watson150

Thanks MaggieMay! I have received one email from immigration asking for a National Police Check for Australia and thats it. I have done this and uploaded to the application. Just sitting and waiting now Fingers crossed I get permanent residency soon!

Hi All, I have been in Australia now coming up 8 years. I was originally here on a 457 visa, but in November last year was made redundant. So my husband (who is an Australian Citizen) and I (UK Citizen) decided it was time to do the Partner Visa for Permanent residency. So we submitted and paid for the application back on Feb 4th. With all relevant documents that fully detail our 5 years together and over 2 years of marriage. It was only last week that we received notification that our application is being allocated to a case officer soon. I was wondering if anyone had done the same visa and had their permanent residency approved sooner than the advisory of the 2 years they mention? I am just wondering if there is a possibility. I have been here 8yrs, worked non-stop, paid taxes etc. Have a mortgage on a home as well. Just wondering if this would assist in my application. Thanks In Advance

I did advise immigration that I was made redundant by my sponsor. And that I had put in an application for a Partner visa. They advise that it is 100% correct, that because I had a substantive visa, then my Bridging visa could not come into effect until that expired or my Partner visa was approved, whichever came first. I am fully legal to be in the country. I have argued with immigration many times about expecting me to be out of work for 8 months, but it has not changed anything. The only thing i could do was to find another sponsor. But that is a struggle on its own, and when I did finally find someone who would sponsor me, immigration advised there was a 3 month processing wait for the transfer of sponsors. I have two months until I can work, why pay sponsor fees and process paperwork for something that takes longer? All in all, I cannot work until July.

Thanks for your response. I have only done 4 hours a week with charities. So have not gone over the 20 hours. I will have to look further into this.

Hi Everyone, Long story short - Have been in Australia for 7.5 years on a 457 visa. Was made redundant back on November 30. Put in application for Partner visa (married to Aussie for 2years, together for 5). In the process of waiting for this application to be processed, have been granted a Bridging Visa which allows me to work and remain in Australia legally. However - And here is where it gets tricky. My bridging visa will not come into effect until July 7th, which is the original expiry date of my 457. So, this meant having to be unemployed for 7/8 months! Ridiculous. :mad: So because of this, I took up some volunteering with Animal Shelters, charities etc. to prevent myself from going crazy at home. My question is, if a Job was to come up, and it was perfect but they could not hold open the position until July, am I able to offer to work for them until July on a 'Volunteer / Free of Charge' basis, if it will secure me the position to start in July? I am fed up of being out of work, and turning down ideal jobs because of this wait. And if I am able to do this, it would at least help me secure something, so that I have a job, instead of waiting until July, and then again not knowing how long it may take to find a job. It has already been 6 months out of work, we have a mortgage to pay. Its getting tight. If I have to refrain from applying until July, I could be another 6 mths out of work, which is just not do-able. Any assistance with this question will be gratefully received. Thank you.

Hi, Can someone answer a question for me, I was made redundant and only had 4 months left on my 457 visa. I have found a company who is happy to take over the sponsorship. Just wondering if any one knows if they have to pay the full amount to sponsor when it is only required for the four months? I will not require sponsorship after as i will have a partner visa in effect. Any information would be greatly appreciated

Hi Everyone! I have been in Australia for 7 years working under a 457 Visa sponsorship. However, back in November I was made redundant. I have now submitted a Partner Visa (married to Australian Citizen for 18mths, been together for 5 years) However, restriction between the visa transition, means I am unable to work unless I find another sponsor, at least until July which is the original expiry date on my 457. Ridiculous considering I have spent nearly $8,000 for this new visa application a month ago, nobody has even looked at it. But they expect me to be unemployed for 8 months with a mortgage to pay? How can this be! So, just wondering if anyone can poitn me towards a good website that advertises 457 sponsorship jobs? Other than places like Seek? I am going out of my mind, and i need a job!

Hi, Just to clarify, my 457 visa was due to expire in July 2016. However, on December 1st 2015, my position with the company was made redundant, therefore putting my 457 visa into the 90 day period to find another sponsoring company or leave Australia. Which unfortunately has not been possible. That 90days ends on March 1st. I submitted my application for a Partner visa as my husband and I have been together 4.5years and married for 18mths now, he is Aussie Citizen since birth. I was automatically issued a Bridging Visa A when submitted my application. Any ideas on what happens when my 90day period ends and expires my 457? Does that mean my BVA will then come into effect?

I am a little confused with this Bridging Visa E? When submitting my Partner Visa application, I have obtained a Bridging Visa A, with no work limitations. It also stated that as I had a current substantive visa, the Bridging Visa would not come into effect until this one ceases. But without finding another sponsor, then it would cease after the 90days surely?

Hi MaggieMay, Does this mean that the 90day expiry period is not valid? Do I need to contact immigration to cancel this so as I can have my bridging visa come into effect? I need to get back into working after my redundancy and have been waiting for the 90days to finalise so as my bridging visa comes into effect? I have not received any notification from DIBP regarding the cancellation of my visa? Now I am worried

Hi Pommekate, Sorry the date I was made redundant was December 2015 not 2014. My 457 visa has a 90day period to allow me to either find another sponsor, or leave Australia. Upon this 90 day period expiring, then my Bridging Visa will come into effect whilst my Partner visa is being processed. I was hoping that being a full working tax payer on my own merit for the last 7 years would have helped my application. But processing visas has probably changed alot in 10 years.

