wabound

Hi, We only lodged our application for a 176 last week, and have done our medicals today to speed up the process. I am worried that we did them too early. Does anyone know how long they are vlid for? Also, anyone that has applied since 1 July 2011, preferably for 176, how long did it take to get a CO? We are sending off for police clearance certificates next week. One last question regarding docs reqd within 28 days of lodging. I have attached everything I thought was needed, but e mail sent to me goes on about form 80 and form 1221 (to do with character). The website states form 1071i is needed too (to dowith health). Anyone bother with these or did you just go with your document checklist? Sorry, off the topic majorly! Thanks for any help Popy

IELTS results usually take 8 days, so any time now!

Hello, The 176 is either state sponsored or sponsored by relative. We decided to go for the 176 as when we started the process, this one required less points than the 175, now its the same. Thought we just stick to that as we thought there must be some advantage to being sponsored by a relative, such as the processing time, even though website says 18 months for both. Thanks for confirming Melissa. It seems from reading this thread that people get their visas as quick as 3 months. That is an exciting and scary thought!! Poppy

Hi Sandra, Congrats on making the decision to move downunder! We decided last year Dec and started the ball rolling in March. This is where we are: 1.Applied for ONE skills assessment 15/3, positive result recieved 14/7 Cost: £356 plus £82 for certifying documents and getting academic transcript. 2. Did the IELTS English test (dont need to if you are on a british passport) on 2/4 Cost: £112 3. Just applied for VISA 176 online on 6/8, which is the sponsored one. Unfortunately on 1 July 2011 lots of the rules changed, and the prices went up too. There seems to be no advantage in going for the 176 visa compared to the 175 (independent). The pass mark is 65 for both. Cost was £2010 You will have to have your skills assessment result before being able to apply, so that is where to start. Get your sister to fill in the sponsorsip form and send it to you along with her aussie passport copy and birth certificate (for proof of relationship) if you are going to go for the 176. All the documents they require can be attached online. You can either scan the originals in colour or certified copies in black and white. Our next steps are: 1. Get penal clearance certificate (easy enough) Cost: 2x£35 + £70 2. Book our x rays and mediacal, cost? guess about £300 It may seem complicated now, but once its all sorted in your head, it really is quite straight forward. Good luck, Poppy

Hi Helen, Have also just joined up. Applied yesterday for 176 visa, heading to Perth where I have family. We are a young family from the midlands. Poppy

Sorry, cant count, 4 months! So longer than the processing times given. It took 2 weeks to reach them and 6 days for it to arrive here. Good luck!

Hi, the processing takes 8-12 weeks from reciept. I also applied online and sent off all the documents on the 15th of March. My letter to say I passed the skills assessment arrived 3 months later on the 14th of July.