Lady Jane

On 19/08/2022 at 06:54, Ryllo said:

 

This was the info on my email requesting the 2nd payment 

You must make payment(s) of the second VAC within 70 days after the day on which you are taken to have received this letter.

On 08/07/2022 at 12:56, LindaH27 said:

Has it changed? I was under the impression you were only given 28 days in which to pay??

 

I’ve looked at my request for 2nd VAC  email  and it says 70 days to pay, unless it’s changed since November 2020 

Here’s the info on my letter 

Timeframe for response
You must make payment(s) of the second VAC within 70 days after the day on which you are taken to have received this letter.
 

You get 70 days to pay 2nd payment from the date immi request it.  I think they will expect you to have the money to pay, they tell you the cost when you apply. 

7 hours ago, vika said:

Hi Lady Jane,

If I may ask, any idea when you got the Queue Letter from the department and what the processing time was at that time on their website when you received the queue letter? I got a queue letter last month and I applied in Sep 2018. I wanted to know what the remaining wait time could be. Though, it cannot be precise, I thought it would give me a rough idea. Thanks.

 

Hello Vika

when I applied in March 2016 there was no queue letter, your acknowledgement email was your queue date. Queue letters only started to be issued from 2018, I believe. 
 

When we applied the wait time on immi site said 18 months to 2 years, it took 4.5 years. I only found out after joining this group the disparity in the information. 
The amount of visas issued each year reduced so the wait just got longer. 
 

I really hope they increase the amount of visas they issue annually  but unfortunately I can’t see that happening 

6 hours ago, Qflyer said:

Merry Christmas gang! I hope it was a wonderful day with your loved ones, filled with food comas and crushing hangovers.

Question around the 'settled' citizen requirement please... 

I lodged my parents' contributory PR application back in Sept 2017 which means they are unlikely to be granted the visa for at another 3-4 years at least...

My partner and I have lived in Sydney since 2015 but are thinking about moving back to Melbourne. Will this mean I'm no longer a 'settled' Australian citizen until I've lived in Melbourne for a further 2 years? I've been living in Australia since 2002 - Melbourne originally, but have moved to Brisbane and then Sydney for employment opportunities.

I understand 'settled' to mean I as the sponsor need to be living in the same place for 2 years but am unclear on how they define the location - must the 2 years be spent in the same postcode / city / state / country etc...?

Of course we could always wait till my parents have been granted their PR but it seems a little silly to have to put any plans on hold (particularly with rapidly rising house prices) when there's so much ambiguity around processing times.

Our daughter moved states and houses numerous times while our application was in, it didn’t affect us getting the 143 visa. Think it means settled/staying in Australia. 

24 minutes ago, April said:

@LindaH27  @Marisawright Thanks. I can understand what you are saying and to be honest I know you are right. I suppose I'm just frustrated at myself and now trying to convince myself that the cap could potentially be increased for the next couple of years. My parents could have applied in July 2015, but they thought it would only take a year or two to approve the visa there was no rush and only applied in June 2017. With the COVID border restrictions, I got desperate to get them here on a permanent basis. Anyway, at least they can come to visit next year as my immediate family which is good news at least. 

The worst part of the whole process is that parents applying go by the application processing time on the website. As you say your parents made the decision to delay applying, which we did too. It’s so difficult as your life revolves around when you might get the visa. 
if the immi website was clear in the processing times parents could then make an informed decision when to apply.  I know how you feel, we felt like it would never happen( especially with Covid)  but eventually it did.  
Keep your chin up and good luck. 

On 15/06/2021 at 17:21, LBee said:

@Lady Jane once you booked flights, did you have any additional paperwork to complete.  My husband and I are planning travelling at the end of Sept, we got visa granted November 2020.  Any information would be great.

You need Australian travel declaration, here’s the link 

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/australia-travel-declaration

UK travel declaration ( not that anyone looked at it) here’s the link 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

if you are flying to Perth or Tasmania you need to download a G2G app, here’s the link 

https://g2gpass.com.au/

a Covid PCR test done privately within 72 hours of first flight, here’s the link with more info 

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-international-travellers/coronavirus-covid-19-faqs-international-travellers-to-australia

it’s best to have paper copies for all documents but it’s not mandatory, they will just ask you to forward the email to them at check in and they will print it for you ( Emirates) 

It is a bit stressful but read the info carefully and you’ll be fine. 
good luck 

2 hours ago, Sash123 said:

Hi everyone, this site has been so helpful to me in getting through the visa application amidst COVID restrictions I need some advice though. On 3/6/21 I received the second VAC request for my 143 parent visa. I paid it on 4/6/21 and haven't heard back since. It was an offshore application but I am currently in Australia on a visitors visa. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Most people on this site have said that their visa was granted the day after the second vac was paid. I'm not sure why mine is taking so long, can't help worrying. 

I think they have reached quotas for this financial year so hopefully it will be granted in July. 

