helpplease

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can confirm if being on a bridging visa for 491 visa is under the eligibility criteria for early release of super in the FY 20-21? Is the 491 visa being classed as a temporary resident visa or a permanent resident visa? Thanks!

Hi all, Hope everyone is doing well. I have a query about changing the distribution of EOI after invitation has been issued and before lodgement. I saw on the application form, there is a box where notes can be written if you do wish to make changes to the original EOI. For example, if i am unable to prove some of my earlier experience and have claimed points in my EOI but I did not claim points for my superior level of English, can I remove points claimed for experience and claim superior English points instead? The total amount of points will be the same, possibly higher. I was wondering how this will affect the visa decision. Thanks!

Hi, I have tried to get work experience documentation to prove my UK work experience which was about 7-8 years ago. I have contacted my previous employers and they said due to government regulations, they no longer hold any personnel data on their records. My agent said I need a document with my position description on it. Also I need tax records to prove I worked there - I have logged onto my HMRC account and they only go back to 2015. I didn't keep any physical copies as I didn't realise I was going to need them! But will definitely keep everything from now on! Please can you anyone advise if they have come across this before? Thanks.

Hi all, Hope you're all well. I am currently in the process of applying for another visa. I am on a 457 visa which expires in 2 months (July) and have been made redundant due to COVID 19. Does the bridging visa have unlimited work rights? Also is the start date able to be brought forward rather than when my current 457 visa expires? I have been unable to access any financial support since my redundancy so need to get back into the workforce as soon as possible! Thanks

Hi all, Not sure if this is the right thread but given the current economic climate, am I able to accept a short term contract (3/6 months) outside a designated postcode area? I will still be living in a regional area though. Will this affect my chances of getting PR? Should I contact immigration first before accepting the offer? Thanks!

Hi all, My documents in the QLD migration upload portal have been approved but I have yet to receive an email to apply from Home Affairs or any confirmation from state body? Does this mean that BSMQ has approved my nomination or they have just approved the documents? Any guidance would be great, thanks!

Onshore, finance manager. That’s unfortunate that they have stopped inviting offshore. Fingers crossed things get back to normal soon!

So I am assuming you are offshore?

I believe they have postponed for offshore nominations. I haven’t heard anything about onshore though.

Hi Zami, I am still waiting. Submitted all my documents first week of April. Are you offshore or onshore? I’m onshore living in QLD.

Hi, I just wanted to share my experience. I ended up taking the PTE 3 times despite being a native English speaker born in the UK. I complained to PTE the first 2 times claiming that the speaking marking process was flawed as I have taken several mock PTE test and always achieved scores in the 70s or 80s. They refunded my fees back due to technical issues they found after their investigation. Even after going through this, I thought I would give it one more shot and ended up getting 84. I changed my microphone position to just above my nostrils so my breathing was not picked up. Previously I had it to the side of my mouth or below my mouth. You might have to speak a bit louder but the speech is much more clearer. Hope this helps!

Hi, How long did it take for the CO from the state body to approve your documents? And after approval, how long did it take to receive an invitation from home affairs to apply for the visa? Thanks

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone has a rough estimate of the timeline to get an invite from home affairs after you've submitted all the documents to BSMQ (Queensland state governing body)? I luckily received an invite from the state body last week, submitted all documents today. Do you know how long it takes for BSMQ to approve? Thanks! Occupation: Finance manager and onshore. EOI was submitted early January 2020. 80 points.

Hi AmyL, Thanks for the advice! It is for QLD. This is the 491 state invitation from BSMQ which I believe is the process before you get actually invited by immigration to apply for the visa. The email said I had 14 days to supply for all documentation which includes proof of ongoing employment for the next 12 months.

Sorry i meant 491 state invitation!

Hi all, Unfortunately I was made redundant this week due to the current situation and soon after I received an invitation to apply for state sponsorship! Talk about typical timing! I know that you need to provide proof of ongoing employment for at least 12 months. I was wondering what are the chances that the case officer will allow me some time to find another job? Thanks

So now I have a dilemma - do i retake the PTE academic (even though I got a score of 29 in speaking, pronunciation 10!!! despite being a native English speak with a neutral accent but all other scores were good) or the IELTS test (where I got a speaking score of 9 but I am aware that the writing component is extremely difficult!)? Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Hi, any luck on the rescore? I have ended up with a score of 29 on speaking even though I am a native English speaker. I was not expecting full marks by any means but i was extremely shocked by 29! I didn't press next after I finished my speaking answer and I waited for the timer to run out before I pressed next. There were also some extremely loud candidates in my room!

Sorry, I meant the microphone was NOT picking my voice up and there are so MANY noisy candidates in the room!

No. I have a very neutral accent. I was born and bred in Manchester and people could never guess where the UK I originated from. I was thinking maybe I spoke too quietly and the microphone was picking it up. There were so very noisy candidates in that room! I’m wondering if it is worth a rescore?

Hi all, I am a native English speaker. I have sat both the IELTS and PTE tests. I have just received my PTE scores and in my speaking I only received 29!! Pronunciation was 10 which I believe is the lowest! I received a 9 in my speaking section for IELTS. Do you know where I could have gone wrong? Thanks

Hi all, My current 457 expires July 2020 and I am looking to obtain PR through the temporary transition stream with the 2 years working for the same employer however I have only been my current employer 7 months so therefore I am looking to apply for 482 visa to ensure I get the eligible 2 years. If i were to apply for the 482 visa now to avoid last minute rush, am I able to select a start date for the visa i.e start July 2020? Also the current nomination expires in April 2021 so with a minimum of 12 months on the new 482 visa expiring July 2021 if I select the start date, is my employer best off submitting another nomination along with my 482 visa or wait until April 2021? Quite a complex scenario but hopefully someone can assist! Thanks in advance!

The nomination took a couple of weeks to approve so a lot faster than I thought!

Hi all, I am currently on a 457 visa which expires middle of 2020 and looking to transfer employer and change my occupation on my current visa. The nomination under my new employer and occupation has been approved. Do I need to lodge a 482 visa application even though my current 457 visa doesn’t run out until 2020? If I need to lodge a 482 application, does this have to be approved before I start with my new employer? Thanks in advance!

Can anyone please draw from their knowledge and experience to provide any assistance? I don't think the levy is applicable to my spouse as I am the employee but the nomination has been approved already. We just need to amend the nomination to include him.