Sue 320

11 hours ago, Alan Collett said:

Hi Linda.

I recommend you don't get your information from social media - it's notoriously unreliable (at best, IMHO).

The parent visa program for the current program year remains at 8,500 - the same as for 202/23:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels

Best regards.

 

I totally concur with Alan's advice.  Feeling very fortunate to at last have our lodged March 2017 143 visa granted a week or so ago - with great help and support from Alan and his team - but I have also found social media posts on other platforms frustrating and misleading at times over the past few months and not to mention very stressful when it appeared others lodged way behind us were receiving grants or being asked for further info.  I followed the groups just to get an overall idea of what might be going on and if there was any progression - it didn't often help!  I can totally understand Linda's frustration having just been through it!  The only social media group I have remained on is this one.  Wishing good luck to all those still waiting for their grants - especially those who lodged in May/June 2017 with the huge numbers involved.  I know it has been said many times, and sounds easy to say, but your day will come don't lose heart! Thank you Alan as ever for your advice and support to all.

At last after a 6 year 4 month wait we have been granted our 143 Parents Contributory Visa today having lodged in March 2017.  Looking forward to the start of our new life in Australia as permanent residents.  We would like to thank Alan Collett and his wonderful team at Go Matilda Visas for all his help, advice and invaluable support!  We highly recommend his services!

1 hour ago, Karl D said:

Oh sh**t..we put Lead Passenger. Hope that doesn’t go against us. We are parents just didn’t understand the box.

the gov website says apply for a visa first ( we did 651 ) and in previous years had that back approved in hours. Then we applied for the exemption as on the form it asks for a TRN for the applied visa.

we travel in Feb, flights been booked and moved several times over the last 24 months 

I really wouldn't worry I don't honestly think it is that significant. As long as you have uploaded all the necessary documentation to support your application for exemption and have entered the reference numbers for your 651 applications you should be fine.  The exemption grant should trigger the visa grant - just be aware that the e651 can take a little longer to process then in pre-pandemic days but you should be prioritised.  Good luck!

1 hour ago, Culterguy said:

I just got through to the helpline, they of course point out straight away that they cannot discuss individual application, they have no access! and was also advised of course I should look at the processing times on the visa application site. 30 days to 7months!! The lady there said that if I put another new exemption in with the Visa reference, this may help. I did this a week ago and have not seen any movement on 'new exemption' or visa. 

We rang the helpline yesterday too!  Took ages to get through.  Very, very nice lady (I have to say I was very emotional and upset) but similar response to yours.  She basically said every visa is looked at on a case by case basis.  When I suggested we reapply for the visa and exemption she did say she wouldn't recommend that it would put us even further down the queue.  Who knows!  Do keep us updated if you have any success - it is starting to feel like we are the only people without a e651 grant.  Even more frustrating I note people on other forums stating their 600 visas have been granted immediately after exemption is granted.  I'm beginning to wonder if we should have gone down that route.  It's all so depressing we just want to see our daughters and grandchildren.

3 hours ago, Culterguy said:

I have just cancelled a 4th December departure since visa has not tuned up, despite it being received on the 4th of November. You will note I came late to the discussion and so in ignorance applied for PARENT OF OZ CIITIZEN exemption first. I was not. able to put a Visa reference in the Exemption request. I have been told by Dept home Affairs help line that it does not matter the order of application . I think this is wrong. I  Trailfinders Visa Dept also said it would not matter the order. I have now made new Exemption request, now with the Visa application reference number, so will let you know if this works.

Thank you so much for posting we really, really appreciate it - I do remember your original post actually.  Been following this thread diligently for weeks!  We did put our visa reference numbers in when applying for our exemption so from what I gathered this should 'flag' the visa approval. My fear is that this flag has not been raised/applied to our visa grant - I am sure the home affairs dept dealing with exemptions is very busy and mistakes can be made with the workload.  We are fortunate as we are not flying until January (wish we hadn't booked the flights now but thought with that lead time it would be fine!) so have a bit of time in hand.  I wondered if our January travel date was holding it up and should I have put an earlier date but your post suggests that wouldn't have made any difference.  I did actually say to my husband this morning should we reapply for our exemption and see if it triggers the visa.  I await your updates.  Good luck!  I feel like we are the only folks getting nowhere but at least we are not alone!      

Any one else got any timelines for e651 grants after exemption granted please.  We applied for the Visa and then the exemption on the 7th November.  Exemption came through on the 15th November.  Still no e651 though.  Not sure if our date of travel early January 2022 is affecting our visa grant.  Thanks in advance! 

