Ozmaniac

There's a huge thread devoted to Partner visas applied for in the UK. Best to post your questions in there after you've done some reading though don't bother reading anything before about page 1050 as anything regarding timelines before that will be completely irrelevant. You'll see in there that you can expect an application lodged in London in May 2015 to take 10-14 months. http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/58449-summary-spouse-visa-processing-times-offshore-uk-please-add-your-stats.html

It hasn't changed to exclude passport holders of English speaking countries even if the application form on the website no longer gives that as an option. Upload a second copy of her passport (I know you already have to upload it to prove her identity) where you would otherwise provide proof of functional English (IELTS or whatever) and I'm positive it will be accepted as proof that you don't need to pay the second instalment. The current info on proving functional English says: [h=1]How can I prove I have functional English?[/h] To prove that you have functional English you must provide evidence of one of the following: You are the holder of a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland and you are a citizen of that country. An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test result of an average band score of at least 4.5 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, listening and writing. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing. A Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) test result of a total band score of at least 32 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing. A Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test result of an overall band score of at least 30 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing. A Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test result of an overall band score of at least 147 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening and the test must have been taken on or after 1 January 2015. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing. A positive assessment by an Adult Migrant English Program service provider in Australia that you have functional English. Completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English. Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English. Successfully completed at least one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma in an institution in Australia and all instructions were in English. Completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate that required at least two years of full-time study or training in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English. The functional level of the Australian Assessment of Communicative English Skills (ACCESS) test certified by the relevant testing body. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing.

No. Only family sponsored 489s take that long. State sponsored 489s receive an automatic invitation as soon as the state approves the nomination. You didn't fully answer my question on points though. Can she claim 20 points for Superior English? Or is she only able to claim 10 points for Proficient English? Or no points for English?

It's in Form 990 Fees and Charges - second line under Applicant in Australia: http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Pages/fees-charges/visa.aspx

I don't think the existing PMV to 820/801 transition people have anything to worry about. I'd guess there'll be a new line in the Fees and Charges listing that says something like: 820/801 for holder of 300 visa lodged before 1 July 2015 $1145. And given that PMVs applied for after 30 June 2015 will cost the same as 820/801s, I'd also guess that the cost for the transition to a Partner visa for those PMV holders will stay at $1145 or perhaps even reduce.

You can't apply until you are in the country but you can start work before you get one. When you start work with a new employer, you have 28 days in which to provide a TFN if you have already applied for one. Until then, the employer is obliged to deduct tax at the rate that would apply if a TFN had been provided. After the 28 days, if you haven't provided a TFN, they must deduct tax at the highest marginal rate. New immigrants and temporary visitors can apply online as soon as they arrive in Australia. https://www.ato.gov.au/Forms/Permanent-migrants-or-temporary-visitors---online-TFN-application/

I've lived in Brisbane for 40-odd years and have never worn or needed a coat or raincoat here. In summer, you need light, natural fibre clothes and if you get wet, you know you'll be dry again quickly. I use an umbrella all year around if the wind isn't too strong. In winter, it hardly rains at all, it's usually pleasantly warm and the only clothing you need usually is a light shirt with perhaps a light long sleeved top if the westerlies are blowing or in the early morning and at night. That said, it's FREEZING today (15ºC at my desk) and I'm wearing track pants and a double layer of light long sleeved tops.

Sorry, can't tell you any more than the info in the link I included in my post. Did you read that? It has much more than the small section I posted.

Yet another example of why a phone call to DIBP for information like that is a waste of time. They're notorious for providing incorrect information. There is NO visa condition attached to a 186 requiring the holder to stay with the sponsoring employer for 2 years (or for any length of time for that matter). If someone were to get a 186 and then walk out immediately, the employer might complain and DIBP could conceivably decide that the application had been made fraudulently (though I've never heard of it happening). You've had your visa for several months and there is no visa condition requiring you to stay with the employer so there won't be any repercussions if you leave. Happens all the time. If you move to Perth and your sister has an occupation on the SOL and a positive skills assessment, you will be able to sponsor her for a 489 but a) it's only a provisional visa and b) they take a REALLY long time to be granted if the applicant has only 60 points. The current wait for an invitation for 60 point FS 489s is around 21 months and every month, it gets longer. How are her points made up at present? Is she eligible to claim 20 points for Superior English? If not, that is what she should be working on so that she can submit an EOI for a 189.

Chloe, there's no way to know for sure, but the price rise for Partner visas will make offshore 309/100 visas (and PMVs) cost the same as an onshore 820/801 Partner visa instead of being much less expensive - the 820 will still be $6865 as at present so no price rise for that. Logic says that an 820 from an existing PMV won't rise but it really would be better to get your 820 application in before the end of June just in case. http://www.immi.gov.au/pub-res/Documents/budget/VAC-increases-fact-sheet.pdf

The OP still has a 457. He can only work for the original employer until the visa has been transferred to a new sponsor but he has a valid visa. A 457 holder has 90 days after leaving their employer in which to find another sponsor who must apply for a new nomination. When that is granted, the 457 is transferred to the new employer.

