bella1458

Hi all,

I am a British citizen with Australian PR. It was granted in 2015. In 2016 I returned to the UK & have been living in a defecto relationship with my British partner since. Before this I was in Australia a total of 6 years.

After 2 years in Uk I really want to go home.... so we are looking at our options for visas for him. His profession (software engineer/developer) is on the skilled visa list & it was always our plan to apply for 189 however we stupidly kept putting it off & now with all the recent changes to the skilled migration route it just seems they are making it harder and longer to come in via this path.

So we have started looking at partner visa options. We meet all the requirements in terms of our relationship, however I am concerned that I do not meet requirements as a Sponser. I’ve read on the IMMI site that to meet requirements of a sponsor id have to usually live in Australia, which I haven’t done for 2 years now so I’m not sure how I can achieve this without returning without him. Which financially & emotionally would be very difficult to do especially for the length of time these applications take to process. 

Has anyone else got any experience of applying in this way? 

Thankyou for any advice!

2 hours ago, Loki Grundy said:

The Department has amended the eligible age for Subclass 417 Working Holiday, which applicants must be aged at least 18 and no more than 35 years old at the time of application. If an age younger than 35 is specified in an instrument for a specified passport, that younger age limit will be applied.

Unfortunately this hasn't happened yet, on July 2nd some legislation that included increasing the age limit was introduced then repealed a couple of days later and replaced with another that remains 18-30 age limit.

aparently they have changed some legislation to make it easier for them to change the age for certain country passport holders in the future. but as yet no age increase for anyone & Immigration website states they are still only considering it 

Yes that's fine don't mind at all. Would be great to know for sure if it's been increased or not. 

I did some googling and all I could find was this. So perhaps they have indeed changed legislation but not the actually age limits yet.

On 02/07/2017 at 17:37, VERYSTORMY said:

As part of this years changes, the age limit for working holiday visas has been raised to 35. 

Has this been officially announced? On the Immi website it still shows they are considering it

Age of eligibility – Government announcement

The Government is considering options for expanding the upper age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, including timeframes, legislative requirements and engagement with partner countries. Reciprocity of arrangements for Australian citizens remains a key feature of the programme. The current age of eligibility (18 to 30) will remain in place for the time being.

3 hours ago, A.Gordon said:

 

I have recently heard that you can claim back your taxes when you are working on a skilled temporary visa, Can anyone clarify if there's any truth in this statement??

 

Also due to the recent visa changes, Will I still be able to apply for PR after 4 years on a 457??

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

Sent using Poms in Oz mobile app

 

Are you currently on a 457? Which list is your profession on?

On 24/05/2017 at 10:22, Beffers said:

Hi Bella

My husband is an Australian Citizen but he left Australia in 1991 and has been living in Europe ever since.  However, because he never renounced his Citizenship, he was qualified to sponsor me, and we got our grant earlier this month. 

I know you can be a Permanent Resident of Australia and be a sponsor, but I don't know about a PR who doesn't live there - I assume you have a Residents Return Visa to allow you back in the country, or is your Visa still within its first five years?

I think you'd need to ask someone qualified to answer, ie migration agent or ring the Service Center to ask them, prior to submitting your application. You wouldn't want to pay the AUD 6865 and then be told no, you won't be approved as a sponsor (as there is a section on IMMI for the sponsor as well to upload relevant documents and statements, and then they go through an approvals process and the IMMI is updated with 'Approved' next to the Sponsor's name once they've passed through the process successfully).

 

Good luck!!

Hi Beffers, 

Thanks for your advice, i will get in touch with them. Yes I'm still well within the first 5 years, PR was granted in 2015 :0)
 

13 hours ago, KathyMelb said:

Hi All. Just wondered if I could get some clarification on visas etc. Planning on moving out next year as a family with the intention if all goes well to stay permanently. Neither of us have professions on the SOL but one of us will have a sponsored visa through employment. Would this last for 2 years and then we would renew it after this period? That is in advance xxx 

Hi there, if neither of you have jobs listed on the SOL how are you getting a visa through employment sponsorship? Your occupation needs to be on one of the now 2 lists for a company to be able to sponsor for the occupation

12 hours ago, KathyMelb said:

Thanks for your reply. So with the changes that have happened recently, is there now no longer an option to move over with the aim for it becoming permanent? Thanks 

The short term list offers a temp 2 year visa with the possibility to apply to add another 2 years but after this additional 2 years that is it, its purely a temporary visa with no route to PR at the end of it, if your role is on the other list the route to PR still exists I believe you can apply after 3 years under new rules

On 19/01/2017 at 06:57, Jcheverton said:

Hi All,

 

Our partner visa (the offshore one) has been accepted (yay) and we have been given a date that we must re-enter Australia.

