Melbelle

Hi all I applied for citizenship on 16 November and just received my interview and test date for August 13 in Sydney CBD. I’m actually grains to the UK tomorrow and returning on 11 August - doubt I’ll grt much time to ‘study’. Anyone know how much studying is required - unsure of to stick with date or request a reschedule? thanks

Hello Last month I married my Aussie partner in Sydney. I am now applying for a new UK passport in my married surname. The supporting documents requested include: evidence of your name in current use, one document dated within the last year, from the following: tax record eg letter from a tax authority educational record eg school report employment record eg official letter from your employer letter sent to you from a central, regional or local department. This might be a silly question but does the above evidence need to be in my new surname or maiden name? Appreciate any advice from anyone who has been through the process. Thanks in advance Mel

Hello all I have been a silent follower of this forum for many months now and today I got my phone call from migration agent Nom applied: 7 april Visa applied: 4 May Both nom and visa approved today 3 November LR coutnry 1 person transition application occupation: Social Professional NEC no documents requested from immi This was my organisations first nomination for PR. Not sure of processing team yet as awaiting final documents from my migration agent. I will update spreadsheet once confirmed. Good luck to everyone, it seems that they are quickly progressing through April applications now. Mel

MA has submitted my visa application today (nom submitted 7/4/16). Letting the waiting begin!

Thanks for the quick response. You have provided the clarification I needed

Hi I was just wondering what people know about the recent changes regarding 'payment of visa sponsorships'? Background: I am currently on 457 visa and beginning discussions with work for PR - 186 transition stream (eligible to apply middle of March). Early stages are indicating they are happy to pay for nomination but not the visa fee. I stumbled across this new information on 'payment of visa sponsorships and was wondering if this mean that employers have to pay for both the nomination and visa fee? Any insight would be appreciated? "On 14 December 2015 new criminal and civil penalties and visa cancellation provisions were introduced as part of a framework that allows for sanctions to be imposed on a person who asks for, receives, offers or provides a benefit in return for a visa sponsorship or employment that requires visa sponsorship (otherwise known as a 'sponsorship-related event')." "....it is not acceptable for a foreign worker to become an Australian permanent resident or be granted a work visa for Australia by paying an employer for their visa," More information on immi website - https://www.border.gov.au/FAQs/Pages/what-is-payment-for-visas.aspx http://www.minister.border.gov.au/peterdutton/2015/Pages/Paying-for-visa-sponsorship-outlawed.aspx Thanks in advance Mel

Hi Ladies, Thanks for the reply. Just thought I would provide an update on my situation in case other people are going through a similar thing. NB as of January 2014 - all overseas passport applications are now being processed in the UK I completed the on-line application for passport renewal 17/03/14 - then printed and posted documents Passport application received in Liverpool, UK 21/03/14 HRH website advises a minimum processing time of 3-4 weeks I have written a letter with my application advising of my travel plans I phoned the passport office every day once the 4 weeks were reached - eventually spoke to a very helpful man and he said he would send an email requesting processing ASAP My passport was printed 25/04/14 Passport received in Sydney 5/05/14 Old and new passports are sent separately so I wont have my old passport with me when i fly tomorrow so am now trying to contact DIAC to link my new passport to my 457 visa! All good though - happy I am not having to fork out $180 for an emergency travel document!

Hi has anyone recently submitted and received a British passport renewal? i submitted mine 17th March, received 21st March. They have now had it one month and it has not been 'assessed' yet. Slight concern is I fly sydney to uk on 6th May (2weeks). I asked them to note on my file my travel dates but they said that's all they can do. i am freaking out a little now-any experience stories would be appreciated! thanks

Hi Everyone, This is my first post so please bare with me. I arrived in Oz 18 Jan 2012 on working holiday visa (completed my specified work in a regional area) and was granted my second WHV which expires 17.1.14 My current employer is willing to sponsor me (they have never sponsored anyone before). We are going to submit the standard business sponsorship application, nomination and my 457 application all at once (tomorrow) and i would then go onto bridging visa. However we have been told that the bridging visa will not be granted until the standard business sponsorship application has been approved - which may be after my visa expires. Looking for advice on what to do - is this true? Any help/experience would be much appreciated. Thanks, Mel