Hi Everyone, Quick run down - Been in Australia for over 7 years on 457 visa, made redundant on December 1st 2014. Been with husband for 4.5years - Married in September 2014 (17mths) - He is an Australian Citizen Born and bred! I am originally from the UK. Applied, submitted and paid for Partner Visa on February 2nd. Attached all necessary documents, completed and passed health assessment etc. My questions to you are, and although their website has guidelines, I am interested to learn of people's actual experience if possible: 1) How long did it take your application to be assigned to a Case Worker? 2) Has the 'Permanent' part of the Partner visa ever been given quicker than the stated 2 Years? Thanks heaps in advance everyone!

Hi, I have got my health assessment booked in tomorrow in Brisbane. Can anyone advise what is involved? thanks!

Hi Everyone I am completing my online application, but when attaching documents, it keeps telling me that PDF files are not accepted?? Is this correct? If so, why supply 40SP and other forms in PDF Format, if we cannot attach them? I have absolutely every document they need, but in PDF, Because I had read that they accepted PDF Files? Anyone managed to upload?

Thanks for your quick response. I was under the belief that attaching a PDF document to my visa application was ok? Yet everytime I go to attach one, it advises the file type is in correct. Is this right?

Hi Everyone, I have submitted my Partner visa application online. And am now able to attach any supporting documents. I notice that I can attach documents to either my name as the applicant, or under my husbands name as the sponsor. Can anyone advise which of the two I would attach items such as Statutory Declarations from those who confirm our relationship is genuine and continuing? Or do I just put everything on my name, and just put my husbands identification documents and his own 'story of us' so to speak under his name? Thanks in Advance

Hi All, I have finalised all the details on my ImmiAccount online for my visa application. However, at no point did it request any attachments for supporting evidence, and I cant see where I can attach? Any ideas? I did try to call Immigration, but when it said I was # 60 in the queue, I decided I MIGHT get a quicker response this way

Can that Statutory declarations be from anyone we know? Such as family members, friends and coworkers? (we both worked at the same company, its how we met)

We don't have a joint tenancy or mortgage? We have a mortgage yes, but this is only in my husbands name. The process and deposit requirements from most banks for 'Temporary' residents was just too much of a headache to bother with. Will this be a problem?

Thanks for that. I have compiled a folder with dividers for everything. They may not want Facebook history to go through completely, but I figured if it was there, then they can see the commitment in full. We have some mail in the same address, but not jointly. As I mentioned, the plan was to become permanent on my own merit, which was promised to me twice by my employer for sponsorship because of the work I have doen for them. But this redundancy has knocked it on the head.

Hi Everyone! Long story cut as short as possible. I arrived here in 2008 on a 457 visa. Employer sponsored. Have been on the 457 visa since. However, on November 30 2015, my position was made redundant. In my understanding, I have 90days to find another sponsor or leave Australia. However, back in September 2014, I was married to an Australian Citizen. Never having applied for a Partner visa before as I wanted to obtain my permanent residency on my own merit, I unfortunately have to face the huge task of applying for a Partner visa now that I face deportation if I don't, as finding another sponsor is proving difficult. Obviously I am still in Australia. I have listed below what I have so far for evidence of a continuing relationship. If anyone can advise me on other items I could use to assist, it would be greatly appreciated. Bearing in mind, we have no joint accounts or joint bills, everything is in my husbands name, (its easier applying for things being a citizen than a temporary resident). And my salary has been paid in my husbands account. Its painful enough that being In Australia for 7 years, paying my taxes and working non stop, as well as being married to an Australian, I am still faced with a $6895 visa fee and a long process of gathering all the information together for 4 and a half years of our relationship. The last thing I need is a constant back and forth battle with immigration with different information as well. When knowing that they would only have a to spend a few days with my husband and I to realise how genuine this relationship is. I am originally from England, and I am a Citizen of the UK. The evidence I have gathered so far is as follow; Copies of both our Driving Licences, Birth Certificates, and Marriage Certificate. 121 Pages of Facebook History between my husband and I printed, showing dates, photos and posts together. Album of photos of us together - I think my hair going from chin length to the bottom of my back shows time! Album of photos of us with groups of friends and family - Showing acceptance as a couple. Holiday Photo Albums Honeymoon Photos Wedding Photos Engagement and Wedding Cards showing messages from friends and family. Photos from events we have attended Photos and details of our dog Cooper who we got 3 years ago. Bank Statements from the last year showing both salaries going in one account, and all bills and transactions going out. Statements from both of us, detailing our relationship, how we met, how our relationship has progressed and plans for the future in our own words. Nature of the Household, such as chores, bills etc. I think that is it so far. Appreciate any advice.

Hi there! wondered if you could help me? I moved here in 2008 on a 457 working visa. I am still on a 457 visa even though September last year I got married, to an Australian citizen. However, we are looking at starting a family soon and I wondered if I would get any maternity leave from my employer? In my understanding, the government will pay 13wks maternity leave, which is paid to the employer, who passes this on in my monthly salary and my employer contributes the difference between what the government give and what I normally take home. But not being a permanent resident means there is no government paid maternity leave, does my employer still have to pay me? i know I have been paying my taxes etc in this country for 6years now and I understand and have no problems not receiving anything from the government, but as an employee, am I eligible for anything? any advice greatly received