Paulie

Thanks, Alan! Just sent you a pm.

Hi all, Just wanted to share a little update - we have finally got our 870 (5y) visas granted on Dec 15th after more than two years of waiting. As the original pre-COVID medical tests had long expired, they've made us re-do the tests. I guess the trigger for our application review may have been the travel exemption request I have filed online in early November. Btw, the overseas visitor's health cover (OVHC) prices have gone up significantly since 2019 - from $78 to $112 per person for the Allianz budget cover. Which translates into an increase of +$812 p.a. for two parents. I am wondering if we are getting a good deal on OVHC with Allianz, anyone getting better rates with other insurers? Thanks.

Dears, does anyone know if the government has resumed the 870 visa processing in light of easing travel restrictions and parents now treated as immediate family members? Thanks.

Hi Arti, 1. Correct. You will only need to demonstrate the Tax Return for the year ending June 2019. This is if you apply before this financial year ends - mid 2020. 2. AFP Clearance, no fingerprints. This can be done online.

Dears, We are the stage when Home Affairs requested us to pay the 2nd VAC and arrange evidence of health cover. How should we approach evidence of health insurance arrangements? We are unsure of when exactly our parents will be moving to Australia on their 5y visa. It can be anytime over the next 3 to 6 months from now. Do we need to start paying monthly fees to the insurance company from the day we arrange for evidence? Or are there any options, something like preliminary contract for cover, which would kick in once our parents relocate - and be satisfactory to Home Affairs to grant the visas? Many thanks.

More like desperate , mate. Guess you've missed my email from 20/09, where I've asked for the paperwork + account details ?

Dears, Does 870 Sponsorship requirement of 4 years permanent residence cover only the main sponsor (applicant) or also sponsor's spouse if we rely on both incomes to qualify for minimum taxable income?

Indeed, thank you Sadge. However, most timelines from this thread are from 2015-2016. I was looking at more recent experiences. E.g. looking at your timeline from 2014 I see that you were waiting for application acknowledgement letter for nearly 7 months back then.. The reason I am asking is because we have just applied for 143 +paid the fees online. This is done ahead of our upcoming 870 application, which we are going to apply for asap. The catch is that one can only apply for 143 prior to the grant of 870. Does this mean that we now have to wait many months for the 143 application acknowledgement and should not apply for 173 until received this 143 acknowledgement letter? Or would the fact of initial 143 fee payment be considered as application date submitted?

Dears, How long does it normally take to receive the acknowledgement letter of the submitted subclass 143 paper application? Is this a matter of weeks or months? Thanks!

Dears, Would anyone know if having received Family Tax Benefit could affect eligibility to sponsor/provide AoS for 143 and or 870 parents visas? Thanks!

Feel for you, @VictoriaP. Whoever designed this application system did a lame job in a rush for elections. I would never imagine that they would simply refuse sponsorship without giving a chance to provide further evidence. Especially considering the cost of the application and the waiting time... From what I read - I guess we now better re-apply, as there is no review option rather than going to the AAT, which takes years. If anyone may suggest there is another option to appeal directly to the case officer - pls kindly advise. Does anyone know if the "application refused" - means that the case is officially closed or there is still a chance for dialog? Thanks.

Refusal on 870 Sponsorship was received yesterday As was predicted by @Alan Collett, the reason was in our UK tax assessments (HMRC) attached to our application. We did not have the ATO assessments completed yet, as these were not legally required - we were deemed non-tax-residents in 2018. I made wrong assumption that immi PVC would request additional information if UK tax paperwork doesn't qualify. However, they simply refused and suggested we can appeal to the tribunal (AAT). Guys, we would greatly appreciate experienced members advice. We now have submitted our UK income for ATO verification. Expecting ATO assessment in a couple of weeks. How should we proceed now with the 870 sponsorship application? Should we go for appeal via the Tribunal or submit a new application for 870 with ATO assessments attached? Many thanks.

Sure Alan, my 2019 income meets the threshold. However, the system required to attach two previous years of tax returns which were from the UK. And yes, my application was submitted in full and finalised. I can only suspect the immi is still in progress of running checks on my UK tax paperwork. Hence the delay.

Most likely true, though not fair. Then the options are to either to resubmit foreign income tax returns with ATO or wait another 2 years and reapply for 870. Nevertheless, my concern is why some applications submitted much later than mine were processed way sooner? What is the logic, is immigration picking them up randomly?

Australian citizen, indeed. However, was not considered to be an Australian tax resident over the past two years. Hence only HMRC tax returns at hand. Regards.