It doesn't really mean anything. A number of enhancements were introduced to ImmiAccount on 17 April 2015. [h=2]General enhancements [/h] The following general enhancements were introduced. [h=3]New application statuses[/h] The status of In Progress has been retired and three new statuses introduced. Application Received – indicating your application has been successfully submitted and will be assessed within advertised application processing timeframes. Information Requested – indicating an immigration officer has assessed the application and found that more information is required, so they have requested that you provide further evidence in support of the application. Assessment in Progress – You have provided all the requested information. We might proceed to make a decision on your application. We could also ask you for further information. In this case, the status will return to Information requested. http://www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/resources/immiaccount-enhancements/

The whole family must have lived, worked and studied only in the designated area as holders of 489s but only the main applicant for the 887 (i.e. you) needs to have met the 2 years living/1 year working in the designated area requirements for eligibility to apply for the 887. As long as the rest of the family have lived, worked and studied only in the right location and hold 489s, there is no need for them to have done so for 2 years.

Sorry, I'm not sure of the answer to the highlighted questions but I thought you had only 60 days from the original application to apply for a review of additional experience etc. If your assessment is nearly 2 years old, my understanding is that you will need to apply for a new $500 assessment including the new experience and that will be issued with a new date. I may however be wrong - all I know is what I read on the ACS site and you have access to exactly the same information.

Sounds like you've fallen under the 10% that don't get their visas quickly and I'm afraid that apart from sending an enquiry, there's nothing you can do but wait. http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/forms/email/eform-processing-centres-working-holiday.htm Working Holiday Maker Application Enquiry Form Working Holiday visas can only be granted offshore. If you were to come to Australia on a different visa and are onshore when it is granted, it will cancel the visa you entered on (so you'll be in Australia without a visa) AND will itself be cancelled. A VERY BAD IDEA! Good luck! I'm sure it will come soon.

What is the date of the skills assessment? Assessments are only valid for a period of three years from the date of issue, unless a shorter validity period is specified on the assessment and must still be valid at the time of invitation. If you submit an EOI one month before your skills assessment expires and it takes longer than a month to get an invitation, you won't be able to lodge an application.

I've just seen details of the new post 1 July 2015 visa charges announced in the budget earlier this week and the cost of an 802 will go DOWN to be the same as the 101 ($2370). Will wonders never cease! I didn't think DIBP would EVER reduce the cost of a visa.

You won't need another medical but I'm pretty sure you and your partner will need PCCs.

You should apply to South Australia for nomination for state sponsorship and submit an EOI nominating SA as your preferred state. All you need to get an automatic invitation for a 190 application is nomination approval and the bare minimum of 60 points. You get 5 points for a state nomination so even if you only get 10 points for Proficient English, you will get an invitation as soon as you have met the requirements provided there are still visas available at that time - we're getting towards the end of the Program Year so it's possible the overall visa ceiling may be reached before you get an invitation.

NZ citizenship is not automatic for overseas born children. You would need to apply for NZ citizenship by descent and then a NZ passport before the child can be granted an SC 444 visa on arrival in Australia. http://www.dia.govt.nz/Services-Citizenship-New-Zealand-Citizenship-by-Descent If baby is born before you get to Australia, you should probably wait until in Australia then apply for a subclass 802 onshore Child visa. An 802 costs (currently) $3520 vs $2370 for a 101 so it's more expensive but the 101 can only be granted offshore so you would have the additional expense of taking baby offshore for the grant to take place. I can't see that the longer processing time for an 802 would be a problem.

You haven't lived together for long enough to meet the One-year Relationship requirement so that you can apply as a de facto partner but as @Killara has explained, you may be eligible for a waiver of the requirement if you can demonstrate compelling and compassionate circumstances. It will however be easier to get an exemption if you register your relationship in Queensland but you can only do so if neither of you is married to someone else. If you can register your relationship, you will still need to provide evidence that yours is a 'genuine and continuing relationship (even legally married couples must do that), but it provides an exemption from the One-year Relationship requirement without the need to prove compelling circumstances. See dot point #2 under Exemptions from the one year relationship requirement on the 4th link in my post above. https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/marriage-weddings-and-registered-relationships/registered-relationships/registering-a-relationship/ Registering a relationship in Queensland

There are two very informative PIO threads on the subject of PTE Academic - they should answer any questions you may have: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/227823-any-one-done-pearsons-english-test-yet.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/231707-ielts-v-s-pearson-test-english-academic-pte-academic-my-personal-findings.html#post1936733023

Doesn't the applicant's occupation have to be on the SOL for a family sponsored 489? Greenkeeper is only on the CSOL.

If you've actually been living with your partner in a marriage-like de facto relationship for at least 12 months, you apply for a Partner visa which will be an offshore 309/100 if you apply from the UK or elsewhere outside Australia or an onshore 820/801 if you come to Australia on a Visitor visa and apply here. There is no separate de facto visa. Married, de facto and same sex couples all apply for the same visa and the only difference is that de facto and same sex couples must meet the One-Year Relationship requirement whereas there is no length of relationship requirement for married couples. http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/309-100.aspx Offshore Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) and Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/801-820.aspx Onshore Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) http://www.immi.gov.au/forms/Documents/1127.pdf Partner Migration booklet http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/35relationship.htm The One-Year Relationship requirement

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Where to start? Start by making sure you are likely to be able to get a visa and what visas are available for your occupation. What is your occupation? We can't help until we know that.