elnak

@AMP Sorry....

Hmmmm ok.......... I see you are still on visitor visa. Yes, we could also only get TFN numbers once we received our visas. I will leave the post about the TFN on here anyway, for the benefit of others as well. 

We simply waited for the visas and only then applied for TFNs. If the banks have withheld any interest because you don't have a TFN, you will need to complete a tax return. I have not completed mine yet, but will keep you updated as soon as I get to that part.

On 25/07/2018 at 09:07, AMP said:

Hi everyone.  Again it’s a good while since I posted on this forum, though I do check it weekly!  I continue to be happily in Oz on my 600 visa whilst waiting for my143 which will HOPEFULLY be processed in the next 12 months.  

I have a question about tax and I think this is particularly relevant for anyone like me who is, or has been here, on a 600 visa.  I’ve checked and found out that, although I am only here on a visitor visa, I am classed as “Resident for Tax purposes in Australia”.  My only Australian source income is less than $100 per annum of bank interest.  I understand that until I have my 143 visa then I am only eligible for tax on Au generated income.  I also understand that I am obliged to lodge a Non Lodgement Advice for the 2017 to 2018 tax year, which basically means I wont fill in a tax return but am stating that my income is below the level where I need to pay Australian tax.  My other income, which is all from the UK, is declared and is taxable in the UK.

My problem here is knowing how to obtain a Tax file number (TFN).  On line applications are only available for those with work or other visas.  I understand that it’s possible to apply for the TFN via the post office but I’m unsure whether this is the correct route.  Also on the sample form it asks when I arrived in Australia.  I’m unsure what date to give as I came here in October but then had a 3 week visit back to the UK in May,  Has anyone already dealt with this TFN issue and have advice  know what I should now be doing please?

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

@AMP Hi there. We recently obtained our TFNs.

The first step is to apply for a TFN online here: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/apply-for-a-tfn/foreign-passport-holders,-permanent-migrants-and-temporary-visitors---tfn-application/ as a permanent migrant. Then once you receive your TFN by post, you have to link it to your MyGov account to be able to submit your tax return. Step by step guide here: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/In-detail/How-to-use-the-online-TFN-registration-(Permanent-migrants-and-temporary-visitors)/

Step 2 : Log into your MyGov account and then call the number on the taxation website and you will be given a one time linking code to link your TFN to your MyGov account. The person in the call centre will guide you through the process if you request them to do so.

More info here: https://www.ato.gov.au/Media-centre/Articles/First-time-s-a-charm---ATO-advice-for-lodging-your-first-tax-return/

Hope this helps.

On 3/20/2018 at 19:28, Pertenhall said:

We haven't even had our AOS approved yet.  You'll all know when we have!!!!

@Pertenhall Good luck, hope you hear soon.

7 hours ago, Zaki said:

Yes prolly. I am pretty sure they didn't want to entertain her. I screenshoted @HarrisL16 post regarding AoS. She showed that to staff but staff already reminded Canberra office twice

 

Completely hopeless! 

 

@Zaki I honestly think that all will fall in place soon. DIBP is probably waiting to finalise a few applications in the queue and then yours will be ready to process quickly. Good luck.

8 hours ago, gafuk said:

 

After 16 weeks our extra Medicals eventually done and sent to Immigration, so hopefully now waiting for request for 2nd VAC.

Any idea how long the wait is between paying 2nd Vac and getting visa at the moment ?

@gafuk

Good luck, you deserve fast tracking after all you have been through.

For us, the time from payment of 2nd VAC and visa grant was 5 days.  Hope this helps.

On 3/15/2018 at 13:50, ant111 said:

They did confirm that they have all they need and it’s uploaded on their system when she first phoned them

Hope you hear soon @ant111

5 hours ago, nyorksgrannie said:

Congratulations Ian we too had message from our agent yesterday asking for second VAC , we are off to the travel agent! as we are in Australia at the moment on the 12 month visa we have to leave to activate it once payment received .

Congrats!!

5 hours ago, IanS61 said:

WhooHoo just received request for 2nd vac !

Congrats!! Speedy visa grant wishes.

Hi Guys and Gals

I have updated my signature and hope it helps someone with the expected processing time, although it is only an indication since some folks who applied before us have not yet been granted their visas and I really have not been checking whether anyone who applied after us had been granted visas before us. We did EVERYTHING right from the request for medicals, police clearance and form 80 straight away after receiving the request,  without any delays.  Whether that helped at all, I can not tell.  All I know for sure, is that I never actually KNEW that we had been appointed a CO because we never received any communication that indicated that we had. It all came together so fast in the end that we were actually taken by surprise to say the least.

I hope for each and every one of you that you will be getting your visas pretty soon. It is so worth it,  being close to one's child/ren. 

1 hour ago, nyorksgrannie said:

Hi Ian, will know better after tomorrow, we had thought of going to NZ but think the weather might be too cold and wet now, we went to Bali in November so it might be Fiji this time depends on availability with Easter coming up.

@nyorksgrannie We went to Fiji in mid February in order to get our visa grant whilst being offshore. Boy! It was HOT, but the people are so friendly there! Just take some mosquito repellant with you if you go there or if you forget, they sell a local product made of lemon grass there which is excellent.  Enjoy!!

