Jellybean T

9 minutes ago, Ollie1234 said:

Thanks @Jellybean T and congratulations. Which Visa did you come on and how long was the wait?

143visa. Applied December 2015 and granted 29 November 2019.

9 hours ago, Ollie1234 said:

They are 70 and 72. 

We have just moved over the beginning of August, my husband was 77 when he had his medical last year and passed even though he had a hip replacement just 6 weeks before. Age is only a number and home is where the heart is. Your parents are old enough and young enough to make their own decisions, I think as long as they carry on with their lives while waiting for their Visa it will be fine. 

13 hours ago, sub7er said:

@nitz & @AlwaysVet Did anyone check with dept of home affairs, if we can travel to Australia once we have been granted visa 143? Are applicants who are granted visa 143 categorized under Permanent resident which allows them to travel to australia or are we still under the people who are restricted to enter australia? 

Yes you can definitely travel on your 143 visa. We had our Visa grant 29/11/19, our flights were cancelled for the 2/4:20 due to covid.. we flew 2/8/20 , we printed our 143 visa grant and presented it along with our tickets... they phoned Australia to confirm our visas and then everything was plain sailing. We completed our 14 days quarantine at the Pullman Hotel in Adelaide. Good luck with getting flights... where are you flying from and to? We flew Singapore Airline from Heathrow to Adelaide.

On 21/07/2020 at 21:35, AlwaysVet said:

I see, it must be the reason. 

Victory has not even said it will charge.... if they ever open up to passengers. Closed until at least 24th October. So sad for everyone involved.

8 hours ago, Millynguyen said:

I think they do as she mentioned to me that she has emailed case officer who sent us a reminder of health exam expiration when we have asked for the extension since she had no flight to depart within 28 days from the date of 2nd VAC is requested.

So I don't know what to do next.. interestingly that my agent said the quota of this year is over so her assumption is that we might have to wait until Oct for the new budget meeting..which it seems not convincing me.

I think it was April 2019 there was a couple who’s final paperwork took nearly 12 months from their medicals and the validity was extended to 18 months. Sorry I can’t remember their names.

On 09/08/2020 at 20:05, ozuk said:

On the Medicare site it says:

You can enrol in Medicare if you have a valid temporary visa covered by 1 of these Ministerial Orders:

• Fulbright scholars
• Witness Protection (Trafficking) Temporary visa (subclass 787)
• De facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Support for Victims of People Trafficking Program
• Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (subclass 786)
• Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173, 143, 884, 864)
• Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785)
• Removal Pending Bridging visa (subclass 070)
• Illegal maritime arrivals holding a Bridging E (Class WE) visa
• Illegal maritime arrivals holding a Humanitarian Stay visa (subclass 449)
• Secondary Movement Offshore Entry visa XB (subclass 447)
• Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)
• Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa (subclass 491)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional visa (subclass 494)

I'm none of those so I don't qualify, meaning I pay for all medical costs. I've explained to them I don't qualify yet they still insist they send medical information to determine if I'll be a drain on the healthcare. 

 

 

Although you can afford your own medical care at the moment, there could come a time that you might not be able to. They have to cover every eventuality. 

On 31/07/2020 at 22:46, SusieRoo said:

Good to see mandatory Covid 19 testing prior to boarding for all passengers travailing from Dubai to the UK (from August 1st). I can see how this will be the norm soon for all international travel and eventually the key to unlocking Australia.

I feel so sorry for you SusieRoo, you got so close to being granted your visa before Covid 19 reared it’s ugly head. Now Australia is so difficult to travel to. I’m in Mandatory Quarantine at the moment, the amount of people who have had more than 7 flights cancelled just to get home is heartbreaking.

 I hope you are one of the first to get your visa grant when it gets back to normality.

41 minutes ago, Samda said:

I haven’t been contacted by the department since I lodged my application. That’s why I’m considering switching to 143. 

Don't switch....you will have to cancel your application for the 173 and start from the beginning again to apply for a 143, effectively losing the 51 months you have already waited. As soon as the visa office starts to issue visas again you will be contacted very quickly. Good luck and just wait it out.

7 hours ago, cfernandes said:

@kimboslice Thank you for that. It's crazy the amount you have had to spend. My mother in law has a slight blood pressure issue and she is stressing out about that. We too are concerned but looks like they ask a GP to look at your case and eventually clear it - Unless ofcourse something is really wrong. 