7 hours ago, Stellathedog said:

I applied for my and my husbands e651 on 6/11.  Mine was granted before I had even finished entering my husbands details!  His has come through today, so we are ready to finish the exemptions and Sydney here we come....Enjoy when you get there

Thank you for the update!  Still no sign of ours!  It does help to hear what the timelines have been for others.  Hopefully by the beginning of next week ours might have come through.  Have a great time in Sydney!

Just now, Clyde114 said:

They’re travelling 15/12 so yep most probably the reason, good luck!

Thank you so much.  It's so nerve-racking isn't it?  First thing I do every morning is check our emails! Have a great time with your parents and a brilliant Christmas!

3 hours ago, Clyde114 said:

Hi all

Finally my UK parents e651 was approved today, after applying around 7/11, we actually got the exemption approved first, then the visa which I believe is what caused the wait,

Good luck everyone!

Cheers Nick 

My husband and I applied 7/11 as well but no e651 visa as yet.  Exemption was granted 15/11. We did apply for the Visa first and had a reference number to enter on our exemption application so it looks like it doesn't make any difference which order you apply!  As a matter of interest when are your parents due to travel?  We are not due to travel until January so wondering if this is the reason for the delay.    

1 hour ago, LindaH27 said:

It’s getting ridiculous now !! Just seen a post where someone applied 143 in 2018 and is Currently  in Australia on 870 which ends late next year. 
I don’t know how this loophole happened but instead of having to leave next year when 870 ends (and borders will be open)  they’ve managed to get Covid concession to get bridging visa after 870 ends !! 
Meanwhile  the rest of us are stuck waiting offshore !! It’s very unfair. I really hope the senate enquiry has a good look at all this . 

I have just seen the same post Linda and made exactly the same comments to my husband.  We are absolutely astonished!  I am seeing an endless stream of bridging visa grants on that forum it's driving me mad.  I thought the whole point of these bridging visas was to keep people legal whilst all the travel restrictions were in place - why should someone be granted one when they don't even have to leave until the end of next year!  What is also very frustrating is that those of us waiting patiently for any progress on our visas offshore have not had the luxury of seeing our family for now almost 2 years and all these folks have been onshore during that time but still seem to moan about their problems. The immigration department must be snowed under with these bridging visa applications at the moment - I wish they could just be focusing on exemption requests and tourist visas for those of us just desperate to see our families. 

1 hour ago, falpat said:

My Dad’s evisitor (651) got approved today, he applied on 27 Oct! 

Exemption was already approved, that took 7 days.

I am delighted for you!  Thank you for the update.  We submitted our 651 application and exemption request a week ago.  Fingers crossed it will be granted soon!

Just now, JeffyJeff said:

Hi. 
My parents are applying for 651 eVisitor visas. Does anyone know if they each need an IMMI account or if both applications can go through one IMMI account (my dad’s)?

Thanks

My husband and I always apply in separate immi accounts for 651 visas.  However you can apply for the exemption on one account.  Hope this helps.

6 minutes ago, Quoll said:

It's about time that they started putting a no further stay clause on all visitor visas, just reading these boards with people who want to queue jump the system left right and centre.  The right thing to do is to put in your application for the CPV and make regular visits while you wait. But wait offshore like the folk who are doing it by the rules.

I couldn't agree more! 

4 hours ago, Marisawright said:

There are permanent parent visas, but the waiting time for those visas is over 15 years.  

If they arrive in Australia and then apply for a permanent visa, they will be put on a bridging visa which will allow them to stay until the visa is granted (which, as I say, will be at least 15 years).  However, that is not an easy choice.

On a bridging visa, they are not permanent residents and have no status in Australia. They will not be entitled to any pensions or benefits or Medicare.  Without Medicare, medical treatment will be very expensive indeed.   They are not allowed to buy the health insurance available to permanent residents, so they will have to buy Overseas Health Insurance which will cost around $10,000 every year.  

On a bridging visa, they are not allowed to leave Australia, even for a holiday.  They must apply for special permission (a BVB) every time they wish to leave the country.  If they leave without a BVB, they will not be permitted to return and will never be granted the full parent visa.

By the time the visa is ready to be granted, they will be over 80.  If they are still alive, they will have to pass a medical to get the visa. If they fail the medical - which at that age, they might - they will be sent back to Pakistan. 

 

What an excellent post Marisa.  I have seen so many comments on other forums of people being encouraged to apply for bridging visas after entering on a 600 Visa until the grant of their 143 - often in many cases to be expected years down the line! I don't think that people really truly take on board how difficult restrictions will be in reality and indeed expensive in health terms should a parent fall ill.  I think all should read your post!  My husband and I just patiently waiting for our 143 lodged in March 2017 to move forward at some point (don't expect a miracle though!).  Our main focus at this time is hoping our tourist visas 651 and exemptions will be approved soon so we can at last see our daughters and grandchildren (based in Melbourne and Perth) in January 2022 after months and months of separation. The pandemic sure has put the whole situation into perspective about what is important!

