AlwaysVet

12 minutes ago, Kathss56 said:

Well done. Good luck! 

Hope you have good news soon.

Just to update my timeline.

We were offshore and have to make the first entry by July 2021. Luckily, we've arrived Sydney to validate our visa yesterday morning (18 Jan).  The process to the quantine took a lot of steps, but very smooth. 

From 22 Jan 21, if you’re travelling to Australia you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline when checking in for your flight at the departure point.

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/update-new-measures-return-australia

2 hours ago, Marisawright said:

You would have to quarantine in Melbourne too, because the state borders are closed due to high covid infections in Sydney.  I'm not even sure if you'd be allowed into Victoria.

There are international flights into Melbourne now, so you would be well advised to wait until you can get a direct flight.

Thanks Marisa.  Two quarantines!  Not a good time to move.

We are planning to make our first entry.  The only thing is we cannot fly directly to our final destination.  I understand that if we arrive in Sydney, we are to be quarantined there for 14 days.  Just my curiosity, Can we fly to Melbourne after the quarantine or do we have to go for another quarantine in Melbourne.

Would someone please enlighten me?

6 minutes ago, Gadgetfreak28 said:

Can someone who recently got requested to pay 2nd VAC please let me know what forms of payment are accepted? I know BPAY is 1 of them but I am not too sure how it would work if my parents are going to pay this amount from an overseas bank account. Trying to give them as much information as possible so they are prepared for when it happens. Any guidance will be appreciated. Good luck everyone.  

The best way might be to transfer the amount to Australian bank account when you have the best rate.  Then pay by BPAY which costs nothing to pay.  Other methods may cost you.  You can pay by credit card from overseas but will cost you quite a lot more.

2 hours ago, Aaron88 said:

Hi all, received 2nd vac request about 1hr ago, see signature for details. 

thanks everyone for sharing info, good luck all. 

Congratulations!  You deserve it!

2 hours ago, Bigtrev said:

Hi all. I paid my 2nd VAC in August but because I’m onshore my 143 can’t be granted until I am out of the country. How many others are in the same position? My case officer contacted me yesterday to ask about my travel plans,I replied I’m waiting for the New Zealand bubble( hopefully). Not heard back.

For a visa to be granted, do you have to physically enter (immigration clearance) another country or just need to fly to somewhere outside Australia and fly back?   No idea what onshore and offshore in immigration context mean.

1 hour ago, Kathss56 said:

ME TOOOO!!

 2ND VAC REQUEST!!  Feels like a lifetime ago.....hmmm it was!! 
still won’t be valid for me until I can fly out of Oz but at least it’s there

Big Congratulations!!

On 29/09/2020 at 15:35, Marilyn said:

My 143 visa has been granted today. I am so happy. I can now relax for the next few years and then it’s citizenship.

Hang in there to all those still waiting it will be worth it. 

Congratulations!!!

2 hours ago, Marilyn said:

I received request to pay 2nd VAC today 3 months exactily from submitting 143 application to requesting payment.

I am so chuffed! Onwards and Upwards

Congratulations! What a great news!

8 minutes 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? 

As far as I can remember, there's been a discussion about this topic in this forum.  Once the visa granted, you can travel in and start validation your visa upon arrival.  Couldn't remember how to find that thread though.

6 hours ago, nitz said:

Congrats mate we got our 143 granted as well

Does anyone knows how we can travel to australia now being permanent residents ,are we automatically exempted from restrictions or do we get the pr when we land there?
are there any flights going into aus ?

I understand that you can fly in with 143 visa as a pr.  Getting a flight,  meeting caps limit daily arrival, and being quarantined at each airport, that's another story.  

1 hour ago, bobo123 said:

Thank for reminding me that i am an idiot. 

But cheers for the the answer.

We are all only human.  Just take what you feel happy, leave the rest for one who wants it.  I'm stupid too.  I don't even speak Englis at home.  One thing might be too easy for one but not that easy to another.  Just enjoy your life.

1 hour ago, Kathss56 said:

Many thanks, yes I hope so. Only problem being I’m onshore

Look on the bright side.  You are already with your family!  Cheers!

On 21/08/2020 at 12:38, nitz said:

Hey guys just got an email request 2nd vac payment ,coudn’t be more happier .
thanks for supporting during this time @Alice___ @palaceboy1 @AlwaysVet 

you Should hear soon too  @Alice___ 

applied 11/02/16

Hi nitz,

Congratulations!  You are just very very close to the visa grant.  I waited 4 months from 2ndVAC payment to visa grant.  Just hope that you get yours a lot sooner.

