Skhush

Hi All,

Hope you are keeping yourself safe!

I have been unlucky with my visa, my 489 for SA was granted in Nov 2019 and I had planned to fly to my dream country Aus in April 2020. I am one of those unfortunate mates who could not make their first entry before pandemic and there is no chance I will be able to fly this year as well. Moreover I am in India, so not sure about 2022 situation as well. Exemptions is not possible for 489 with ICT Project Manager occupation and no job offer in hand. 

Lost 2 years out of 4 years of grant and unsure about other 2 years. I will definitely not gonna fit into criteria for PR or be eligible. The hope has faded away now. 

I am looking if there is any refund declared by Aus Govt or will be declared for those who lost their visa time in pandemic or not able to travel due to border restrictions. I could see refund updates for visa granted after Feb 2020 but nothing for visa grants in end of 2019. 

If anyone have any update on this please share with me......

Anything I need to initiate if I opted for refund? do I need to submit application and request SA visa department for refund? or wait for further announcement ?  

What should visa holders like me should do?

15 hours ago, Marisawright said:

What a silly comment.  They stopped accepting applications for 489 visas long before Covid hit.

I do think it's disgraceful that the government is classifying the 489 and 491 as temporary.  They should be making a special case to allow them the same access rights as 189 and 190 holders.  But it's not a money making ploy, it's just cold-hearted.

I meant temporary visa applications. I am aware 489 is closed and 491 has been  introduced. I do see people are receiving  491 grant not critical skills. people have received visa grants but they too cant plan travel until there is news on opening border. the only good thing is they will not loose years like us who have been granted visa end of 2019 or start of 2020. 

I Agree on second point with you and my only request or perhaps suggestion for AUS government would be they should at least look at 489 visa holder waiting to make first entry and ease on some restrictions.  

On 09/03/2021 at 19:22, jo.b said:

Need somewhere to rant, so apologies in advance for this! Feel like I'm stuck in a vortex waiting for information about when they're going to reopen border and when they do, if they're going to add the time onto our visas that we've lost. 

I have a daughter in Year 7, who ended up at a different secondary to her entire primary school and all her friends because of catchment and the fact that we didn't think she'd be starting secondary school here and she hates it. Younger one desperate for a dog. And two parents who feel they've been having the same conversations and getting nowhere for the past 10 months!

It's beyond depressing. I'm struggling to give up on my dream of emigrating but it would be so easy right now to move, get my eldest into the school with her friends, get a dog and just get on with life. The expense of all that would eat into our Oz fund and then maybe we'd be too settled to go, and I know I'd always think 'what if?'

Sorry to not add anything positive to this thread but I know you're all in the same boat. I'm still scouring the internet daily. Vaccine rollouts sound promising but it's the frustrating lack of solid information to be able to base any decisions on that's seriously doing my head in!!!

That's me done. Would like to say I feel better now that's out, but I don't!! Didn't mean to drag you all down. Sorry

People who planned their travel in April or May 2020 to Australia must be feeling same as you. I planned to travel in June 2020 and still waiting. its so frustrating to watch news and read articles everyday with a hope of some good news. it feels like you made decision to move, you are all there mentally because of which you cant focus on your current job or life. there will be no news until June 2021 I believe as then declared border closer until June. I am loosing my patience already and looking for alternate option. 

June News is last hope for me, if there is no good news by then the visa will be scrap and 4 years for efforts, time and money wasted. looks like Aus making a lot of money through this, they are inviting, granting visa, processing it but not opening borders. Sorry to say this 489 visa application money is helping them survive COVID

3 minutes ago, paulhand said:

I suspect it will be longer than that and there is no official guidance- other than the news that they intend to increase quarantine places, which suggests they still intend to keep things shut for quite some time. 

Not a good news to hear at all. I choose Australia over Canada and my friends who received there Canada visa same time when I got my 489 grant, they are now in Canada and I am still waiting with no alternate and no good news assumed this year as well :(. very disappointment with the approach of AUS.  started my process in March 2017, took 2 years to get grant in Nov 2019 and now waiting 2 years more to make entry which I assume will in 2022. almost 4 years gone and there is no way I will be able to fulfill criteria of 887 PR path. now if I change my mind and try for Canada that will be another 2 years of process time and shell out more money.

