termis

Just thought I'd update folks, I was assigned CO today for my 175 (online) app today. I applied for 175 back in 8th Feb, 2010, LR country. It actually doesn't really matter so much for me anymore, as my employer have sponsored me since, and I've already been on a RSMS PR visa since Dec 2012. I've actually applied for citizenship already and have been approved (I had been on other visas for few years before this period). Just waiting for ceremony now...

Cheers - thanks for the answer.

Question for anyone who's gone through the process of becoming an Aussie citizen through naturalization: -- Does one have an opportunity/option to change their name during the process of taking up Australian Citizenship? I ask I'm looking to officially "change" my name (just a small variation in spelling - the current official spelling has caused some minor mix-ups at times). I know that some other countries give this specific option during their naturalization process (i.e. I personally know of couple individuals who officially changed their names when they took up U.S. citizenship). I also know I can also officially change my name through Registry of Birth, Death & Marriage, but wanted to first find out if this could be done at the time of applying for Aus citizenship, which I'm eligible to apply for later this year (it would also potentially save me some $$$, and coordination of handling two sets of documents between DIAC & RBD&M).

Just take a guess and write down that dates are guesstimates in question #x in the additional notes at the end of the application. I did this for some travel dates and it was fine.

Most of the information around seem to state that you need to stay at least one year with your employer before you're in the "safe" zone (that is, you've made a "genuine effort" to stay with your employer). http://myaccessaustralia.com/rsms-visa-applicants-need-to-stay-with-employer-2-years/ If you being where you are is causing your mental health to deteriorate, that can be a factor in DIAC's decision as well - I'd just have some documentation to back that up. Even with all that said, DIAC can still technically cancel your visa up to 2 years, so nothing is guaranteed - it's a gamble on your part if you leave your employment early. Other than immigration potentially cancelling your visa, if you've signed an employment contract of any sort with any clauses, there may be issues you'll have to sort out outside of immigration issues (i.e. you having to pay back for any costs relating to relocation, visa fees, etc. that your employer may have paid for you).

Normally 3 months, but I have been told that 1 year ones can be granted if you have a reason (i.e. you need to travel in/out of country for work reasons, etc), or in this case, if the guy who's giving you the visa is nice enough. I wouldn't read too much beyond what he did other than just as a nice gesture. Some disagree, but I'm also of understanding that you don't need to do anything once you return (that is, no need to reapply for bridging visa A). As far as I understand, the ONLY difference between BVA and BVB is that BVB lets you travel in/out during the "travel period" -- that is, the residency allowance itself doesn't "expire" at the end of the "travel period" as long as you remain in Aus - you are still legal to reside/work/study in Aus with BVB until decision on your lodged visa is decided, just like BVA.

This will be discretionary call made by the CO. I hear from several sources that they can, and have, accept medicals slightly over a year. As a reference, me and the wife took medicals on 11/11/2011 (was used for another visa initially). We finally applied for RSMS (DRC) on 11/10/2012, and by the time our decision came around, it was 10/12/2012 -- more than a year from the time we took our medicals. If your application has already been in for 9 months, you're probably going to be okay.

Hey Ashley, yeah, it's frustrating, but I'd also highly advise you to keep your application around "just in case". Basically, you have absolutely nothing to gain from withdrawing your app. I also have a Canadian PR and lived there for nearly two years (wife is Canadian), but it just wasn't the place for me. For me, Australia beats it in just about every measure. It might work out 100% for you, but you won't know until you're there...

I'd maybe stick around until the visa comes through at the very least. After that, I'd just march straight into his office and be up front with him. That is, if he's looking to fire you, he'll have to be the one to make the call - you have a legal obligation to stay on for two years, but he also has that same obligation to keep you on for the same time. It he eventually does get rid of you, you can explain to immigration that you did your part in trying to make the job work. I'd also start looking around just in case. Either way, best of luck...

187 Granted today! Timeline in my sig below, and further details in 187 thread: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/162603-rsms-187-visa-timeline-7.html

Hi All, just got the good news. My 187 was granted today. Application processed in Melbourne, Low-Risk Country, Occupation: Logistics Manager. Good luck to the all of you. Your time will come... 31/05/2012 - RCB Submitted, WA; 27/06/2012 - RSMS Nomination Submitted, DRC, Melbourne; 27/07/2012 - RCB Approved; 01/08/2012 - RSMS Nomination Ack Letter; 09/10/2012 - RSMS Nomination Approved; 11/10/2012 - RSMS 187 App Lodged - DRC, Melbourne; 14/11/2012 - RSMS App Ack Letter; 10/12/2012 - 187 Visa Granted!

Hi saras, where did you get this information? (the 30/70 split?)

You already received a few answers from others here but don't seem to want to believe it. I also got a simple "You got RCB approval" e-mail from my agent - no official letter or anything like that. Why don't you submit your nomination/application already instead of being so hung up on this?

Likewise bud - keep me posted on how you go, I'd certainly be interested to know how your app is progressing. Good info to know, so thanks for that. I haven't heard of anyone's 187 going through just yet. However, I am reading about previous RSMS DRC apps that were lodged in late June starting to get approved, so hopefully we start hearing about 187 app decisions as well - at least for DRC apps. Not to mention, if this board is an indication, I don't recall reading many folks' timelines applying for RSMS visas around July-August (most people around this time applied in bulk before the 1 July change over date), so hopefully that speeds it up even more for those of us who applied not too long ago.

Just received my application acknowledgment letter today as well... Hopefully next letter I get wil be the grant letter! Just a recap: 31/05/2012 - RCB Submitted, WA 27/06/2012 - RSMS Nomination Submitted – DRC, Melbourne 27/07/2012 - RCB Approved 01/08/2012 - RSMS Nomination Acknowledgement Letter 09/10/2012 - RSMS Nomination Approved 11/10/2012 - RSMS 187 Application Lodged - DRC, Melbourne 14/11/2012 - RSMS Application Acknowledgement Letter I get the feeling Any might've needed that bridging visa quickly and a note was sent to immi to get it acknowledged quicker (and thus granting of the bridging visa)? I don't know if it'll have an affect on speeding up the decision, but it probably didn't hurt her case by any means. Hi Llee, sure thing. But to be honest though, I'm not sure if they'd offer the most value for a case that's mostly done (it seems like you did most of the work already if you already lodged the nomination and all) - they're a big corporate firm, so pm me if you're still interested and I'll pass on the information.