 

Do we need to move back permanently by that date or can we just visit for a holiday and move back permanently after that date. What are the rules surrounding this?

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

Many thanks

James

Congrats  If you don't mind may i pick your brain on the process on the offshore partner visa? Is your sponsoring partner a PR or citizenship? I have PR already and looking into submitting 309/100 application for my partner within the next month but we both currently live together in the UK and I'm worried about my Sponsorship obligation that i must normally be an Australian resident i.e. living there currently is my understanding of this, but I'm unsure

10 hours ago, sarah66 said:

Thank you think the only way I will get back is on a skilled or sponsorship right?


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yes. WHV for Australia is only one time unless you did farm work for the 2nd yr extension??.  What about going to NZ instead, they have a similar WHV & its a beautiful country

On 19/05/2017 at 11:59, Ciara said:

Hey I'm Ciara I'm 29 I'm a solo female traveller, I have my working holiday visa and my flights are booked for September. I'm really excited about making the move but also completely nervous and stressed and was hoping to get some advice on a few things. 

Are there any agencies I could maybe look at before I come over who would offer me help with setting up bank accounts and tax numbers if I already have my visa or are these a waste of money? And if so how will I get a tax number or bank account if I am staying in hostels with no fixed address? I feel like I need a checklist to ensure I bring everything when I come over! 

 I will be turning 30 In March so when I get over in September I was thinking about getting stuck into the farm work straight away to try meet people and get it out of the way before it gets too hot. I will be flying to the gold Coast will there be any farm work around this area at this time? 

And lastly if I don't have any of the skills on the lists and the recent visa changes does this mean I will not be eligible for permanent residency and will have to return after 2 years? 

I feel like I have loads more questions but these are the major worries I have. I'm so excited but completely nervous at the same time and constantly overthinking my decision to move. 

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks Ciara 

Gumtree and this site is good to find fruit picking / regional jobs. http://www.fruitpickingjobs.com.au . 

My advice would be don't get stuck down in the cities to much, there are many beautiful little places up and down the east coast where you can do your regional work and not pay extortionate hostel rates in big city hostels. Travel a bit first meet others and find out where they did their regional work, maybe you'll meet some friends to do regional work with, this is how i found mine and it was the best time of my life! I personal found the smaller family owned hostels in small towns much friendlier atmosphere then the big city hostels which tend to have people using them as housing whilst working full-time jobs rather then to meet other travellers.

As others advise do not pay agencies to get your bank account, phone, TFN sorted! honestly its so easy when you get there! NAB is a great bank, just walk in with your visa info and your passport they will sort you out or ask at your hostel reception for help when you arrive or in the bar!  

I too was terrified when i first booked my ticket, il be honest i had never stayed in a hostel or even got on a plane on me own before! I stayed in sydney for a few weeks with a friend then he booted me out (nicely booted me out as I was hanging around again to scared to leave!!) and that was it i was off up the coast! I did things i never imagined i would be brave enough to ever do and It was the best experience of my life. Even when i came to do my farm work i dreaded it! But honestly I'm so proud of myself that i did it and i made some of the most amazing friends who are still some of my best friends to this day 7 years later

In terms of PR it is not a simply process at all. Don't go with the expectation you are staying, if you love the country and want to build your future there, then there is nothing stopping you coming home to UK, working your butt off to get qualified for a skilled job then applying to go back sometime in the future

Don't stress, your going to have a great time 
 

No worries at all  men are funny creatures don't you think! They throw toys out the pram when thing get a little complicated, I'm trying to get mine into the mindset to start his visa application in the next few weeks.... its like swimming in concrete at times  he sees all the paperwork and just decides he'l do it next weekend! Except the same thing happens the next weekend  If he doesn't do it il just go without him that should get him to pull his socks up! 