 

My husband has high blood pressure and is on medication, not a problem. He has an uneven heart beat. No problem. He had just had a hip replacement 4 weeks before the exam.. also no problem. My blood pressure was way off the clock with all the stress but the consultant knew we had travelled over 5 hours so sent me off for a rest for an hour. I had it taken more than 15 times and then she picked the best one. No problem. They understand we are not spring chickens and definitely allow for age. We had balance test, skin examined for cancer etc. Bring as much info with you as you can on your medical background. Good luck

57 minutes ago, AlwaysVet said:

Thanks.  We will activate our visa when it save to travel.  I understand that QLD and NSW will charge for the quarantine, we're heading to Melbourne.  Of course, other states will soon follow. 

Congratulations!! All States except Melbourne are now charging. We are hoping to validate our visa 2nd August. Should of been April but Covid 19 got in the way. Really so pleased for you

7 hours ago, vimaus5 said:

Hi everyone, 

I just signed up for this forum and wanted to ask if it is a good idea to prep and lodge for 143 yourself, instead of using an agent?
I've looked into what's required and it doesn't seem that difficult (plus I did my partner visa myself 4 years ago/PR granted this year).

All agents I checked charge 5-6K fee and it's basically same with the department's application fee. So I'll have to fork out $12K just to start.

Has anyone lodged/processed (and hopefully got granted) a 143 visa themselves? What are your experiences?

TIA

We did it ourselves, the form like you say is straight forward, read everything twice and read the guidelines booklet. If English is your first language and you don’t have a complicated family background you should be fine.

2 hours ago, kimboslice said:

Hi all

our 143 visa was granted on 28th January 2020, our arrive by date is 28th January 2021.

As it stands are we 100% going to be accepted into Australia as until we arrive we are not classed as a residents , so we are worried that we could be turned away, or are we classed as residents the moment our visas were granted.

mark

Hi Mark, like you I was worried about entering Australia as wasn’t sure if my visa(143) was classed as resident until I validated it. If you go to   immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/VEVO    That’s the Visa Entitlement Verification Online site,  you can put in your details and under Visa description it will show RESIDENT.   We are traveling the beginning of July and have not validated our visa yet. Other people have posted on here at the beginning of lockdown entering without any problems. You are classed as Permanent Resident.

Shelagh

On 03/06/2020 at 11:27, Linda Brown said:

Hi Jellybean, how stressful it's been for everybody. 

We've booked for the end of July on Qatar so fingers crossed. They've been flying into Perth all the time but of course we're locked down. 

I don't think it'll be long before all the airlines open up,.and I understand two lots of quarantine after 3 months here is too much. 

Fingers crossed for everyone that flights and visas start moving again. Stay safe. 

 

Linda 

 

 

Linda are you flying from  Alicante, Madrid or Barcelona? I’ve found some flights with Turkish Airlines but have never flown with them before so a bit nervous to book.

44 minutes ago, Linda Brown said:

 

Hola Linda,  We’ve got voucher for Singapore Airlines but I don’t mind who we fly with as long as the first entry into Australia is Adelaide.. or it’s double the quarantine. SA haven’t opened their boarder to other states at the moment.  When are you planning on going?

16 minutes ago, palaceboy1 said:

Visa granted today what a surprise

Congratulations... you now just have to find flights to get you there. Hopefully Singapore will start letting us transit through there airport.

Anyone know which airlines offer extra baggage weight when entering Australia for the first time on your Permanent Resident Visa. I know Singapore Airlines allow you an extra 10 kilos when flying from Manchester or Heathrow. Unfortunately they are not allowing transit through Singapore. Thanks for any info. Shelagh

2 minutes ago, kimboslice said:

Can someone clarify that when entering Australia (143 visa holder) and have to self isolate for 2 weeks, who foots the bill, I’m sure I read on here that we have to pay the bill (2,500dollars), but when I google it says the Australian government foots the bill. 

The government foots the bill. Smart traveler Au states you will not incur any costs related to the quarantine.

On 13/05/2020 at 10:28, Arti said:

I SO wish I had found this forum at the time I was contemplating applying. Back then it was 2 years and we postponed applying coz we wanted to get all ducks in a row. Lesson learnt. With immigration nothing's in your control except getting your application in ASAP!

We applied in December 2015 and although the website was reporting 18/24 months... it actually took 10 day less than 4 years. So like you I wish I had found this site earlier. Good Luck

5 hours ago, Samvaz99 said:

Hi Guys,

I applied in January 2016, still waiting for 2nd VAC request. Submitted all requested documents in 1st week of March.

