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....

In his opinion, not very likely in the near future.

Westwoodwizard, My agent has confirmed by ringing up Qld office that I can no longer change 176fs to 176ss. I will be lodging a new 190 application.

Arshad, It is no longer possible to convert 176fs to 176ss. My agent confirmed with the sponsoring state office.

Congrats king11.

I am FS176 applied online April 2008 LR country No CO

Dyanne, Category 3, schedule 3 - is it referring to occupation in demand? I remember there was another list of occupations in demand back then but it is not the same as SOL list. My nominated occupation was on the SOL but not on the other list. When I applied, I actually had enough points to go for 175 but I went for 176 instead thinking that having a sponsor would be added advantage. I did not use an agent and by the time they emailed me in July 2012 (I believe we got the same email), my occupation has already been dropped from the SOL list. I didn't consider looking for a State sponsor at that time because I just had a baby and a move just wasn't on my cards yet with another toddler in tow. Now, with things a bit settled, I am reconsidering my plans and looking at other options and the only option I have now is going for state sponsorship. I do hope that all 176FS will finally get processed after such a long wait. It is just not fair to keep us hoping for so long.

AdamSarah, My agent submitted my Vetassess on 2nd Jan 2014. I have been waititng till now. It is close to 18weeks now. The wait is killing me. I do want to make it this financial year.

Hi Jacky, I wouldn't get my hopes up so high. As westwood wizard says, we offshore cat5 FS are at the bottom of their processing list. I think person 3 has been there for some time, can't remember since when though. They were quick enough to change my passport details as I have uploaded my new passport details by submitting form 929 but I still do not see my 2 sons details being added as person 4 and person 5 although I emailed them Form1022 Change of Circumstances at the same time as my Form 929. There were no email from them informing me my passport details have been changed. It was only when I tried to check my application status online using my old passport number, it says a mismatched with my TRN. When I tried my new passport number, I am able to log in. I do not know how long it takes for them to verify an addition of child/children to current 176I application. Perhaps someone who have done so could provide some info?

Thanks fro the info cjenky.:biggrin: May I know what is your nominated occupation as well?

Hi Jacky, Mine showed the same thing. Family sponsor name is now named as Person 3 on online status.