Can i ask how are you getting around the 2 year on a 457 requirement for the 186? as by March next year you'll have less then a year built up on the 457? I have a friend in the same situation as yourself, her 457 is still pending though & now her job is on the shortlist  she'd worried sick about her route to PR 

6 hours ago, Beffers said:

I submitted mine myself (no agent) with no meds/police checks uploaded at that time.  I was asked for meds and police check within a week of application, and was granted my 100 Visa 12 weeks from the date of application. 

I think it depends on your situation, how straight forward your case is, how well put together your application is, and what your case officer's workload is like!  There are so many variables that's it's hard to know how they work! 

Also I was told by Australia House not to bother with an Agent as it was just extra cost for no reason, given the straight forward nature of our application.  They advised only using an agent if there was adverse medical or criminal conditions that could affect the outcome.

Hi Beffers, can i ask does your partner live in UK or in Australia? I have PR already and looking into submitting 309/100 application for my partner within the next month but we both currently live together in the UK and I'm worried about my Sponsorship obligation that i must normally be an Australian resident i.e. living there currently is my understanding of this, but I'm unsure 

Hi all, 

My partner and i are looking into visa options for him.

I have PR already (186) & prior to coming back to UK in 2016 lived and worked in Australia for 6 years. 

My partner and I have been together a little over a year now, we maintained a long distance relationship for a while then I decided to return to UK in July 2016 to be with him full time whilst he completes his masters degree here. We hope to relocate to Australia in early 2018.

Looking now at the offshore partner visa option subclass 309 for him, however I'm confused as my part as a sponsor, the paperwork indicates that I as the Perm Resident sponsor must prove that I normally reside in australia, proof being Australian mortgage, lease agreements, bills etc.... but then also part of the requirement is i have to be in a de facto relationship with my partner.... living together. 

How am i to prove I normally reside in Australia? When i live in UK with him & I havnt lived there for almost a year now? I have a lease with my partner in the UK and a job here but it is always our intention to go to Australia once he's finished his studies, I do not consider the UK my home at all anymore and havn't for many years, I feel more Australian then English!. Is this what immigration want to hear? On the form it just states if my current address is outside Australia i need to define how i meet the obligations as sponsor. Confused much.

This is just one visa option we are looking at, he is a software developer with 10 years experience, various degrees etc, so he would be able to go down the 189 route, but as the celings for his role has been met for this year we are are looking at look at all options just so we can get an application in for him sooner rather then later, we really want to head to Australia early 2018. 

Anyone on here already been through this process? I feel I am other thinking the process, any help would be great!
 

I second that catchoftheday is a great site for bargains!

Kmart is similar to Primark in the uk, but in my opinion its much better then Primark cheaper and better quality goods, You can literally buy everything there from socks to all household goods  Im back in the UK for a while now and boy do i miss KMART!  

Target is also good, a little bit more expensive but they often have money off offer on in store or online so its worth checking for coupons before you go to the store!

Cotton-On is also good for cheap basic clothes, theres is also a DFO type store called Trade Secret which is very similar to TK MAXX

1 hour ago, peterthepom said:

Hey Folks, first post newbie here I don't know how I've managed without you.

We were granted PR on 8th May 2017 after a 5 month application process and were planning to make citizenship application after 12 months, does anyone know if this is still possible or do we now have to wait four years?

Thanks Peter 

The new rules apply from 20.04.2017 so yes you'll have to wait 4 years from the date your PR was approved before applying for citizenship. Unless the proposed changes to citizenship criteria don't get passed and become law, which lets be honest looks a highly unlikely outcome.

Just now, Nelliwoo said:

Hi

Thank you so much for the response.

Yes I can still submit an application for PR under the direct line of sponsorship as long as my application is submitted before March 2018. That is the cut off point for the short skilled list to be able to apply for PR. I received this information from a MA.

However, I was really confused after someone told me that as soon as you apply for PR your 457 isn't valid anymore, so could potentially only be here for a few months! 

So I will stay on my 457 until a PR visa is granted or until the 457 expires? Is that still the case if the PR gets rejected? Would I still be able to see out my two years on the 457?

Thanks for your help, really appreciated. 

 

Yes that was my exact same worry also but my agent assured us even if the PR application wasn't approved our 457 would remain in place and run its full course. 

