nowhere do I state any false or incorrect information. I've stated the qualifications that I have. Its the system thats given me 15 points - I haven't assigned them to myself.....however I also know this doesn't fix the issue! My only option is to call the Adelaide office at 11pm tonight and explain. I don't believe I've done anything wrong.

hi - thanks for the quick reply. This is my worry - I followed the Questions in EOI - and I put in Advanced Diploma - it was the system (i think) that gave me 15 points. where does this leave me? I even checked this on this forum before hand - followed the questions on EOI - and its the system thats given me the points (again im looking at this emotianally at the moment...) - if I could only login and see the EOI! Totally shattered at the moment.

Hi - I think this may be the issue - but as I cant login to EOI - I dont recall claiming against a HND - I claimed against an Advanced Diploma - which is what I was told the HND would be. Do you have experience of this?

Thanks Candygirl - having had a cup of coffee and coming down from the ceiling - I know I've done nothing wrong...nothing to hide - so I'm hopeful it's a mistake "in the system"...I'll worry no more...make my calls...and hope for the best. It would be good to hear if anyone else has had any discrepancy's noted on their app's and what their resolution was..anyway - Im now an hour late into my 2 hour commute...which since the Medical's has felt "better" because I thought we were close to the finishing line....today's drive will be pants :-(

Wow! Thanks all - really surprised at the number of replies - thanks for the support. I've just logged into EOI again - and its there in black and white - "The EOI for this subclass is able to be completed. The client's claims equal 65 points" I dont think I've overclaimed anywhere on the application - this was my dillema back in October - hence why I checked and double checked everything before going any further. Can anyone point me to where I can re-view my Application again? Even though I know that every inch of the document is correct - as I spent many nights reading/checking/double checking...Ive logged into EOI and as I'ts suspended I cant view anything! aghhhhhh! RockDR - I will contact a migration agent - when they are open - but will they be happy to help when I've done this on my own? My initial Mig Agent we stopped using because we felt the service was poor and we were not getting value for money...I feel sick typing that now...but that's life...I'm not stupid - and Im 100% convinced Iv'e done nothing wrong - I've followed the process. One weird (and maybe a glimmer of hope) is that the 1st email from the Case officer is asking for documentation (for the wife) which I've already uploaded (these are Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Police Checks) - these are all Colour Copies (granted they are not Certified - could this be the case...although I've read on here MANY times that Colour copies are ok)...I know that this won't give me any additional points - but maybe the CO was having a bad day :-) Trying to be positive..

morning all, same routine - get up early and check my email...not 1 but 2 from Adelaide...the excitement soon wore off. 1st email confirming I have a Case officer....2nd emails saying there's a points discrepancy...I think the kitchen actually spun. I've followed the process...I even confirmed some points related questions here on the forum (I was convinced I had 60 points from the start) - but I put all the information into SkillSelect and it came up - 65...I checked, double checked, triple checked....you get the picture...(I put it down to my Higher National Diploma in Computing getting more points on Skillselect). I then waited...and in November I was one of the lucky one's who got picked to apply.. Uploaded all documents Paid for the Visa Paid for the Health Checks Paid for the Police Checks and now this. I feel totally sick - Has anyone encountered this? After all its the "system" (EOI) thats calculated my points score? I've not tried to hide or fool anyone. I will respond to the Case Officer (its now after 4pm there so no point in a rash email now)...any thoughts? Anyone experienced this? What are my options..feels like a 10 Tonne ball's just crushed us.

Hi Rosie thanks for the confirmation - I thought I was going mad! :-)

Hi all Not sure of my status at the moment... EOI was accepted in the November round. I have a TRN and have been using the https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/elp/app?login URL to login using my TRN. I have received an email with an Acknowledgement Letter saying I have a valid Application for a Skilled Independent..from a GSM Support Officer. Ive logged into the above location and all my details are there with a list of documents in the "Recommended" or "Required" category...I've uploaded everything. We had our medicals last Monday and were told they would be "on the system" in the next 48 hours...but to be honest Im not sure where they mean! We had our Police Checks back today and will upload these tonight. When I login to https://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/check-progress.htm - I'ts always down! So - I hope all I need to do now is wait for a Case Officer? thanks

Hi all I've uploaded all the docs I have to the eVisa system...Police Checks Apps form been sent - Medicals booked @ 8am Monday... What does the CO do? Even though Ive uploaded all docs into the system - it's still stating "Required" or "Recommended" against them....even the ones that I wont have - eg. Experience of Australia Work etc.. Does the CO only look @ the documentation when the Health & Character process has completed? thanks

Hi all Just about to upload some documents - CO assigned... :-) Some simple questions hopefully! Progress is down as "Recommended" --> does this mean I have to upload the docs (even though they were uploaded as part of skill-select EOI?) I have "Recommended" against --> Evidence of Australian Qualifications and Evidence of Australian Work Experience--> even though I have said NO to australian qualifications in the EOI (there was a panic moment when I thought Id made a mistake) - Is this normal? Recommended against " Evidence of Language Evidence" for ALL on the application (wife/son) - even though I did the IELTS --> presume a copy (again) of the UK Passport will suffice? Recommended against " Member of Family Unit" for my son --> Birth Certificate again? Recommended against " Evidence of Custody" for my son --> Not sure on this? Recommended against " Skills Assessment" for my wife --> I am the Skilled migrant --> again didn't specify anything on the EOI for the wife! Confused.com

thanks All - what about the "easy" option of having Parent!..

Hi all this might be an easy one for someone.. Page 6 of Skillselect (Apply for Visa) - Migrating Family Member --> Page 6 of 17. Relationship to Primary applicant --> CHILD Relationship Status --> only options are De Facto Divorced Engaged Married Never Married Seperated Widowed None of these answers fit!? Anyone? thanks

Hi - just noticed that there's a "Down Under Live" Expo in Leeds (3rd and 4th Nov) - anybody been there today? Was it worth it? thanks