I heard the borders will be closed until June 2021. those who are waiting to make first entry have to wait till June now. is there any official news on the same? 

Any News on 489 visa holder allowed to travel Australia? and make first entry? 

What if the visa holder are have sufficient fund to support themselves for some time and look for job simultaneously. I suppose govt should allow now at least the criteria of living in region for 2 year is fulfilled by those who lost 1 year due to COVID and cannot make entry yet.

This situation where you have everything ready but cannot travel brings different thoughts and a lot might drop plan on moving to Aus and look for other options. 

I lost a year out of 4 years of my 489 grant for SA. I could not make the first entry before the date given, yes I am aware there has been waive off published but still loosing a year of time is really frustrating. you have given ample time in processing, you wait and wait with all the patients in the world for get one email with the subject line as Invited then visa granted, you are prepared and all ready to go and suddenly world changes and everything is closed. I wanted to know if there are any hope if travel will be open early 2021. does anyone have any update?

I am applying for jobs in SA but as I am not there my application is rejected at start I believe. All I can do is wait for borders to open which is unfair to some extent considering its open for 190 but not for 489 - not complaining but disappointed. 

On 28/10/2020 at 17:17, paulhand said:

The PR transition from the 491 is three years of employment/residence.  They have made some, fairly small, concessions for the 489 to 887 transition, so it's not impossible that something may be offered at some point, but I have seen nothing concrete yet as this is still very much a hypothetical situation.

Hi Paul, 

Could you please share what concessions are made for the 489 to 887 transition? and is applicable for those who are loosing an year in 489? 

I got my 489 SA grant in Nov 2019 and I haven't made my first entry yet. I am aware of the letter published for all 489 visa holder on waiving the no later than entry date which is Nov 2020 for me. I lost one year already and not sure how much more I need to wait, but would be good to know how the process of moving from 489 to 887 would be for people who are loosing time due to this.  

On 29/10/2020 at 12:18, KangaKit said:

Woohoo! Got our visa grant this morning.  I need to thank Westly Russell for his help with a medical matter, you were awesome!!

Congratulations !

are the entry restriction taken away? I assume the entry for 491 and 489 is still restricted. 

I got my grant end of 2019 and before I could plan my travel, they closed the border. 

19 hours ago, Marisawright said:

A timeline has been published, which shows international flights aren't planned to  open before the end of December.  Quarantine will, obviously, have to stay in place until infections in other countries are as low as they are currently in Australia.

Hi There, 

hope you are keeping safe!

where can I find the timeline for international travel open or flights are open? I have 491 grant and looking for borders to open to make entry. 

Thanks

7 hours ago, PickledRic said:

I completely understand re. The benefits.

 

in terms of other visa options, I applied for all of them but unfortunately as a secondary school teacher the chances of getting a 189 are pretty much non existent and the 190 for QLD was outrageously competitive so the 491 in the end was the only option available to us. It wasn’t an easier journey to a visa grant by any stretch of the imagination and was as difficult as any of the other routes and I’m incredibly grateful to have been granted a visa . I don’t feel it’s anyone’s fault I just wanted to voice how I felt, which is mainly disappointed currently, and see if there were any other people whose plans for the year were up in the air so we could talk about things.  

I am sailing in the same boat as you. I got my 489 SA in Nov 19 and I planned my entry in June to SA, my spouse resigned in Feb and I was suppose to resign in March end but due to border closed and COVID 19 there is not much we could do. The only good thing is my spouse could retain his resignation so we don't loose our current income and no one know when things will be normal. 

we are in touch with our agent and he is helping us to be optimistic about the situation and suggest once the border are open plan your trip as soon as you can and at least get your first entry before the timeline. we have time till Nov 2020 to make our first entry and we are hope/wish/pray the borders to open by Aug/Sept.

I hope you make your entry as well

19 hours ago, Arju_12 said:

No one can predict if required they may ask you again I have seen such cases where co contacted 4 times if they have any Doubt and if case is straight forward then they can give you grant but no one can predict.

Thanks ! I wish to get the grant soon.... the wait is really killing now. 

On 26/09/2019 at 05:58, Joesline said:

I have got my grant yesterday. The first entry is by 25 Sep 2020.

Congrats !!