I hope you can apply, i'd be worried about the 2 year on 457 requirement though? Did you ask a MA about that? Its still a requirement of the current 186 pathway as far as i can tell .

All the best! I know how stressful it is, we had absolutely no reason to worry when we applied back in mid 2015 but we still did, every single day until that email came through with our PR confirmation on it! I can't imagine how bad it is now with all the changes  

2 hours ago, Nelliwoo said:

Hi

I have just been issued with my 457 for 2 years under the new short term skills rules.

My company are willing to sponsor me for a 186 visa and are willing to lodge the application before the March 2018 cut off date.

What I'm trying to find out is, when the 186 application goes in, does that void my 457? 

What im afraid of is the 457 being invalid, the 186 not being granted and then I am left high and dry without any sort of visa to stay in the country.

Can anyone confirm if this is what happens when the 186 gets submitted please?

Thank you.

Hi there, 

i've been through the process and asked the exact same question of my migrant agent as we had about a year left on a 457 at the time of putting in the application for 186 PR. The answer was no, a new visa application does not void your current visa, so your 457 remains in place until its expired date or until you are granted another/different visa & if your 457 expires before a new visa application is approved your go onto a bridging visa until the application outcome is reached. Hope this helps. 

We applied back in 2015 though so well before all the changes, we had been on a 457 for 3 years at the time. Are you sure you are still able to apply onto the 186 pathway if occupation is now on the shortlist? I thought part of the shake up with this visa meant they had blocked routes to PR for the shortlist occupations? Also you currently to need at least 2 years on a 457 before becoming eligible to apply for a 186/187 PR visa, I believe from March 2018 it'l be 3 years? 

Don't want to to put a downer on your plans but maybe sounds like you should double check with an agent as your company may not be aware of the most recent changes and your options.
 

I use World Remit, they don't hold the rate for you but they have much cheaper set fee of just 1.99 (sterling) per transfer, so not based on percentage of your transfer amount 

Quote

 

On 26/04/2017 at 9:58 AM, Ozdream1 said:

@Richard Gregan

Where did you get this information?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

I had a good dig around and found it on the website 

https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/Empl/skillselect#tab-content-3 

Hi all,

Just looking for some general advice for the 189 application process

My partner is looking to apply for the 189 skilled visa. He is a Software Developer so he will applying for the visa under Software Engineer or Analyst Programmer.

I know the celings for invites on these roles have already been reached for 2016-2017 programme year. However can he still submit his EOI now so its in and ready when the 2017-2018 programme year kicks in? Or is it better/do we have to wait until July 1st 2017? From doing bit of research online we are confident the roles will still be on the skills like for the next programme year (fingers crossed!)

I myself already have PR under a 186 visa, so am I right in thinking I do not need to be added to his application in anyway? We are not married but are in a Defacto relationship for almost 1 year now. Looking at going back to Australia in early 2018.

We were going to go down the partner visa route but with the recent changes to the citizenship criteria it seems 189 would be a better option as PR is from day 1 with the 189 rather then waiting 2 years on a temporary partner visa and that time no longer counting towards the Citizenship requirement of 4 years on PR.

Any help advice would be much appreciated 

2 hours ago, Pwood said:

So finally spoke to our migration lady (she was on holiday) even though my hubby has a sponsor (floor finisher) looks like its not gonna happen for us (yet) he's still going in June as the company has paid for him to go over and see how they work and they are hoping it'll somehow workout as they really want him. They can't find people for all the work they have booked in with the games coming up. Hopefully he'll go over, love the way they work and as soon as it comes possible that somehow we can go we will. Ill just keep saving and pounce if they ever change the lists. So sad that for now we cant plan to move. I was all ready to pack up and go...so where the kids. 

 Sorry to hear this, hopefully you'll figure something out for the future. What about your profession? If yours is on the list maybe you go in on a skilled 189 / 190 as main applicant? Longer and more pricy option but so worth it x good luck

3 hours ago, bwatt99 said:

With these new rules i was wondering do they still have the calculator for citizenship  where you entered your details and it would let you know when you could apply? Myself i  prefered to call but wife wanted to check but i cant find it have then got rid of it?

I was thinking the same thing, it was really helpful. Im sure they will, probably just updating the current one at the moment with the new criteria

wow!

Yup, same here !