Hi Guys and Gals

Just wanted to let you know that we got our visa grant today. 

Thank you so very much for all your love and support troughout the whole process.

2 hours ago, rahulshankar said:

FYI, we received our request for the 2nd VAC. 

No mention of a BPAY option for us. Bank cheque or credit card only. 

Congrats!!

On 31/01/2018 at 03:19, Wishfull said:

I believer that the following people have been contacted and are currently being "processed". Where are you currently in the process and are any of you anywhere near being asked for your 2nd VAC?

FEB 2015

Ant111, Elnak 

MAR 2015

MikeC, Pertenhall, Nicole Eire, Rahul Shankar, IanS61

APR 2015

nyorksgrannie, Harris L16, Zaki

After a flurry of activity at the end of last year, things seem to have gone awfully quiet.......

Paid AOS bond on 4 Jan 2018.  Nothing after that. Waiting... some more. Almost been 36 months now since we first applied.

You? @ant111 ?

On 03/02/2018 at 16:49, pmindia said:

In the case of the 173 visa, once a case officer is assigned how long would it be before the visa is issued? What does the timeline typically looks like?

Not many 173's here so dont hold your breath for a reply. 

Do you have to do the AOS as well?  (As with the 143) or will that be done at a later stage? 

Just curious.

On 03/02/2018 at 00:20, gafuk said:

Hi All,

 Our saga is ongoing !!   after having a test  to check for TB and waiting 8 weeks for the results, the Lab it seems got dates mixed up and we now have to do another one and wait another 8 weeks       .

But I suppose its not that much more after the 3 year wait, worse could have happened .

Meanwhile, our daughter had her centrelink sponsor interview about 10 weeks ago and has heard nothing since?. Any idea what the current wait is, or should be ?

Gafuk. 

Sorry about all that you are going through. Hope it all soon works out.

Centrelink does seem to take a long time.

We are still waiting as well.

As long as we get there eventually, right?

Good luck mate.

31 minutes ago, MikenC said:

What’s the average time that Centrelink takes to ring your sponsor as I’ve been waiting six weeks now, which seems an awful long time for them to collate the information given to them 

It is hard to follow my case because of all the public holidays... but if it helps.. it took about 6 weeks.

On 05/02/2018 at 17:56, HarrisL16 said:

Hi so pleased for you hope it all goes well, will be worth it in the end ?

HarrisL16. Has your sponsor had the phone interview yet?

On 1/23/2018 at 11:27, LindaH27 said:

Wow you’re ahead of the game if you lodged 9 April 2015 and already have AOS acceptance when immi say they’re only processing March 31st! I notice you are heading to NSW - I wonder if different areas process things more quickly?

@LindaH27. Dept of Home Affairs (Immi) seems to have adopted a new process by requesting documents etc much earlier than they used to previously. The date when the system changed seems to be round about end Feb 2015 to early March 2015 applications. This is only an assumption we have been speculating about and we have no solid evidence or confirmation regarding the whole issue. I guess we will find out pretty soon. Hope this helps. And yes, it does seem that different areas process faster but it does not  necessarily mean that faster processing will lead to being granted visas earlier than others ahead in the queue. (I suspect that if someone ahead in the queue who has a glitch, actually slows others down who have everything ready and in order but can not be granted a visa before that person's visa has been granted. }

The visa granting seem to be more or less in strict order according to lodgement date.  This, once again, is only an observation and not based on any formal information. 

I really wish that someone could give us some more info regarding this matter. 

On 1/23/2018 at 11:32, nyorksgrannie said:

We are only ahead with submitting all the docs. The waiting continues...

Kindly tell me what the Acceptance Letter looks like more or less. Will it be sent by email or snail mail? TIA. 

Are you in Australia at the moment?

On 1/23/2018 at 05:59, Catlady2014 said:

I'm not sure whether you need to inform Immi, but it probably would do no harm to do so, just to be on the safe side.  I think the timescales vary quite a bit, take a look at mine for example.  

Thanks @Catlady2014. Indeed yours took a very long time. I actually do not want to even think about that.  This is very hard. We are enjoying Brisbane very much though. A well deserved holiday for my husband who hasn't had a proper holiday in a long time.

Hi Roomies

I need some advice please.

We are currently in Australia on our 3 month visitor visa. Will I need to inform DIBP that we are currently in Australia?

Assurance of support paid on 5th of January 2018 and proof delivered to Centrelink on the same day.

If I understand correctly, we will have to wait 8 weeks from 5th Jan for acceptance letter?

TIA

19 hours ago, Zaki said:

Those who have applied in February 2015 guys keep updating us! 

I am one of those Feb 2015 guys...... waiting patiently. Paid AOS bond early Jan 2018. AOS acceptance letter not yet received. 

22 hours ago, Kathss56 said:

Yes we just need someone to try it out for us lol

anyone feeling brave let us know 

As soon as we get the request to pay the 2nd VAC I will try it and let you all know how it went. Guinea pig, me.

@Pertenhall. How does one update one's signature please? 

2 hours ago, Pertenhall said:

Great news.  When did he have his interview?

 

The phone call was the interview. He paid the bond this morning and took the bond letter and handed it in at Centrelink.