Felix123

Thanks for finding it. This is actually another case. One I read about was US citizen working for major international firm. So many seem to find PR to be the golden ticket. It is only a indefinite visa. Indefinite if you follow the rules.

My thoughts on the recent changes... I am lucky my citizenship application is in and pending. Irrespective of whether I meet the old or new rules I do believe some changes to the system are necessary. To the detriment of others, there are far too many people in Australia who have abused the intent of the system and in particular possess weak English skills (how some passed the IELTS test heaven knows). You could say the system failed but I question how some individuals I have come across fully and properly pass the required English language requirement and test. Secondly, I detect a great sence of entitlement some people have to achieving PR or citizenship. The "give me my PR visa or passport now as I've been here years" attitude is wrong. If a prospective migrant does not have the skills or the language requirements to contribute to the economy fully and properly then space should be made for someone who can. What I do disagree with is changing the goal posts for those who have met the requirement fully and properly and who were to apply for citizenship in the time frame available to them at the time of gaining permanent residency. Those individuals will already have gone through English language testing and skills verification. Moving the goal post is wrong even when it may not have been the intention of a permanent resident to apply for citizenship. I believe this problem has been excaserbated by migrants whose skills and language assessments were marginal at best, who did not intergrate with society fully to enable further improvements in their English language and general work skills for which they gained permanent residency. I have met many a taxi driver, cafe manager, shop worker, and the like who had studied Community Care, Aged Care, and "pay a big fee for a Certificate 4" etc who are working in fields far removed from the skills they claimed to have in order to gain permanent residency. Many of those have English language skills which would be questionable if used in their field of "expertise". I have no doubt this is one of the reasons for tightening the rules, to put right areas where the system has failed. In regards to 457 visas, well as it says on the box, they are temporary and its has been shown time and time again that the rules change to meet with local market conditions. Those deadset on achieving PR should apply for permanent residency from the start - and if the applicant doesn't have the skill or language requirement then that's what they should work on. The system cannot be blamed when those who come to Australia temporarily intend from day one to stay permanently. I came here on a 457 visa to fill a role which the employer could not fill after 1 years executive search. I planed to stay for 2 years after which I would have been happy to move back to the UK. I stayed because my employer wanted me to stay and enjoyed the job. I have set up home here, will probably go overseas and work elsewhere, but I will certainly return as I now consider Australia home. I should point out that I only felt Australia was home after gaining PR - probably at my own peril in terms of property costs etc.

Do you remember about 6 years ago an American CEO of a fairly well known accounting firm (on a 457 visa) based in Brisbane was caught evading fares on Brisbane City Trains? He had proven he had used his travel card and the correct fare had been deducted on every trip to work since the new card reader system had been put in place but one day he didn't swipe his card correctly. The guy came across a ticket inspector. It was decided to set an example of the guy. He faced a court hearing, a large fine, a criminal conviction, and subsequently cancellation of his 457 visa. He was no "bikie" - just a law obiding resident going about his lawful business. Many people live here as permanent residents for decades and never become citizens - some it works for and some it doesn't.

This is a very interesting article and does make me wonder whether darts are being sharpened in readiness to blame immigration for an impending recession. House price bubble, falling consumer confidence, interest rate volitility.... Citizenship, visa changes defended by Assistant Minister on Q&A ABC News Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke spends his Q&A appearance fending off attacks on the Government's sweeping changes to the nation's citizenship laws and the abolition of the 457 visa. Read the full story

I would suggest protesting in the street is unlikely to have the desired result. Pen is mightier than the sword - although having seen the literary skills used by some of the local media and those on here there's certainly a need for more robust English language skills for Australians and migrants.

What about those who applied before 20 April. Are greater delays expected or expediency to clear preexisting prechange applications?

I agree. Seems that the governments own initial language skill verification isn't up to scratch. Am sure the additional language testing will attract a handsome new fee. I appied for citizenship on Tuesday having held PR for 1 year. Will all the new rules and testing apply to me do you think?