May I ask if you are offshore?  

9 minutes ago, Kathss56 said:

Hi

 

on your visa grant does it say “resident”. Or have you checked your VEVO account to see yr status?

 

thanks!

Hi Kathss56,

Couldn't find the word 'resident' on our visas.  However, our VIVOs say 'RESIDENT" in Visa description and 'Permanent resident' in Visa type.  We just not too sure to travel now.  Maybe wait a little bit longer and make a move when things are a little easier in Melbourne.

Yours are very close to the visa grant.  Hope you get yours soon.  Good luck!

20 hours ago, Jellybean T said:

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.

Thanks.

Will again wait patiently until it's safe to travel.  Just miss our granddaughter.

1 hour ago, KittyMB said:

Not correct. My parents are on the same boat, paid 2nd VAC and couldn't head offshore before Covid hit. Our application is on hold until such time when they can head offshore, we requested special consideration for a visa grant and the response was that it is written in the law that they have to be offshore.

We were clearly told when our police clearances and medicals expire, we will be requested to provide new ones if we don't make it before they expire.

As a side note, I'd rather provide and receive 'advice' based on facts than opinions. Above are the facts of my parents case. 

Thank you for your information. 
Hope that your parents will get the visa in time.

1 minute ago, Millynguyen said:

Same thought with you.

May I ask if you did apply via agent?

Everyday first thing to do is checking my inbox

Nope, our applications are very straightforward.  But need a lot of research and reading, Engish is not our first language.

We do that, too, checking email.  

8 minutes ago, Millynguyen said:

Thanks i hope so too after seeing your application is granted

My agent has emailed case officer on 31st Jul to follow up but yet to hear anything back so apart from lodging a complaint, however I do not have legit information: such as applicant/date has been granted plus her assumption is the quota of this year has been reached therefore I have to patiently wait..

 

I truly believe that once the 2nd VAC is paid, it is common sense to understand that no other document including a health certificate is further required, although they may ask for it.  I could be wrong though.  Your part is fulfilled when 2nd VAC paid, and the process is in the department's hand.  And I am confident that they understand. 

Good luck.

7 hours ago, Millynguyen said:

Hi everyone,

I have been stalking this forum for quite long time with a lot of useful information.

Has anyone paid for 2nd VAC but still waiting for visa to be granted?

I got 2nd vac request on 9th Mar 2020 and paid on 15th Mar but at that time my mom was onshore with visitor visa from 7th Mar and planning to depart at the end of Mar. Unfortunately border is closed so she was stuck here until 1st of June.

I thought by the time she left, visa will be granted within a week but we are still waiting..from them.

My main concern is that my parents heath's exam will be expired in Nov 2020 so we're afraid that they will ask us to redo it if the visa isn't granted by that time. 

Since I am seeing the department is still approving some applications so I don't know why our application is still pending if the quota of this year is over.

Congrats @AlwaysVet: as your timeline is quite similar to mine and having the visa granted is so wonderful

Thank you.  I hope that you will have good news soon.

I'm not an expert by any means but I would take Alan's advice, contact the department.  IMHO, I would explain and ask for advice from them. Any advice/ options from your agent, apart from lodging complaints?

9 hours ago, MajHam said:

I think there may be some confusion regarding the assurer for AOS for visa sc143 which is for 2 people max and ability to sponsor for more than one visa type. If you cannot find any guidance on the Department site I strongly suggest you get advice from a registered migration agent. With the greatest respect to members on the forum who try to support each other and will try to answer questions their replies, while well intentioned, are not always correct (unless the reply is from one of the migration agents on the forum of course).
Maj

You are quite right. Assurer and sponsor can create a lot of confusions without an advice from a good migration agent.

Just now, Nemesis said:

Victoria is not charging because it is currently not accepting international passengers. 

I see, it must be the reason. 

5 minutes ago, Kathss56 said:

Ah well Melbourne having a nightmare again with it all, best stay put for now.  All states charging now. They have reduced number of flights allowed in now. Good luck, you at least have piece of mind it’s gonna happen! 

I believe if it comes up, it will go down.  They've experienced once, they should know what to do this time.
Yes, having the visa in hand is wonderful.