16 hours ago, tonys said:

Thank you and yep we're thinking of going business/first just so we can get to Australia and be with the kids! Fingers crossed we can get a seat etc. once we have been accepted. 

If there’s anything else you want to know once you get your grant, I’m happy to help. This forum really helped us. 

1 hour ago, tonys said:

Thank you,  I hope so...we've been waiting what feels an eternity. 

So with the grant, do I need to go to the high commission in London to pickup a visa or is it all electronic? I'll need to book flights, but that's another problem all in it's self. 

You don't need to apply for any visa, it’s automatically added to your passport. 
Depending  where your heading to I would say Emirates and Singapore most reliable airlines from the UK. If you can, book business or first class to guarantee a seat, we did and it was worth it to get here without worrying about being bumped off as economy class passengers are replaced by business/first class customers.   We booked directly with Emirates which I believe it better to do. 
Our visa was granted the day after we paid 2nd vac, I’m sure this will be the case for most applicants. 
good luck 

13 hours ago, BargeUK said:

Thanks for this.  We did actually travel without it in the end - that's the first time ever but guess we got lucky because we're safely here now and are just beginning our 2 weeks quarantine.  It's been a long journey - just 2 days short of 5 years but looking forward to being with our son and grandson again.  Good luck to all those of you still waiting - hopefully things will improve in due course

Brilliant news, you can chill a bit in quarantine. 

18 hours ago, BargeUK said:

Thank you - it certainly has been a stressful few months.  I've become a bit of a nervous wreck! It was Melbourne originally then Sydney then Melbourne again!  The first two were cancelled and after that we had a choice of Sydney or Melbourne.  My heart said Sydney because the flight was sooner but my head said Melbourne because that's where we're headed.  Didn't want to risk a border closure between the two and end up with a double quarantine!  I'm almost daring to believe this might happen!  Five years on Sunday since we applied.  Did you manage to get any one-way travel insurance or were you with Emirates?  I think they include it don't they?  I'm not sure who to try - I realise I've left it a bit late but better late than never

Yes I got it online with insure and go, it was cheap enough. We were with emirates but you don’t get travel insurance included. Just dare not travel without it in case we are Ill and need to be hospitalised abroad. It happened once on a flight to Oz a few years back, a man had a suspected heart attack and we landed in Sri Lanka to treat him.  He didn’t want to get off as he didn’t have insurance but they made him go to hospital. 

good luck and safe travels 

4 hours ago, BargeUK said:

That's great news!  We've just received our negative test results and are due to fly Thursday morning.  Desperately hoping for no last minute hitches! 

Hello,  I really hope it all goes smoothly for you, it’s such a stressful time. Remind me are you flying in Melbourne or was it Sydney after all the problems you had with the flight cancellations? 

5 hours ago, NatS259 said:

It's been a while since my last post, but mum is on a flight tomorrow! I can't believe it's finally here. She's on her way to the airport now to fly in the morning. Thoroughly reccomennd Jennie from British Travel for anyone needing to book flights to or from the UK!

Great news, hope she has a safe journey,  we landed in Perth on the 31st of March. So relieved we eventually got here. 

22 hours ago, BargeUK said:

It actually seems that we weren't bumped off but the whole flight was cancelled!  Sadly our replacement flight was also cancelled and so now we're waiting with bated breath to see if our 3rd flight works out!  It's like slow torture.....we had to move the date back a bit so that prolongs the agony

Aah right that makes more sense that flight cancelled. However I feel for you, what date are you flying now? 
We arrived yesterday, in Mercure hotel Perth so  far so good. We were asked when we checked in at Heathrow for Covid certificate, which she checked but asked if we had completed Australian and UK travel declarations but didn’t want to see them! 
in Dubai they checked Covid cert and G2G pass but I believe that’s for WA only. So relieved we are here at last. 
 

23 hours ago, SusieRoo said:

Can’t really believe it, but our 143 visas were granted this morning!

So pleased for you. X 

1 hour ago, LindaH27 said:

UPDATED. Oops didn’t read properly - you did book with agent !!
 

Did you try to book direct with airline yourself or through agent? Only asking because there’s been a few posts on other forums where people who booked business direct were ok but people who booked through agent were bumped. They do try to look after their own frequent flyers. 
 

Also  a few years ago  I booked in online the day before for my  flight to Australia. Printed out the boarding passes and all the details. Day after,  I still went to check in desk, I always do and was told I’d been offloaded from the second leg! I asked   for the supervisor and  showed him all my printed out proof. Cue a very anxious 15 minutes whilst he was walking up and down shouting down the telephone to the airline.  Eventually I was called over and given the boarding passes for both legs. The second leg was on a different seat to the one I booked. 

Apparently they had decided to change the plane overnight so my prebooked  seat didn’t exist on the alternate plane!!
But they pulled all the stops out and got me onto what was actually a full plane so I don’t know whether someone else got bumped instead! . Or whether they had the same scenario again with other  passengers as I like to get there early for as soon as desks open to dump my luggage then go and  relax. 
 

