Jonesy

Bit overdue but heres an update. Hopefully might help others as well. So I returned to the UK as my visa application needed tweeking before I could lodge it properly. I used the services of a migration agent as I really didn't feel confident going through the process on my own plus it was too important to not do so. Spent time in August getting things prepared for lodging my application - EOI invite due to expire sept 20th. So after making sure my application was all good I lodged this at the end of August, already had my supporting documents etc ready including police checks and had my medical 2 weeks later. A week after I had my visa granted - this was 16th September. Overall was really quick from application to grant but with the aid of a migration agent that helped heaps - cost was not too bad at $1650 and was well worth it to me as there were some parts of my application that needed to be adjusted to match my Expression Of Interest which may have caused delays had I rushed into applying for it on my own. Looking for work now in Australia and making plans for the move back asap.

Spoke to a visa agent today and got some good free advice so I'm pretty set now on my plan of attack. I've already put plans into action to leave Australia as I only have 5 days now but I am going to apply for the visa, get the bridging visa but still go back to the UK as planned and wait for the result. I have already left employment here so would be quite difficult to find another job with my visa status being uncertain and Ive given notice at the rental property as well so going back to the UK is locked in now - which is not a bad thing right now as its my mums 60th in a few weeks so I'll be there for that etc.

Hi, Just looking for advice with applying for a 189 skilled visa. My story is as follows - I've been in Melbourne for nearly 4years on a 457 visa, originally from London - employer did not go for sponsoring me on the ENS route and left me with 6 months in Jan this year to sort it out myself. So I've got my Trade assessment done, my IELTS done with a score high enough to award me points bringing my EOI points to 65 which was enough for me to get my invitation to apply for this visa. However my 457 expires on the 26th July and its now the 20th - knowing time was short, my employment has ended with my sponsor as I would not have had a valid visa to work/stay and I have booked a flight back to the UK next week in order to not overstay as I was unsure of processing times etc. My main question is - should I use a visa/migrant agent to help me with my application ? I understand that they are more familiar with the process and will maybe have my application more prepared than I will doing it myself but with a cost of $4000 I don't know if its value for money. After being assigned a case officer, is it not just back and forth until its ready to be processed ? Many thanks for any advice.

I literally got the invitation today (20th) and most likely won't have it lodged in time to get the bridge as my 457 expires on the 26th. Flight was paid for by my previous sponsor as its their obligation so not fussed, plus get to see people back in the UK for the 1st time in 4yrs. Because I was so short on time, I wasn't aware of if/when I was going to get an invitation, so I had to put an exit plan in place - Ive already given notice on my rental property etc so I'm committed to the path of applying whilst in the UK as I didn't want to run the risk of leaving everything to the last minute and also not overstaying. It's not the best but I've got a plan in action and its a speed bump on a much longer journey. I'm about to apply for the eVisa via my Immi account online but I know close to nothing about what happens next once I submit my claim to a visa application. Just wanted to find out the pros and cons of using a visa agent in this process. Many thanks

Hi, Just looking for advice with applying for a 189 skilled visa. My story is as follows - I've been in Melbourne for nearly 4years on a 457 visa - employer did not go for sponsoring me on the ENS route and left me with 6 months to sort it out myself. So I've got my Trade assessment done, my IELTS done with a score high enough to award me points bringing my EOI points to 65 which was enough for me to get my invitation to apply for this visa. However my 457 expires on the 26th July and its now the 20th - knowing time was short, my employment has ended with my employer as I would not have had a valid visa to work/stay and I have booked a flight back to the UK next week in order to not overstay. My main question is - should I use a visa/migrant agent to help me with my application. I understand that they are more familiar with the process and will maybe have my application more prepared than I will doing it myself but with a cost of $4000 I don't know if its value for money. After being assigned a case officer, is it not just back and forth until its ready to be processed ? Many thanks for any advice.

Hi, my name is Mathew and I've been in Australia for nearly 4years now. On a 457 visa going through the 189 visa route now, have my visa invitation now but only a week left on my 457 - so going back to the UK for a bit before hopefully returning asap.