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I applied for my 417 in June 2020 and have still not been approved, yet my (now) ex who applied on the same day had hers approved 2 weeks ago. My waiting time went from 3-6 months, then to 84 Days - 4 months, now the waiting time has completely disappeared... Does anyone know what might be the hold up or anything I can do the check the status?

So I am an Australian/UK citizen and my partner of 6 years is a UK citizen. We would like to move to Oz in spring 2022. My partner would like to apply for the 309 partner Visa. The current wait times are 18 months so it's highly unlikely that she will get the Visa in time. Would it be possible for her to apply for a working holiday visa (417) and wait until we get the result of the 309? Then leave the country for the visa to be granted?

Hi all Im new to this forum and wondering if anyone can help me out as im not sure where else to turn to. I just submitted my whv 417 and Its telling me I now need to arrange for a health check and attach the medical information before the application can be approved. The medical examination is going to cost me £500 or more which i dont really have. When the application asked me what work i planned on doing in Aus i said working with children, in a hospital and with animals. I didn't realise at first that if you state you are going to work with children or in a hospital setting that you would need these medical checks. If i ask to change my work to just working with animals and get rid of children and hospital will this then mean i no longer need to complete the health check? Is this even possible to do? Would this have a negative impact on my application? I appreciate all help Thanks

Hi Guys, I am currently on 417 Working Holiday Visa, I am just about to take the plunge and apply/pay for the 820/801 De Facto Visa. I am seeing some contradicting statements around the conditions of the BVA Bridging Visa. My questions are: 1. Once my Working Holiday has expired in September, and my BVA starts – will I have full unrestricted working rights such as the 820 would grant me or will the conditions of the 417 visa transfer i.e. only being able to work with one employer for 6 months at a time? 2. Once you have paid for the visa, do you receive your BVA instantly (even though it does not come into effect until my 417 expires) or is when my current visa ends that I receive this? Appreciate the thoughts or stories of anyone who has been through a similar situations Cheers :-)

Hi, I moved to Sydney last year on 417 visa, since arriving I’ve been working in Sydney trying to get sponsorship. As a back up I’ve been doing farm work incrementally over the last year. I’ve got an ABN, an employee verification form and reference from the farmer. My issue is that I had been getting paid in cash as it was casual work and don’t have bank records. I can get payslips but the date will range over 9 months and have my total hours worked and total pay, would this be an issue? My worried I may need more precise dates. Thanks Harry

Hi, I applied for my subclass 417 visa online yesterday. I have a drink driving conviction from 2010, I did declare this but reading in some forums it seems there is another visa you can apply for if you have convictions. I don't mind getting my police record with just this on and presenting in if required in my application as I have never been involved with drugs/weapons or in jail. The friend I applied with was accepted in half hour, I was expecting a delay with mine but now worried and may have wasted 365AUD! Just wondering if anyone has applied this way with like convictions or has any advice? Many thanks

Hi All, I have questions regarding the businesses that sign off 88 days of rural work, I am currently going through the process of looking for rural work and am trying to sort my options as to what places qualify with the ability of signing off rural work. I understand that the business have to be located in a "rural" postcode and have to be in the below areas, and have an ABN -Plant and animal cultivation -Fishing and pearling -Tree farming and felling -Mining -Construction Are there any other requirements needed from the businesses to be able to sign off the 88 days of rural work? Can I work for two separate employers to cover the 88 days if work for any reason dries up at one of the employers? Does the business have to be registered as a rural company in any capacity or can I just undertake work that fits within the requirements using any company? If my payslips from the employers are listed as 7 days i.e 1st to the 7th but I have only worked 3 days due to the employer not having work on the other days, does that mean I can submit that as 7 days worked or do the actual days I have worked need to be disclosed? Any advice would be greatly appreciated with this

Hi Guys, today the immigration has updated the new processing time for the 417 Visa. It will be between 23 and 53 days. I'm just worried for my sister in law because she is in Australia with a student Visa but it will expire in June. So now, she is thinking to go back to Italy, apply for the 417 and Wait till the Visa will be approved. . I'm also worried that nowadays, causing all those changes and tough rules, her Visa can be refused, because the Immigration can think that she is finding a different way to stay permanently in Australia. Please share with me your experiences and your knowledges about this matter. Thank you ?

Hi Guys, my sister in low wants to apply for the 417 Visa. Do you know how long will be the processing time for it, based in your own experiences?? The immi website is showing 15-44 days. Any advice will be very appreciate. thank you ?

