Kathss56

1 hour ago, Alan Collett said:

https://www.9news.com.au/national/partner-visa-australia-the-regulation-forcing-partners-to-make-expensive-and-risky-flights-overseas/423ee84e-f54d-4208-a1ec-679c4ed3099d

Might be of interest to those who are onshore and waiting to head offshore for the granting of a subclass 143 visa.

Maybe contact the Labor MP referenced in this article to have subclass 143 visa applicants included ?

Best regards.

Definitely going to email this MP, as I’m currently onshore anxiously waiting for NZ to open,  before they literally force me out !

3 hours ago, KathyN said:

Crisis averted! The airline agreed to escort me through customs and wait for my visa grant letter until 1 hour before boarding time. Then they will let me go! 

Otherwise they will offload me and I will have rebook flights and apply for an Air Travel Pass to enter Singapore, then go back to Australia. 

Fingers crossed!

Gosh I hope it comes through this is so ridiculous!  Hope you’re ok and not feeling to anxious. Feel for you! Good luck! Can you not apply for air travel pass now , does it come through instantly. After all you are coming in from Oz which is on the safe list 

1 minute ago, KathyN said:

Yes that's exactly it. The case officer says they will stay back as late as possible until close of business that day, and gave us their direct phone number for emergencies! 

What!!! Am gobsmacked haha 

2 minutes ago, KathyN said:

Today we received a call (!!!) from our case officer about my travel plans. The case officer was very considerate and accommodating, saying that as soon as I am cleared at immigration clearance and in the boarding area in Brisbane, they will do the paperwork to issue my grant letter straight away.

Wow! Good news. Are you flying out in Western time business hours then? Please let us know how you get on with it and your flight back. Good luck  

@KathyN they mean Allow 4-5 days out of the country. However!’ Sometimes visa activates grant after a few hours, sometimes the next day. but this is not guaranteed 

18 hours ago, Lady Jane said:

Contact Jennie Bardsley at British travel in Perth.  She can get you non bump seats for most places in Australia  

good luck 

 

Am wondering how they do this?  Wonder if its case of last booked a ticket first off!?   Still makes me nervous to book

2 minutes ago, KathyN said:

I found on Singapore Airlines websites that when transiting through Singapore, passengers from other countries except for India, Indonesia and Philippines are not required to do the Covid test in Singapore. https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/covid-19/#

General information for transit through Singapore Changi: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/transit-through-singapore/

 

Thanks, let us know how you get on with your flight and how long visa took to activate please. Good luck!

13 minutes ago, KathyN said:

Yes the airline says only a 5-hour transit in Singapore. I think transiting flights are exempt, but let me check to be sure.

Is that long enough to activate yr visa. I know sometimes it’s pretty instant but not always 

6 minutes ago, KathyN said:

I called Singapore Airlines and was able to book return flights to Singapore from 27 to 28 November (this weekend)! My return flight will be to Perth, then I will book a domestic flight from Perth to Brisbane.

Does anyone know if I will need to quarantine in Perth or can I quarantine in Brisbane? My hunch says Perth, then no need to quarantine again in Brisbane.

Yes I would say definitely Perth it’s about $2520 for one person. Are you sure  you don’t have to do 2 days quarantine /testing in Singapore?? Or are flights from Oz exempt from that? 
... The risk is your return flight being seriously delayed or cancelled. Mainly due to Adelaide closing the other day though so

2 hours ago, NatS259 said:

Completely stumped as to when to book my Mums flight for, knowing full well it’ll likely get bumped! Has anyone with a recent visa grant booked? So many unknowns it’s hard to now make a plan! Very frustrating as after the 2nd vac payment a business class flight + quarantine isn’t really an option right now. If it’s not one stressful waiting game it’s another

Are they offshore or onshore?

if offshore it might be cheaper and easier after New Year. Hoping they will increase the caps early next year.

If onshore ask for more time to leave like I have. Return flights are very scarce and as you say probably business class and quarantine ! 

13 minutes ago, Chanduni said:

We were given 28 days. We will definitely look into asking them for more time as that seems like the best option at the moment. Thank yoy

Another lady just paid and originally given 28 days to leave and they now have said try to leave within 3 months to her. Singapore is an option. You have to do 2 days quarantine then you could do extra day  in another hotel. Was about $3000  But the flight back is a risk, lots get cancelled and most  people book business class to secure a seat. 
we are saying can we wait until NZ opens!  You can but try!!