Even though I applied for citizenship on Thursday I'm can help but feel gutted about the change in the rules. I'm from an English speaking background and put plenty into society through integrating with the community and massive tax. The avalanche of news about migrant policy does make me question how welcome I am here. I do wonder if my application will be effected? Will I have to wait 4 years? Will I have to do a 200 buck English test when my English is better than most and I have a Masters of Emglish literature from a top university? Fingers crossed for everyone today.

Would-be Australians will face tough new hurdles – including a new English language and "Australian values" test – and have to wait several more years before being eligible for citizenship, under a major shake-up of the migration program. Migrants could be asked whether they support female genital mutilation and forced marriages, or whether it's acceptable to strike a spouse at home, under proposed values-based citizenship test questions to be put to the public for feedback. Applicants will also have to demonstrate they have attempted to integrate into Australian society, providing evidence of a job, the enrolment of their children in school, and even membership of community organisations. Under the current system, migrants enter Australia on a range of visas. They can then become permanent residents but have to wait a further year before applying for citizenship. The one-year wait will rise to four years under the redesigned scheme. Would-be Australians will face tough new hurdles – including a new English language and "Australian values" test – and have to wait several more years before being eligible for citizenship, under a major shake-up of the migration program. Migrants could be asked whether they support female genital mutilation and forced marriages, or whether it's acceptable to strike a spouse at home, under proposed values-based citizenship test questions to be put to the public for feedback. Applicants will also have to demonstrate they have attempted to integrate into Australian society, providing evidence of a job, the enrolment of their children in school, and even membership of community organisations. Under the current system, migrants enter Australia on a range of visas. They can then become permanent residents but have to wait a further year before applying for citizenship. The one-year wait will rise to four years under the redesigned scheme. ?

God the whole process is like a moving feast. Hoping existing applications will be processed.

Apparently from Sydney Morning Herald citizenship rules will change tomorrow. 4 year wait instead of 1 year to apply for citizenship. I applied yesterday having been a permanent resident for 1 year. Does this mean my application would count or would I be subject to the 4 year wait? ???

Hello, I have recently got PR through 186 and previously held reciprocal Medicare care with my 457 visa. I have been looking on the Medicare website and cannot find the information. Do I have to go to the Medicare office to have my membership changed from reciprocal card to full Medicare care or can I do this online? Thanks Felix

Finally our day has come. Finalised this evening. Good luck to everyone on here....its been a long wait for us and finally we can feel at home. The wait is horrible, there are low days and good days but if you want to reach a destination you will get there. Temporary Residence Transition - Cook Nomination and Visa Applied: 15th Oct 2015 | 23rd Oct 2015 Status: Nomination and Visa Approved on 15th April 2016

Hello fellow waiters... Can anyone tell me if the status on Immi Account changes when the case officer opens the file. My application still says Application Received and I am now starting to get the urge to continually check throughout the day. Excluding when the CO requests documents does the account say processing or anything like that or does it just change to granted or denied?

I hope to god they are.....I'm still waiting :goofy:

Good morning all. Another day in line.... Here's my questions of the day... 1. Any more strikes on the horizon? 2. Are the PENDING applications in August and September still pending or because applicant has been declined or not thought about updating their status after receiving the golden ticket? 3. Some applications have been granted for October, and in this month their appear to be less applications than August and September. Does this mean things are speeding up? 4. There are no applications declined on the spreadsheet? I suspect these are the ones that continue to say PENDING? Good luck all.... lets hope things progress today... I feel like I have been on a long journey...

I'm hoping so! Thanks for the feedback

Hi Guys, Our nomination and visa application was submitted in October 2015. I notice that in the Google Spreadsheet that there appear to be fewer 186 visa applications in September and October. While the spreadsheet probably isn't representative of all those queuing up for a 186 visa I am hoping it indicates there may be fewer applications during September and October - therefore, does this mean that application processing may start to pick up speed? What's your opinion? Felix