39 minutes ago, alexander5 said:

Hi Guys,

I am trying to apply for travel exemption for my in-laws. As I fill the exemption form, it has a field called "Role in travelling party". The field is not clear. Could you guys guide me on what kind of information are they after? See the image attached for what I am referring to..

I've no idea what the 'right' answer is to this question but going on advice from FB forums - it has confused many! - we just put 'Parent of an Australian Citizen'.  

35 minutes ago, falpat said:

No, nothing since the exemption was approved. Seeing other people (like your Dad) who applied way before us, I think maybe we have a while to wait. But hoping it will still be less than 31 days!

 

I have a very similar timeline to you. Exemption was approved after 7 days, still waiting on visa… fingers crossed 

Please keep any updates coming it's really helpful - applying for our 651 and exemption today for travel in January.  Fingers crossed there is some movement on processing times for these 651 visas soon.  My daughter in Melbourne knows of another case where a friend's mother is travelling in December from the UK and again - like others here on this forum - her exemption came through pretty quickly but still waiting on the visa.  We have had a 143 application in since March 2017 and have noticed over the years that the processing of our 651 visas, which we have used to visit our family from that time, have taken a little longer to come through.  Used to be immediate but then took on average about 5 days.  Guessing that our 143 application may have flagged something in the system - not that there is any issue travelling in on a 651 whilst a 143 has been submitted.  Hope to hear your parents get their visas soon! 

1 hour ago, Jonesy87 said:

Apologies in advance for my ignorance around this process. I have a new baby and baby brain is real!

I have Aus citizenship and have lived here for 13 year, currently in QLD. My dad is living in the uk and would love to be able to come over and meet bub.

Is the exemption a formality at this stage or is it still for compassionate grounds etc. ? 

weighing up whether to apply now to get him over here ASAP or wait until next year when there are less restrictions.

Thanks

You Dad is entitled to apply for an exemption as 'immediate family' - parents are now included in that category at last.  Not sure of the entry rules into Queensland though at this present time.  We would have no problem entering Melbourne after the 1st Nov to see one of our daughters but entry into Perth where the other lives is very restricted at present.  We are unable to travel until early January as it happens and as other posters have noted borders may be fully open by then.  Who knows!

4 hours ago, Lak1 said:

Applied for 651 e visas on the 14th September. Applied for travel exemption to visit daughter on the 23rd October. The exemption was granted first followed  by our visas on the 30th October.

Thank you for the update that's great.  I guess there should be no issue applying for the 651 then.  What would we all do without the help and advice on these forums?!  It is all much appreciated. 

1 hour ago, paulhand said:

 

651 applications are still open and being processed. If you hold an eVisitor eligible passport, you should be able to ignore the somewhat ambiguous warning message and complete an application. 

Thank you for that update Paul... so basically a warning message will trigger as I progress through the application but I just ignore it and then go in and apply for the exemption?  I suppose there is nothing to lose at the end of the day!

1 minute ago, Clyde114 said:

this is what I got from the old man…

I started completing an application for a 651 eVisitor visa but before I had got very far into it, I was informed that "You are not eligible to apply for the visa using this service

 

I didn't get that far obviously the same would have happened to me!!  Send best wishes to your Dad he's doing a great job testing out the system for us all!  I have everything crossed he gets his 651 granted!  This actually explains why our migration agent was advocating the 600 Visa for us as the directive from immi page seems to send you in that direction for immediate family visas.  I've no idea why....

47 minutes ago, Clyde114 said:

In our experience, my Dad applied for an e651 but was rejected due to no exemption - then same day applied for exemption which has now been approved, so now is applying again for e651

I'll keep you updated on the result

Thank you so much for the update - so useful!  I was just about to attempt to apply for a e651 but just checked back to see if you had replied before I carried on with the application.  Thank goodness I did I then I saw that your Dad's initial 651 had been rejected!  When you access the immi account it only flags up applying for a 600 for immediate family I notice.  We are worried about how long that will take - even though there are promises of expedited processing.  Having been in the queue for a 143 Visa since March 2017 we are finding it hard to actually trust any statements about visa processing these days!  Look forward to your updates.  Thank you again!

3 hours ago, Clyde114 said:

We haven't booked anything yet, dependent on the outcome and length of the visa/exemption process, but would love them to come for Xmas but i appreciate it's a very expensive long shot, so probably Feb/Mar next year...

 

Can I ask did you apply for an e651 visitor visa and was that granted along with your exemption or are you still waiting for the visa grant.  Did you apply for the visa and then submit the exemption request as others have suggested.  It's so stressful knowing what to do and when!  My husband and I hoping to travel early January.