Hi there, I'm hoping someone can provide me with some clarity on this issue. I started working for a new employer a few weeks ago but it wasn't until I got my first paycheck that I discoveres that they weren't registered to employ working holiday makers. Basically this means I'm getting taxed over 30% when it should only be 15%. I've spoken to my employer about them getting registered and they've pretty much told me that because they're a large international company they would look into it but wouldn't make any promises that they'd actually register. I was even told they would understand if I wanted to leave my role due to the higher tax I'm getting. My employer said they spoke to the ATO who assured them I could claim back my tax at the end of the tax year. I just got off the phone with the ATO and was told the opposite. That basically if the company doesn't register for working holiday makers then I'm stuck at paying the higher tax rate and will not be able to claim anything back at the end of the tax year. Is there anything I can do about this? Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello, I’m looking for some advise on the 2nd working holiday visa. I’ve now been waiting for 9 weeks on my application, my boyfriend and I lodged them at the same time and his got approved in 4 weeks! We did everything correctly, supplied ALL documents, got paid enough, worked on a farm for 96 days etc etc. I did get asked to provide more information with a form all about the farm which was about a month ago and I’ve heard nothing. I just don’t know what to do, I’m freaking out and wondering if anybody else’s 2nd year visa is taking this long? Is this normal? I’m in limbo here and losing my damn mind

Hi all I have now been waiting 8 weeks and 4 days for my 417 working holiday visa to be granted and still no answer. The travel agent I purchased the visa through has chased DIBP twice for me and still no response, I have also been in touch with the processing team via email and chased them twice however no response. There is a number you can call on the DIBP website which is 0061 131 881... you usually have to hold for approximately 40 minutes to speak to one of the team. I spoke with a gentlemen called Alex last night and he tried calling the processing team in Queensland however there was no response, he sent them an email and asked for them to email me an update - I'm mindful that they have never responded to any of our emails and that they never will respond. Its a really tricky situation as I've missed my flight, lost out on a job and also lost money on an Airbnb. The process shouldn't take this long and I HAVE NOT been asked for any medical tests, I don't not have any criminal convictions and I hold a British passport (born in the UK) Is anyone else experiencing serious delays here??? any advise on what could be going on and who I could potentially call? its driving me insane no hanging around in limbo Thanks Nima

Hi all, hope whoever is reading this is well, Has anyone had their 417 Working holiday visa denied? I applied for a 417 Working Holiday Visa (I'm a pommie) and on the form it asked if i have ever overstayed my visa in a country, which unfortunately i have done, when i was in Taiwan 2014 (obviously not meaning to- forgot to renew my visa so I went to renew it and turned out I had to renew this visa outside of the country and i had actually already overstayed so I flew home and paid a fine at the airport before leaving). My visa has not been approved/denied yet but I know Australia is strict on not wanting possible overstayers and I've read in many posts people (Brits) getting their visas approved in minutes. So, I am wondering if I'm going to end up waiting the 36 working days to find that my visa will be denied, because of my Taiwan overstay! Anyone been in this position before and had their visa approved (or denied), albeit in the 36 working day processing time frame? I've been granted a student visa before when i studied in Australia for 3 years (2010-2013) and didn't breach any rules on my visa there, so hoping that counts for something? Thanks in advance for any insight on the situation- I'm just very excited to get started on my aussie adventure but now worrying my visa won't be granted! Naomi

Hi, Can anyone help? I've been waiting nearly 12 days for a working holiday visa, I'm a British citizen, and i've read people recently on here that have had their applications approved within minutes... is anyone experienced waiting ages for this?

Hi all - new to forum, signed up especially as hit a new low following the ATO's WHV tax rebate rules. looking for people in similar situation. As per the ato website WHV holders who have earnt $18,200 or more between Jan-Jun 2017 will get essentially NO TAX FREE THRESHOLD on any income received Jul-Dec 2016.Say you earnt $18,200 in Jul-Dec 2016 and $18,200 in Jan-Jun 2017: this means you pay 15% on WHV income which also in turn erodes the tax free threshold on earlier income resulting in paying 19% tax on $18,200 PLUS 15% tax on $18,200. This can’t be right surely?????? I've gone from overpaying my Jun-Dec 2016 tax by $2-3k (pro-rata threshold / previous tax rules) to not only having that eroded by income earnt in 2017 but I now owe tax apparently, even though I've been consistently paying 15% tax in 2017. (FI I earnt approx $24k 2016 and $15k 2017 paying $7k in tax in total)