11 minutes ago, Chanduni said:

Hi everyone,

We got the 2nd VAC request yesterday and we paid it yesterday.  This is for the 143 visa that was applied in February 2016. As we are currently onshore, we got letter from the Immigration that we need to leave the country for at least 3 working days for them to grant the visa. Does anyone have a similar experience and where did you travel to? With the current situation, we are not sure which country is safe to go and doesn’t require a visa to enter that country and whether they will have us be in quarantine for 14 days . We are prepared to be in quarantine for 14 days once we come back to Australia. I really appreciate anyone’s knowledge and ideas regarding this matter 

How long have they given you to leave? Some of us are emailing them saying we don’t want to leave yet due to COVID and flight shortages for returning to Oz. I would ask them for longer. They have told me that if stay past Feb I will have to read do checks etc. I would definitely ask for more time due to the current pandemic 

7 minutes ago, Aaron88 said:

Hi all, received 2nd vac request about 1hr ago, see signature for details. 

thanks everyone for sharing info, good luck all. 

Woohoo. About time!!

2 hours ago, MELBNGSM said:

Yes that’s correct. Technically as an Australian you cant leave the country unless special circumstances apply.
But I understand what you are trying to highlight. 
There is quarantine to think about for someone who comes back as a PR from Singapore though. 

Also you have to do 2 days at a test centre in Singapore. Then hope your flight back isn’t cancelled and THAT is the big problem. I’d rather be stuck in the U.K. with my family than somewhere else  not knowing when you will on a flight back. You’d probably have to book business class to be honest. I’ve looked at it, would cost another $9k

1 hour ago, gagan1991 said:

Hi All, 

I just wanted to ask about the assurance of support approval letter. Once we get an approval for assurance of support- do we have to send the approval letter to the immigration department or Centrelink will send it to the immigration department automatically. 

Thanks all in advance.

I agree definitely send one yourself 

centelink do it but most of us have sent a copy to pvc team 

4 hours ago, Flangela100 said:

Hi I received my straight 143 today, lodged April 2016, phew!

Can anyone recommend a shipment company to send my small amount of belongings from the UK?

Cheers

Angela

Congrats. I used Anglo Pacific. Go on their website. Choose box sizes and they will give you a quote. I had 8 book and 2 tea chests think it was about £400 2yrs later I still haven’t opened 4 of them lol 

1 minute ago, BargeUK said:

I don't suppose you're able to fly to NZ and hang around in the airport till they issue your visa and then fly back again are you?  Perhaps they have some kind of holding area for transit passengers?

Still not open. NZ can fly here though. Jacinda wants Oz to go 28 days no community transmission before they open up to OZ!!

Just now, MELBNGSM said:

I understand! Perhaps Singapore will open up before NZ will. Keep an eye out.

Could fly there but you have to stay in a Centre for 2 days for testing. Then I could fly back but might get bumped off the flight as seems to happen and then still have 2 weeks quarantine here which is more expense. Initial euphoria of visa wears off pretty quickly when you now have these problems. A few of us in the same boat! 

16 minutes ago, MELBNGSM said:

Good News! How long do you have to pay the 2nd VAC?

    Hoping to hear something soon as well. 
I have a curvy one. Mom is here and Dad in NZ.  

70 days as if I’m offshore !! but most onshore seem to only have got 28 days. Am holding off payment at the moment. At least NZ can fly into here. I’m desperate to fly out to activate and hoping NZ will open but doubt it will before med and police expire!

21 minutes ago, MajHam said:

Hi all. Heading to WA later this month now that we’ve been granted our 143. I wonder if anyone who has made the move can advise what we might need to re taxation. We will still have a rental property in the UK. I believe I have to complete paperwork to avoid double taxation but I think I read something about having to have UK property valued for the purposes of Australian tax? If anyone has experience of this and can advise...great. If not I’ll see tax advisor when we get to Australia. Just wondered if anyone knows if there is anything I should do before we leave.

@Alan Collett should  be able to help you

11 minutes ago, LucyL said:

Morning All, 2nd VAC requested and paid this morning.  Happy Days!

Congrats!  Don’t think I’ve ever seen so many grants these last two weeks. On other sites also!

12 minutes ago, Rosiejaq said:

I’m surprised as I’m sure we had 12 months to validate?  Have they changed things?

I’m in Oz that’s why

4 minutes ago, Marg said:

Second VAC requested today. 

Wow another May one , congrats!! 

7 minutes ago, KathyN said:

I think as an Australian PR you can apply for and be granted a NZ visa quickly (a couple hours to a few days). I applied for a NZ visitor visa late last year and it took over 1 month to process . If the 143 visa is only activated when we leave the border, my concern is that that might not be enough for us to buy plane tickets to NZ.

Would be so expensive and difficult to find plane tickets to my home country as well!

Yes same thoughts here,  the anxiety never ends in this process, when I get it I will check VEVO am sure it will say PR as the status 

3 minutes ago, KathyN said:

Only 3 months? 

Do you know if you are allowed to travel to NZ with an inactive visa 143 when the border opens? Would you need to apply for a NZ visitor visa or any other permit?

I don’t know!! I am hoping NZ will open up!  Sometimes  your visa activates the minute you are through passport control so in that case I would an OZ permanent resident. Will see after Xmas .  Might end up paying for expensive flights and quarantine!!