Parent Migration

[Jennifer_C]

Has anyone gone through or going through Parent Migration Sub Class Visa 143

I would like to ask a few questions.

 

Much thanks

Jennifer C.

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Hi Jen

 

Welcome to Poms in Oz.

 

Several of our Members have Contributory Parent visas, including my mother. Johatts' Mum, Caz Beckham, has applied for a CP 143 which is currently in the final stages of processing. Randpm's CP 173 visa was granted earier this week. My mother has a CP 143 whih was granted a little over a year ago now.

 

Please ask your questions and between us we will provide answers.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[Jennifer_C]

Dear Gill,

 

Thanks for quick response. Do u know how soon after your Mom had her medicals done that the second fee was requested. The price is astronomical for two of us plus my 16 year old son.

How long did the whole process take as well pse.

 

Regards

J.

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Hi Jen

 

Mum's application was made during the 2005/6 Program Year when the processing was a lot quicker than it is now. Caz's timeline is more typical of current progress. She heard from her CO for the first time exactly 9 months after her application was lodged. Johatts, her daughter, has an appointment with Centrelink today for the interview for the Assurance of Support.

 

Caz's meds have been done and should be at the LCU (Local Health Clearance Unit) in Sydney by now. However, the LCU have a backlog with Meds processing at present and files are taking about 6 weeks to reach the top of the processing pile. The AOS could easily take 6-8 weeks as well, because Centrelink can be very slow.

 

The CO does not normally ask for the second instalment until th Meds have been cleared and Centrelink have confirmed that the AoS processing has been completed. Once the POPC have the money, they can grant the visa very quickly if you want them to. They tend to try to gauge what the applicant seems to want, and if the applicant doesn't want to rush the process (some don't) the CO will not snap at his/her heels. If the family wants the visa granted yesterday, the POPC will co-operate with that notion instead. They are fantastically helpful and an absolute joy to deal with.

 

Expect the whole process to take around 15 months from the official lodgement date, I suggest. The lodgement date is given when they acknowledge the application and all times are estimated from the date stated in the ack letter.

 

Most of the Agents are predicting that the current timeline of about 15 months is likely to increase, though, because the CP visa has become oversubscribed. They are restricted to granting 3,500 CP visas a year and they currently have applications for roughly double that number.

 

Alan Collett is a Registered Migration Agent and the Managing Diretor of Go Matilda. I reckon they have more experience with Parent and Contributory Parent visas than any other firm of Migration Agents. In May 2007, the POPC told Alan that they had run out of visas for the 2006/7 Program Year and that they could not grant any more visas until 1st July, when the 2007/8 Program Year started.

 

There have been a spate of CP visa grants since the beginning of October 2007 and they seem to be speeding up on allocating COs, too. Caz heard from hers after 9 months but a chap on aother forum heard after only 7.5 months. Possibly the POPC might have decided to crack on with the processig for the moment, and then by the time they run out of visas (probably in about Aoril 2008) the staff can then concentrate on all the year end stuff in May & June 2008. I'm guessing, though.

 

I strongly recommend that you have a initial freebie chat with Alan Collett before you go any further with your plans, however, because there are opportunities for you to save a considerable amount of money here. What you could do is as follows:

 

Either you or Hubby make the CP application, in your sole name. As soon as the CP visa hioder has validated the CP visa, you immediately make a Spouse application forthe other Parent, and you include your 16 year old son in the Spouse application as the Spouse's dependent. This would save you getting on for £30,000, I should think, and not only is it a perfectly lawful strategy but the POPC have confirmed that they are very familiar with it. They don't publicise the possibility because the Government wants the money, but they turned out to know all about it when Alan Collett investigated it earlier this year. The normal requirement for a CP visa holder to have lived in Oz for about 2 years before sponsoring anyone else doesn't apply in the case of a Spouse application, apparently, so that can be made straightaway and they are usually processed within a matter of weeks.

 

I would never in a million years recommend this idea to Parents who are 20 years older than you & Hubby. At that age, there are far more important considerations than money and peace of mind is one of them. However, you and Hubby are young enough to do it, hence I think you should talk it over with Alan.

 

At the time when the "split visa strategy" as it is called was being debated, Alan Collett produced a Factsheet about it. I can't attach it to this post because the file size exceeds the size permitted by the forum software. However, if you e-mail me (Click just under my user-name to the left ofthis post and the drop down menu will offer you the option) I will e-mail a copy of it to you.

 

As with anything else, there are pros and cons with the split visa strategy, hence I think you should speak direct with the author of the factsheet. Alan can be contacted via GM's Melbourne Office. The details are here:

 

Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Contact and Feedback

 

Cheers

 

Gill