JetBlast

1 minute ago, Marisawright said:

It’s disgusting the way they have treated 489 holders. As you say, most would have their whole life here. I guess given their past record on this, you can’t trust ‘em

I hate the uncertainty. What makes it worse is that 887 applicants who are overseas have their visa grants in a couple of months. Meanwhile, the people who are onshore, contributing to society (I am also in a critical sector) are left not knowing what to do. This also has an impact on my Australian partner who is getting caught in the "crossfire".

Rant over 

As many of you will probably know, 489 holders have been unable to travel in and out of Australia for quite a long time. Since December 488 holders can cross the border.

I am a 489 holder, waiting for my 887 to be granted. I am in a full time job and De facto relationship with an Australian Citizen - my entire life is here. If I was to leave Australia for a few weeks and the COVID circumstances change and they close the borders am I likely to be stuck on the wrong side with no path back.

I know nobody has a crystal ball, but input would be appreciated.

Thanks

What country is the Police check? I believe not all have them so it might be a moot point.

No 1 & 4. This information can be found on the Home Affairs website.
For example: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/prospective-marriage-300 or you may want to see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore

3 - If you get a Subclass 300 you will have upto 9 - 15 months - Information is on the above link.

I would try and and book the direct flight. It means you won’t have the COVID red tape in intermediate countries you will have to transit through. 

23 minutes ago, rammygirl said:

Brighton Beach in SA at the weekend. Not a pebble in sight.
 

 

A photo of the same beach taken by myself this evening. It’s a great place to visit. 

7 hours ago, Canada2Australia said:

I would have never thought time on a tourist visa counted towards the four year golden rule. That seems like a fairly large loophole to allow many more people to gain citizenship on a far less stringent pathway than most of us had to follow.

You still have to be on PR for 12 months. It's not like you can keep extending tourist visas and then get a passport.

9 hours ago, Emily91 said:

Thanks for your response. Are you a teacher and PTE was okay for your 190 visa? I just fine-tooth combing everything as I don't want to miss-step. Thanks in advance! 

Im not a teacher, but that really doesn't have anything to do with it. The PTE was fine for my visa, got me the "superior" points I needed and I am now in Australia.

This link might be useful - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/superior-english

On 27/12/2021 at 13:06, Emily91 said:

Hi All, 

I recently posted about preparing my application for the 190 visa and explained I was planning on sitting the ielts test.  Someone kindly advised they wouldn't go with ielts because of its strict marking system. The Pearson (PTE) has been recommended to me as an easier exam board. For some background, I am a Canadian-trained history teacher, with two degrees and not scoring superior on the ielts exam board after a decent amount of studying. It's pretty demoralizing.  I would greatly appreciate it if anyone would weigh in on their exam experiences so I can give myself a good shot at getting superior English. 

Thanks in advance! 

I used PTE but I needed some online tutoring to help use a particular style of writing so the computer scores high on the written sections. I used this company, it was cheap and didn't take too much time. My score increased massively after just a few hours.

https://www.e2language.com/

3 hours ago, llessur said:

Whilst there are some dodgy suburbs to the north of Adelaide writing off anything north of the city is a bit drastic. Prospect has some great heritage houses and is rapidly becoming gentrified - it's a heritage suburb within spitting distance of the CBD so it's only going in one direction. Neighbouring Medindie is pretty much up there with North Adelaide for posh houses and tweed-wearing gentry levels.

I probably wouldn't look north of Regency Road at this stage but city fringe suburbs are definitely worth a look and would likely be a sound investment.

I said “as a rule”. I didn’t say everything and anything. But I wouldn’t consider Prospect as a nice area like Medindie. But it certainly isn’t Elizabeth. 

On 17/12/2021 at 11:26, Marisawright said:

then had to sell it after 3 or 4 years, there's no way you would recoup the $120,000 you paid in fees and charges ($66,500 foreign investor surcharge, $46,000 stamp duty, $8,000 transfer fee). 

You don't know the Adelaide property market. That would be recouped. It has been done so in the past 18 months alone. I actually followed similar advice from yourself and lost money.

@Daffyduck As a rule avoid place north of North Adelaide. I wouldn't live in Prospect.

Lots of Poms choose Hallett Cove. But I guess it depends if you want to integrate with the locals or not.

To be honest you will be more likely killed on some of the bizarre road layouts in Melbourne CBD. 

When I was in Queensland I only saw pythons and they won’t kill you. I am now in South Australia and saw 2 brown snakes in one day. Both in a nature reserve not out in the city of suburbs. One of the browns was a baby in a creek. The other was in the grass on the edge of the path, I came less than 1 Meter of it before I spotted it. The snake actively avoided me and changed direction. 

In Australia many popular beach’s have shark nets I prevent them getting close to humans. They also have helicopters patrolling the area looking for them. 

Something to consider. To be a teacher I. Australia I think you need to have studied a degree for 4 years. In the UK it’s typically 3 years. In the past a few people have become stuck with this. I haven’t seen anything to suggest the OP has done 4 years at Uni?
 

Happy for someone to correct me. 

You're Welcome. Please update us with your progress.

On 12/11/2021 at 12:22, Darren_213 said:

I was never told about the travel limit on my PR visa

I wouldn’t use this when you’re making your case. It is written in your grant notification letter so I doubt you will get any sympathy. 

@MJS

It looks like your 489 visa can be extended. 
 

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/permanent-residency-pathway-for-select-skilled-migrants-who-chose-to-stay-in-australia-during-covid

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/permanent-residency-pathway-for-select-skilled-migrants-who-chose-to-stay-in-australia-during-covid

“In addition, the government has also decided to provide visa extensions for skilled regional (provisional visa) holders (subclass 489, 491 and 494) who remain stranded overseas due to COVID-induced border restrictions.”

17 hours ago, Nemesis said:

The passenger card doesnt ask about employment.

It asks your 

"Usual Occupation"

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-leaving-australia/files/ipc-sample-english.pdf

Click view details. There is a button you need to press to confirm you have submitted the information (this might be under the documents section). Without pressing this the application won't proceed.

1 minute ago, Marisawright said:

I don't think it has any relevance to offshore processing at all.  

The pause in processing offshore applications was due to a concern that there would be a big surge in unemployment due to Covid shutdowns, so they didn't want to award visas in occupations where there wouldn't be a need.  Here's a quote from Immigration:  "The government is closely monitoring migration and visa settings to ensure they are consistent with public health measures, are flexible and do not displace job opportunities for Australians so that Australia can deal with the immediate and post-recovery impacts of COVID-19." 

One would think they've worked out what the needs are likely to be post-Covid so they could start re-opening, but who knows?  

There is a huge skill shortage in SA. We need good people. It’s a nightmare finding skilled workers. 

Excellent news for 489 and many other visa holders!

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/vaccinated-travellers

@MJS

The border is now opening to 489 holders

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/vaccinated-travellers

6 minutes ago, LindaH27 said:

I thought one of the conditions of 870 was that you had to have private health insurance? 

Sorry - I thought I was replying to a different thread. I am on a different visa.

Sorry!

1 minute ago, April said:

Even people from countries with reciprocal medical arrangement would buy private health insurance anyway. 

I don’t have private…

On 12/11/2021 at 22:00, RJR said:

Just to add we wish to make an investment of $300000 this time in Adelaide as we are selling off our house in India

This won’t make a difference.

But as someone who is looking to buy a house in Adelaide you will need much more than this. Probably double to find a reasonable house in a reasonable suburb.