Hi there, I applied for my First WHV around 6 weeks ago and am yet to receive a decision. A few days after I applied the DIBP requested some more documents. (Police certificate, Court doc, Character declaration). I submitted these documents ASAP (within 6 days) of the request and confirmed I had provided all information requested. I have tried phoning the office dealing with my application as it is now well beyond the advised 29 day processing time, (after spending about £40 on phone calls) only to be told it's completely out of the departments hands once more information has been requested and is down to a third party, (Police I assume) without the agent even taking a reference number. The first guy I spoke to did take my reference number and was actually checking for me and the call was dropped. Extremely frustrating to sit on hold for 45 minutes, only to be told they won't even be taking a reference number to check the status. Incredibly difficult to get through to the office, with massive hold times and expense. Anyway, my question is does anyone have experience in applying for 417 Visa with a drink driving conviction? And if so, how long did it take for the department to make a decision? The conviction was 5 years ago, I've rehabilitated and I was completely up front and honest about it on my application and character declaration. Any help would be appreciated! Cheers.

Hello all My 1st year working holiday visa expires in June. I had already spent 6 months with an ad agency who said they'd sponsor me, but, after that 6 months, they said they weren't able to afford to put me in the role I'd been promised so I had little choice but to leave. After endless job searching, I'm currently in late stage interviews for mid to senior level advertising jobs with a couple of companies who said they're willing to sponsor me on a 457, but nothing is guaranteed—especially not now with the recent 457 bombshell. The reality of having to leave the life I've built here, as well as my long-term girlfriend, is starting to dawn on me. My question to you guys is, if for whatever reason I wasn't able to secure sponsorship by the time my 417 expires, do I have any options beyond just going home to the UK? Is there any possibility to request a few extra months on top of my 12 month working holiday visa in order to have time to secure a 457? Thanks TooEasy

Does anyone know the time scale on a 2nd year working holiday visa i sent my application in with my regional work, all signed off and with a reference. ITs taken a lot longer than i have expected I've been waiting 3 weeks now, with no news whatsoever just the confirmation of a bridging visa. does any body know how long this is going to take, I'm starting to get nervous.

Hi there, first ever post on here so bear with me lol. Some background info, I've recently moved here from Scotland to be with my Ozzie girl who i met when she was travelling europe. We became inseparable and her visa was expiring so i decided to get a WHV so i could be with her and if all worked out, we would look into a more permanent solution so we could stay together. The time has finally arrived and i've been here coming on 9 months now and we're going to apply for a 820 defacto visa. We have no doubts that it will be granted as we more than fit the brief, but i've been searching forums and cant seem to find an up to date answer to this question. Currently got a job working in a metal workshop casually with full time hours, and have been told that il be given a full time contract once i get this visa situation sorted. But i know that i have a 6 month limit to each employer and i read that the processing times of the 820 are currently sitting at 12 - 15 months according to the immi website. So if i apply for this visa and obtain the bridging visa, will that take effect immediately and the 6 month rule will go out the window, or does it mean i have to wait until my WHV expires in december (which would mean finding new employment) then going back to my current place of work as i have been there since April as is. Any feed back would be appreciated, thank you kindly

hi there, I would like to know which visa is the best for me to apply for so that I can live in Australia permanently. I am 6 months in to my 1 year working holiday visa. I will start a new construction job that I am qualified for in April. I have realised that 3 months regional work in construction will allow me to apply for a 2nd year working holiday visa. I will have this by June/July. Will this allow me to apply for the 2nd year in time for the end of August when mine expires? Or would the 457 be better, as this would give me 2(?) years?? I think the Expression of Interest site states this doesn't need a skills assessment is this correct? My employer will consider sponsoring me also, in this case what would I need to do and by when? I want to apply for the permanent visa in the mean time, so this will give me enough time to gather all the documents and more experience I need to apply for permanent residency. Thank you in advance!!! Any replies extremely appreciated!!