 

I’ve also seen that on other forums about when booking via an agent, more chance of being bumped.  I’ve booked direct with Emirates, who we always use, and I must admit I’ve not seen anyone bumped from an emirates flight and Lots moved/bumped from Qatar airlines. 
(hope I haven’t jinxed myself ) 

1 hour ago, BargeUK said:

No real reason - just the leg from Doha to Melbourne was no longer confirmed.  Maybe they overbooked at beginning of December expecting more seats to be available by end of April.  We were booked business class for that reason plus the extra luggage allowance.  What was disappointing was they haven't even offered us an alternative - just said we could have our money back!

I’m really surprised when your business class that you’ve been bumped, I’ve only heard of economy customers being bumped off. Very disappointing that you haven’t been offered alternative as I’ve seen other Qatar passengers have. 
I’m assuming it’s not the whole flight cancelled?  

11 hours ago, BargeUK said:

Huh! All this time waiting and worrying about Melbourne opening up and when it finally does our flights are promptly cancelled!  Thought it was too good to be true.  We think we've managed to book new flights but they are twice as much money and are to Sydney.  Nothing available to Melbourne till August!  We had them booked since the beginning of December so it's very disappointing.  Guess we'll just have to sweat it out a bit longer.....

Oh no! Do they give you any reason why? That is so upsetting and frustrating. Were you flying economy or business?
 

@BargeUK  I’ve just seen that they are opening Melbourne up on the 8th of April!

20 hours ago, BargeUK said:

Unfortunately no, we don't have that other option any more.  My head is absolutely spinning at the moment - we're just going round in circles. Our house completion was delayed at the last minute - already by a week and possibly another fortnight which is ok as long as it goes through in the end.  It just means we're in an empty house as the shippers have already been but we've got enough bits and pieces to manage - thank heavens for good neighbours! The trouble is without having a definite date it means we can't finalise anything like service providers.  At least the other family got offered an alternative flight and they have had a reasonable amount of notice.  I've been worried that we wouldn't find out till a couple of days before the flight. Was that a straight swap for the one they had or did they have to pay a massive extra fare fee?  Quite honestly we don't care which state we fly to now as long as we can get somewhere! I don't understand why the powers that be in Melbourne can't just say yes we're opening or no we're not. It's all the uncertainty that's so soul-destroying and it certainly is a most stressful time. How are your plans going - you must be due to fly this next week aren't you?  We would be so excited now if we knew everything was going to work out ok and we wish you all the best for your journey

Wasn’t a straight swop, an additional cost of 40K!! Not sure what currency though but a lot regardless, then the cost of getting to Melbourne.  That is the most annoying thing, if they just said yes or no and give a definitive date for opening. 
Yes, we fly on the 29th, just need that negative Covid test certificate

thank you 

On 17/03/2021 at 19:26, BargeUK said:

That's the scary thing - the price of other flights at short notice!  As you say, there are less available and the prices are breathtaking!  We're due to fly 27 April with Qatar so I don't know whether there is any chance of them swapping us to another airport destination.  I am assuming if they do that there will be a significant extra charge to pay but if we have to wait for another flight to Melbourne who knows how long it might be.  Our son (who is in Melbourne) feels as though the borders will open fairly soon - there is more pressure from the politicians, the opposition parties and the other states who are having to pick up the slack and they don't really appear to have a good reason for not opening now.  We can only keep hoping.......until we're forced into making a decision

@BargeUK 

Have you decided what to do about your flight? Have you still got the option of the Sydney flight?  It’s just that I saw on another site someone due to fly on the 15th of April with Qatar that had flight cancelled today with  the offer of business class flight to Perth as only option as replacement!! 
They were told there’s nothing else available. They were a family of 5 so more difficult to accommodate.  I not sure how you are feeling but my stress levels would be through the roof if I was you .  
 

1 hour ago, BargeUK said:

Ok thanks.  I seem to think someone previously had said no more than 7 days before.  Seems like it was a false alarm about Victoria's border opening this weekend.  They've re-opened to New Zealand but are still saying no decision has been made yet regarding international flights so the waiting and wondering goes on....... 

It’s madness, just putting pressure on others states and stress on travellers. I really hope things change soon   

11 hours ago, BargeUK said:

Have you completed your Australia Travel Declaration yet or does it have to be nearer the time?

No not yet, I believe it needs to be nearer the time, if you do it too early they ask you to do it again or reconfirm everything as it has Covid related questions in it. It just says complete at least 72 hours before travel. 

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/international-flights-to-melbourne-could-resume-next-week-20210305-p5787h.html?fbclid=IwAR3KNT_AwP5_tKY7gCScSOiSFEmnStSFa1zkQIDmv5tUNz-l0DZhaSXXceo

not sure how true this is