I applied for visa in March 2019 and received request for additional document (provident fund statement of previous organisation) on 26th Sept. I uploaded the required documents on 2nd Oct through my agent. Now the status of my application is further assessment. 

Does this mean CO contacted for additional requirement? if yes how long does it take after CO contacted?

On 23/08/2019 at 13:08, Bazooka Boy said:

Howdy howdy happy Friday folks!!!

Just received ours 

206 days, direct grant!! SA 489.

only catch is we have till Dec 19, 2019 to make our first entry. But no complaints! 

Congratulations. 

I am hoping for mine to come soon too !

4 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Congratulations!   

If you're British and you lived in the UK immediately before arriving in Australia, you'll be covered  by the reciprocal agreement.   That means you're covered by Medicare for any treatment which can't wait until you get home to the UK (the fact you're not planning to return to the UK is not considered relevant).   If you're young and fit that may well cover most of your needs, but remember it doesn't cover dental, optical or ambulance at all.  You need health insurance for those. 

Also be aware that if you want to buy a property, you will have to get special permission (because you'll be classed as a foreign buyer) and also pay a lot of extra duty. On balance, you'll probably be better off to stay renting until you get your PR.

Hey There, 

Any idea how much do one person need to pay for Medical insurance while on 489?

On 09/04/2019 at 11:07, Alka said:

Hi Gurpreet - Mine is at further assessment. 

Hi Alka, 

my application status is received and document required shows passport size photo. I contacted my MARA agent and he said its not that important and I have not uploaded. did you had same request to add passport size photograph as required? 

On 01/04/2019 at 23:20, Bazooka Boy said:

SA 489 visa lodged on Jan 28. 80 points including State nom. 3 applicants (wife and baby).

Occupation: ICT project manager. 

Hoping a grant comes by end of Jun?

Hi 

I applied for the same occupation and lodged SA 489 Visa on Mar 6 (me as primary and my husband as secondary). 

lets keep a track of our application status and let know each other on the progress. this will help both of us. 

On 21/03/2019 at 20:44, SALMATABBU said:

what you are doing with Import?? Import is loading something to the application. But when you have lodged your visa why are you importing?

My Visa is lodged by agent and he has given his email id for any further contact. importing my application help me to keep a watch on my application status and inform my agent if anything is needed...... its good to know where is application status is rather than asking agent.

Hi All,

I am waiting for grant on 489 SA.... I wanted to know if its difficult to get job in Adelaide specially in IT? I have experience of 12+ years in Project Management Office. 

On 15/03/2019 at 09:15, Alka said:

Hi - the process is same for all kinds of visa.

I lodged my 489 SA and able to import the my application. but for 190 VIC I am waiting for invite from Vic State and I only have EOI ID that is the reason I guess I cant import details. 

I guess import works for lodged application not for EOI.

On 07/02/2019 at 14:31, Alka said:

Hi - i have also applied through agent so could not track. Then I found out a way. I asked my agent to send snapshot to prove that application is lodged. In that shanpsot i got teh reference number of my application. Then I created immiaccount & imported my application with the help of that reference number & my passport details. You can check your application status there. My agent was so surprised when i knew earlier than her when my CO contacted

Hi Alka, 

is there any way you know by any chance to check status of EOI submitted for 190?

On 27/02/2019 at 00:57, akashboaz said:

I have applied for ICT BA 190 with 75 points on 25 Feb 2019 for NSW and VIC
Any idea when can I expect the invite
 
Regards
Akash

Hi Akash, I applied for ICT PM 190 for VIC in Oct 18 with 75 points and still waiting for invite.

My prediction after following few other forums is that the maximum time for 190 ICT BA and PM is 6 months.

I might not be correct as I am also waiting and trying to find wait time for invite.  

I am waiting for invitation for 190 Vic. I submitted EOI in Oct 2018. 

have they stopped sending invitation as well?

53 minutes ago, Nemesis said:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us/offices-and-locations/list   and select USA. That takes you here

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

Thanks! let me go through it and follow steps. 

Hi All,

my husband was in US for 6 years and came back in 2014. now my agent is asking PCC for my husband from India and US as well... I am having hard time on understanding how to get PCC for US from India. the guidelines are also not clear. 

can anybody guide if they have been in same situation?