Hi folks A couple of years ago while i was on my 417 second yr holiday visa i worked for a company for 9 months, I thought it was the end of the road and all set to return to the UK as my company didnt sponsor and I had a job to go back to. However my company decided to sponsor me then , my sponsorship went through and it was granted within 2 weeks of applying for it, even though i had worked for this company for 9 months. Now it time to apply for PR. I used the true dates ive worked on my vetassess and that was granted in 4 weeks and now its time to fill out the PR papers. Just a bit worrying that the 9 months i worked for this company may come back and hunt me. Does anyone have any advice on this or has anyone been through it as well? I was talking to a Migration agent and he told me that if it wasnt picked up in the last visa application then im ok, as what happened in a previous visa they cannot come back and use that against me, only on a current visa. Regards Brian

Hi, i need a little help please ok so i applied for my second working holiday visa but it turns out my farmer is under investigation so immigration want more information from me, such as bank statements, bus reciepts etc - which i cant provide. i have 28 days to reply to this email with the information, what do i do? do i ignore it? or do i withdraw my application? will this affect my future applications? im currently with an oz so i do want to put in for my defacto at some point and dont want this affected. help please

Just after a bit of advice RE my current work status. I have just (yesterday) applied for my partner visa 820, by post to Brisbane office. Received conformation of receipt today and request for form 80, Police checks and Health checks (Which i left out because immi advised me to do them in a few months to avoid them being invalid)!? anyways, my question is relating to my current visa, Working holiday subclass 417 which includes a 6 month work restriction. I had a casual Christmas job i worked at for around 2 and half months, they were very eager to keep me on come January and give me full time hours, but head office were unprepared to do so until i sorted out the 6 month work restriction as they didn't want to risk getting fined etc if I accidentally went over. They are however provisionally holding the hours for me for as long as they can to see if i can get this issue sorted out. Having lodged my partner visa I am just waiting to Hopefully be granted the 820 which has no work restriction and i can stay on no problem, now with processing times what they are at the moment its looking like 9 - 12 months before i will even be seen, so my plan was to apply to have the restriction lifted on the grounds of waiting for partner visa to be processed. I have spoken to a few people from immigration and been giving some pretty different answers about this. First off i wonder what classes as exceptional circumstances which they claim they are able to lift the restriction under. Living on one income with no possibility of moving out from parents Unit, (where we are currently staying) also we are trying to get pregnant. Seems very restricting and is stopping us from being able to move forward with anything surviving on one income and not sure how we would cope if we do get pregnant. Now i know that i can work, just not for longer than six months, but i have applied for a lot of jobs and been rejected basically on my immigration status, i know working holiday visa isn't designed for this situation and that is why we have applied for PM because circumstances change! Not planning on travelling now, want to settle down and start a family with my fiance. ( this was always our plan, have been together for 3 years, originally came to Australia, her home, to see if moving here would be plausible, long story short, love it here and for a few reasons have had to fastrack our plans!) Thanks for staying with me thus far. Am i correct in believing that when my working holiday 417 runs out in Aug, and i Go onto Bridging visa A, the 6 month restriction resets and i could in theory return to work with this employer for another 6 months, by which tie my partner visa should have come through? Also if i do want to get back to work ASAP and i apply for the 6 month restriction to be waived, has anyone had experience with this, Successful or not!? What did you have to show, provide in order to get it? And last but not least what form did you apply for it with!? Some sites reckon form 1005, which seems to be more for if you are on a bridging visa and want to change to a diff bridging visa!? or the link from the immi website takes you to just a word doc form titled, 'request permission to work with an employer beyond six months on a working holiday visa or work and holiday visa' which seems like the more logical choice to use. Thank you for sticking with me through this saga! any comments would be greatly appreciated! You guys on this forum usually rock when it comes to my pernickity questions! Cheers Chris

I apologise in advance if this is a commonly asked question, but I went through a few pages and couldnt find somebody in the exact same situation as myself. I have a bit of a dilemma. I am currently on a subclass 417 (working holiday visa - 1st year) nearly 8 months in. My current place of employment wants to sponsor me but my job role doesn't fall under an category in the Skills Job List on the immigration website. I work in an admin type role for the fire brigade. I am definately wanting to stay for a 2nd year BUT I have to make the decision to do regional work as I need to start ASAP if I want to do my 88 days. My question is really... What are the chances of getting sponsored in my current job role, not being classed as "skilled"? What I am worried about is I get all the paperwork together applying, taking a month to process, getting rejected and then not leaving enough time to do my regional work (back to ol' blighty I go ) Thanks in advance Matt

Hi there, I am a newb, so hopefully i get the terms right and someone can give me some good advice. I am currently on a 417 visa, which expires in february. I have applied for the 175 skilled visa - but I understand this can take quite a while to go through. Is there any way I can get a temporary visa / another visa / some mechanism to stay in oz whilst my 175 is processed? I am currently working and can get a letter of support from my employer... thanks for any help you might offer... bio