katie3736

Hi both! Sorry i didn't realise until now you were meeting up today, hope it went well? I've just moved into an apartment this weekend so its been pretty hectic! I'll pm you both my no and if you meet up again I'd love to join if ok? Speak soon, Kate x

Hi Brooke, Kelly

Sorry for the slow reply, I haven't been receiving the notifications! Anyway I'm here in Burleigh yes! Just got through my first week at work! I would love to meet up - my partners not here until the 10th though, so if you're doing a girls meet up anytime let me know, otherwise it'd be good to meet up with you all once he's here too?

Kate x

Hi Brooke!

They sound great jobs! Im in project management, and my partner is a landscaper. We've had good news today... my visa got approved! I'm so happy! :-) and yes its a 457. My partner is coming on a working holiday visa though to begin with, but hopefully we can get him some more permanent arrangments too before that expires! I've heard great things about Burleigh, it's so excitng! Will definitely be in touch once I'm settled to meet up - I'm hopefully heading out next week, and my partner earlier September (as he has to finish his job here first) - will keep you posted!

X

Hi all!

After abit of toing and froing between my employer and the case officer about my salary, my visa has finally been granted today!! . Finger's crossed they are picking up speed again with everything now following the changes, and everyone else gets their visas soon also!

x

Hi Wokos,

As far as I'm aware the meet ups arranged on here, but then those who have met up before probably exchange numbers too! That's great that you're from Leicester too - We're in Syston, how about yourself? X

Yes I would definitely say so, and yes it is a pay rise! :-) However its not just my salary that needs to meet/be above the new TSMIT, the market rate does also (I.e. the salary of an Australian citizen currently doing the same job within the company) - so fingers crossed that is the case also!

Hi Brooke,

When we finally get over to Australia (Im currently waiting visa approval) it would be great to meet up with you and your partner! Me and my partner are heading right near to Palm Beach on the Gold Coast - Burleigh Heads. We also love Brisbane so can see ourselves visiting there a lot too! What is it you both do?

Kate X

Hi all,

Just thought I'd let you know that a case officer contacted my employer and told them about the TSMIT changes and that they had to be met for the nomination to be considered for approval - so they are complying with the new changes against existing applications. I'm fortunate in that my employer has increased my salary to meet the new threshold, however that doesn't guarantee me approval. Will just have to wait & see! Just hoping a decision is not too far away

Oh Jazz I hope you're right! but like Chubbs says it does say on the immi website about the new laws applying to unfinalised applications also...so confusing!! I've still not heard anything :-( it'll be 8 weeks on Tuesday. My employer rang immigration mid week and they gave them a number to call once it does reach 8 weeks, as apparently then you can officially chase them up! They did also say they've been inundated with applications in June due to everyone wanting to get them in before the 1st !

Hi Sophie,

Sorry for the delay - been manic here moving out of our house this week! Hoping to be in Oz by late August/early September time, and will be heading to the Burleigh Heads region of the Gold Coast. Do you know it there?

Still no news on my visa though - looks like it has been caught up in a delay surrounding all these changes which have recently been introduced, so abit concerned now it may even get refused?! :-( Hope not though...goodness knows what I'll do then!

Just want to get out there! :biggrin:

Kate

Hi Sophie,

I'd definitely be up for meeting up once I get out there (currently waiting visa approval!). Whereabouts on the Gold Coast are you? I have the same concerns here with leaving the girls at home!

Kate x

Unfortunately I don't think it matters if it was lodged before 1st, it's dependant on whether it has Ben finalised reading this advice: http://migrationblog.immi.gov.au/2013/07/03/changes-to-the-subclass-457-visa/ . My role is in ICT project management, how about you?

Morning Sarah,

That's great news! I'd say that the more info you can send now the better? It might delay things further else if they turn round and ask for it later down the line!

No news for me unfortunately. I've been reading about the changes introduced to the 457 and how they actually affect applications lodged before the 1st, and my GAE (Guaranteed annual earnings) fall below that outlined in the requirements. Concerned now this is going to be an issue.

Hi girls,

Just stumbled across this thread and wanted to say hello! Me and my bf are moving to the Gold Coast next month and are keen to meet some like-minded people in a similar position to us! We're 26/27 and will both be working in the area.

Have things got easier for you guys over recent months?

Hope to hear from you,

Kate x

Yeah the emails stand out a mile off they have your surname then first name in capital letters so you know straight away! I'm the same once this evidence has been submitted I will then have the nervous wait that you have at the minute! It's so scary as like you say so much negative news surrounding the visa!! The average processing time is around 8 weeks so anyday now you will recieve your grant so all this waiting about will be worth it! Good luck x

Ah that's great, thanks again!

Good luck with yours too, and hopefully next time we speak one of us will have our visa's!!

PS, does anyone know whether the immi dept just work standard office hours, Mon-Fri? i.e. I'm assuiming today's chances of any contact are now over if so!

Hi katie that's how our application was submitted on 11th June, today is the first contact we have had from our case officer requesting further information in order for her to make a decision on the visa. Now we submitted both the visa and nomination at the same time but with no evidence for the visa so she's just asking for that at the minute, I am thinking if you have applied for your visa did you include all the relevant evidence to support your visa such as qualifications etc? If so then I guess you are only awaiting a grant from them that's possibly why you haven't heard anything? Hope this is the case, I have a feeling your going to wake up tomorrow with an email with a visa grant! Will keep my fingers crossed and keep thinking positive, keep us updated x

Thanks Sarah! That's good to know - I was starting to wonder whether this was making a difference perhaps! My app was lodged on 10th June and I uploaded all my documents in the same week, so hopefully you're right and it's just a case of waiting for approval! I guess with all the bits in the news about this visa though I'm just getting abit nervous about rejection, espec having given up my job, house here etc.

If you don't mind me asking are the emails from the immigration department quite obvious (i.e. does it have a particular subject line?) Just so I know what i'm looking out for!

Will keep you posted and likewise the same with your app x

Congratulations Babs! Still no news for me! Arghhh. My application was submitted directly by my employer and me, so not through a migration agent - has anyone else had any experiences of submitted a visa this way? It's taking so long! Getting on for 7 weeks...

I think I'll hold out abit longer too given the price of flights atm, it's just so frustrating though! Here's hoping we get decisions this week! Where abouts are you heading to in oz Babs? Is anyone heading to the Gold Coast here? I can't wait!

Thanks Babs! I really hope it comes through soon as I need to get out there & started in the job! Has anyone considered going out on a tourist visa and waiting out there for the approval to start work? It's crossed my mind, but there's always that element of doubt that it might get rejected (although not sure why it would!). Just want to get settled etc!

Hi all,

Pretty new here but just thought I'd let you know that I am also in the same boat! My 457 visa was submitted on 10/06 and still no news! ...There was an update on 11/7 to say that it was being processed further though. It's good to know I'm not the only one in limbo! Finger's crossed it comes through soon for us all!

Hi all,

Im a 26 year old female brit moving to the Gold Coast next month - would love to know of any recommended social groups/activities for young people that me & my partner can get involved in to meet new people! :smile:

My partner also plays football - are there many local teams he could potentially join?

Thanks,

Kate