ChristineChew

I have not logged onto this forum for some time. I was shocked as well to hear of the cap and cease as I was also a former 176 offshore applicant before I decided the waiting game has to end. One year exactly after I was granted PR in another visa category this cap and cease came into effect. I really do not know what to say. I will continue to support you guys if you decide to fight on but if there is an alternative way maybe you should consider it as well. Don't give up your dream.

I am using Australia Relocation Services. They service Malaysia and Singapore. A new visa application depends on what category of visa you are applying and how many dependents you are including in your application. A check using visa cost estimator will tell you how much its going to cost. My new visa application was AUD7040 as I have included my spouse and 2 children. Agent fees, VETASSESS, translations, IELTS×2, State sponsorship fee, PCC and medicals will cost another AUD5000 (estimated). Hope this helps.

Hi SSL, First application was done by ourselves and second application lodged using an agent. It was around this time last year that I decided to look up an agent to see if there are any other possibilities instead of continuing waiting for 176. My agent didn't think it will get processsed in another 4-6years. He advised us to relodged a new application but not necessary to withdraw the old application yet. And of course, visa application fees have gone up considerably compared to 6 years ago. It was a huge gamble for me; I risk losing my new application fee if 176 did get processed. My grant letter for 190 has advised me to withdraw any pending visa application. Everything has to be redone including IELTS, VETASSESS assessment, PCC n medicals. My occupation was dropped from the Skilled Occupation List years ago but luckily was on Queensland CSOL. Based on my agent's assesment, I stand a very good chance of getting my 190 and I have not looked back since. Try to see if there are any possibilties available to relodge a new application. You will have to bear in mind that you will never get your application fee back if you withdraw your first application. Good luck mate!

rach01484, Received my grant last week. What's ur timeline?

Thanks mate. And best of luck to you.

Received grant yesterday. I applied on June 20th. From my observation, grants come after 2 weeks of submitting final documents requested by case officer. Keep your fingers crossed everybody. :wink:

Dear fellow 176 FS, I will be withdrawing my 176 application as I hv received my grant for 190 today. It has been a long 6years 5months 5days of wait for us and I am glad that it has finally come to an end. I wish to thank all of my fellow friends here for the advice and replies to my queries. Please do not give up hope of coming to Australia, if one way doesn't work we just have to find another way. One day, we might be able to meet up in OZ land. Keep the hope alive.

Any grants received?

Hi gwheng, I took a gamble n decided to lodge a new application instead of waiting. Took less than 3 mths to be assigned a case officer for my 190. Now in the last stage of submitting my health n pcc. Good luck in ur new application. If you get a chance, grab it. It might not come your way again

Congratulations Shisman. Hope everyone get theirs too soon.

Arshad is right. I have 3 secondary applicants included in my application.

I'm over the moon. CO assigned. Brisbane team 32 request additional information. :ssign19:

Hi all, My application was lodged end of June 2014. Medicals and PCC not done yet.

Mate, I have moved on. I found out I am eligible for 190 late last year and decided to submit a new application. If one way doesn't work, we just have to find another way. I know some of you may think I am a fool that by doing this I am going to make those people in DIBP a happy lot. They don't have to process my 176 and they get free money. I maybe a fool but the most important thing is the final result. That is finally be able to break free from this waiting game and being where I want to be.

Getting allocated a co doesn't mean we will be getting a visa anytime soon. They will just probably allocate us a co to make us happy and our files will get thrown back into the storeroom again. I am sick and tired of waiting. How many years more do you really think they will make us wait? Heck....they could be thinking, they have waited for so long, they wouldn't mind waiting a few more years....