redheaven

Slightly different to the other posts, but keen to get the thoughts of people in the forum. My sister (fully vaccinated) was hoping to come over to Sydney to visit me (I'm an Aussie citizen) for 2 weeks in March but we were unaware of the travel exemption requirements etc. Have had a read online and she obviously isn't considered "close relative" but the border website says that it is still possible to apply for an "Individual Travel Exemption". My question is, does anyone know of it being possible for other family members (not parent/spouse etc) being granted travel exemption and if so what sort of grounds does the government consider? I realise now the exemption is probably a long shot so her visit will likely have to wait until the restrictions ease, which looks like will be a long way from now. But any glimmer of hope will be gratefully received! Thanks, Kelly

Updated timeline below: Date Applied: 10/02/18 City/Council Area: Mosman, NSW Online/Paper: Paper Date received the acknowledgement email: 14/02/18 Date of Citizenship Test: 17/12/18 Date of Approval: 17/12/18 Date of Ceremony: 28/03/19 Normal priority Time taken from application to ceremony: 13 months

Thanks for this...still waiting for my ceremony invitation, hoping it’s early in the new year as my mum will be visiting and she’d love to be here for it. Congratulations to you and all the best for your ceremony!

Hi, just wondering if anyone in Sydney has their ceremony on Australia Day or in February - can you let me know when you got your approval letter and also when you received the letter of invitation to the ceremony? Thanks in advance.

Just thought I’d share my timeline for the good folks on this forum: Date Applied: 10/02/18 City/Council Area: Mosman, NSW Online/Paper: Paper Date received the acknowledgement email: 14/02/18 Date of Citizenship Test: 17/12/2018 Date of Approval: TBC Date of Ceremony: TBC Good luck to everyone still waiting

Apparently the dept would only respond to queries 6 months after the visa application was submitted. Direct applicants can definitely follow up and I would do so if I were you. I hope that if yours was submitted more than 6 months ago, they will review it ASAP - that seems to be what happened with mine. Good luck!

I have been reading the messages in this forum for the last week or so, just stumbled across it as I've been getting anxious about my application - but I was very happy today to receive my visa approval and thought I would share my timeline for reference. Good luck to everyone still waiting...I hope you'll all be writing one of these messages soon. Additional note: the MA I used said they could only follow up on the application with the DIBP after 6 months (5/08/16). They emailed the DIBP on 11/08/16 and the approval came through the following day. 457 - ENS 186 | Visa Nomination: 04/02/2016 | Visa Application: 04/02/2016 Occupation: Marketing Specialist Applied through MA, Sydney 1 person, LR Country No docs requested Office NSW PESE Nomination and visa approved: 12/08/2016