Have you paid AOS as well?

3 hours ago, Newlife said:

Thank you everyone will try again after posting 3 times

Just click on the persons name and it will bring up their page and you will see the envelope icon.. click that and write your message.

3 hours ago, Linda Brown said:

Hi Jellybean T, I presume you're still locked down in Spain like us! So frustrating. Have you any idea how you're going to get to Oz when lockdown ends here and our borders open. I suppose we'll have to see which carriers are still flying and probably go into isolation on arrival.

Is anyone else in the same situation ? 

Stay safe everyone. 

 

Yes still here Linda, hoping to see flights around July being offered here in Spain. Not sure about where we will have to go into isolation eg.  the first entry point in Australia or the final destination. We are heading for Adelaide but some airlines fly into  Melbourne and we clear customs but have a connecting flight to Adelaide.. can't wait to be settled safely in Australia. Although flights are advertised at the moment from Madrid and Barcelona for July I'm not sure about booking and just having them cancelled! 

7 hours ago, Greece said:

Hi Jellybean, Thanks. If you have 143 visa in your hand, it is enough. Validation is not important to fly. At the airport, they will check whether you have Aus PR or  Passport to be eligible to fly to Aus. Since you have 143 PR in your hand, you can catch next available flight to Aus. Good luck and best wishes to you

Thank you Greece, that’s what I thought but couldn’t get it confirmed at the moment.  Hopefully in the next few months.

2 hours ago, Greece said:

True. Entered Aus on 23 March

So happy to hear you are finally in Australia even though you had to go straight into self isolation... you made it.  Did you have any problems entering on your visa as the government closed the boarders on the 21st March. I’m only asking as we have the Visa Grant but haven’t validated it yet ... we were due to fly 8th April but fights were cancelled as we live in Spain we are also in lockdown. Just like to know when they are flying again would we be able to enter Australia on our 143 visa without any problems. 

Big congrats to you and your family . Shelagh 

15 minutes ago, Linda Brown said:

Hi Jellybean, we've been neck and neck through this process and we're still together locked down in Spain! 

Luckily our boxes haven't gone yet they were due to be collected end of April so we have postponed. Again luckily we validated our visa when we went to Australia in December so I suppose we could go and self isolate, but no flights. 

After the long, long wait for the visa we thought we'd crossed the finishing line but apparently not! 

Hopefully things will get back to some normality in the next three or four months then hopefully we'll finally be able to live the dream, as we've waited such a long time. 

Who did you use for your removals Spanish or a UK company? We booked a UK company but would be interested to know. 

Good luck for the future, 

Linda b

, 

Hi Linda, We used Global Corporate Relacations they are a UK firm but based in Spain. Christopher Rosemeyer is who we dealt with. Excellent customer service definitely worth a call. I’m hoping once they start flying again we will be allowed enter as although we haven’t validated our visa it is a permanent resident visa. Our dog is our main concern at the moment as her vacations and blood tests are all time sensitive. 

Still we have waited more than 4 years now, and at least we have our Visa.

Stay safe.    Shelagh

On 15/03/2020 at 15:52, SusieRoo said:

Your post was perfectly clear to me. I find it difficult to understand why anyone would want to turn it into something else. This is a stressful time for many of us here and the last thing we need right now is another forum misunderstanding and more dented egos.

I still think it was pointless splitting this parent thread into two. It was so much better when there was just one place to check for parent visa news. What do you think?

We too have flights booked in the next three weeks and I feel it is unlikely that we will now be allowed to travel. We are also taking our dogs this time, which is going to cause innumerable problems because of the timing for their medical tests and quarantine in Australia.

To make matters worse, we sold our house last month and have been saying in a holiday cottage, which we now have to vacate in ten days time. So I’ve been carful not to buy too many groceries, but now have only one pack of loo roles left… STRESSED!!!

I agree with you SusieRoo, definitely better as one forum. We are in the same predicament as you although we live in Spain... we have a dog going through the process at the moment. She was due to fly on the 1/4 and we were flying on the 8/4. Now we are in lockdown until at least 14/4 and her final blood tests were done on 13/3 so will probably expire and need to be started again. Although we haven’t managed to sell our house, I did sell my car and hired one for a month so not a good decision. Crystal Ball comes to mind!! Good Luck but most of all Stay Safe.