SAAustralia Immigration Application

Question On Student Visa

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:55:39 +0000

Hi all

I am trying desperately to get my brother-in-law and his girlfriend to Australia.

He is busy studying through UNISA in South Africa while working and she is working (and has qualifications in tourism). There qualifications don't catapult them on to any sort of SOL or ENSOL at the moment.

I was thinking of getting them in on a student visa for her - she would study something practical at TAFE (regular uni is a price gouge on international students) and he would continue his degree through UNISA which would result in a qualification which is on the ENSOL (currently) and he could add some teaching subjects which would put him on the SOL.

They would stay with us and work their 20 hours a week while term is in session.

Is this a viable method of getting them out here - do you see any reason as to this not working out long term or the study visa's being rejected...I am particularly concerned around the proving intention to stay in Australia on a temporary basis...

I don't want to encourage them to pack up their lives, try it and then it all falls down - I don't think they could handle that.

The other alternative is for him to keep studying in SA and then apply for PR when he is done, but I am concerned about his current job coming to an abrupt end.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Cheers
Chris

Academic Standing Of The Institution

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:57:49 +0000

Hi everyone,

I am currently in the process of finalizing the paperwork with regards to the Legal Admissions Board (New South Wales) and ran into a bit of an issue, hopefully someone has done this before and I can get it sorted.

The Legal Admissions Board require �information on the academic standing of the institution conducting their studies�, I have rung up the University and they couldnt help, I also ran some internet searches and no answer there.

Anyone got some pointers on how to obtain the above?

Many thanks in advance.

Antonio

Processing Of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration Applications

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:42:41 +0000

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/gsm-priority5-processing.htm

Quote

Commencement of processing of Priority Group 5 applications

Based on the number of applications on hand and anticipated application rates for Priority Groups 1 and 3, the department expects to commence allocating some Priority Group 5 applications this program year.

There are currently approximately 27 347 applications lodged from in Australia and 15 284 applications lodged from outside Australia Priority Group 5 cases awaiting allocation.

http://www.embraceaustralia.com/australian-visa-update-priority-5-allocation-very-close-9978.htm

Quote

�Onshore Priority 5 applications lodged in 2005 will be the first to be allocated and offshore applications will not be allocated until all 27,347 onshore applications have a Case Officer�.

�In addition the number of Priority Group 5 applications processed this program year will continue to depend on the number of higher priority applications received, and other factors such as changes to DIAC�s processing priorities, or changes to the migration program itself.�

DIAC says it has approximately 27,347 Priority 5 applications lodged within Australia and 15,284 Priority 5 applications lodged offshore, awaiting allocation.

Processing of Priority Group 5 applications lodged in Australia will begin with the approximately 756 remaining applications in the visa subclasses in effect prior to September 2007.

Processing of Priority Group 5 applications lodged outside Australia will begin with applications in visa subclasses 495 and 496, which were lodged prior to 1 September 2007, the oldest of which was lodged on 10 July 2006. There are approximately 594 cases in this group.

Looking at the above, it seems a bit contradictory, but what it essentially means is that there is movement on its way.

However, Offshore applicants are not likely to see movement if the second link is correct. For all Onshore applicants to be processed at 1000 per week, they'd need about six months, and this is assuming that no higher priority applications are received. Not good news...

Anybody over there have a job for me?

Anyone Pay Icaa By Credit Card Recently?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:07:43 +0000

Hi.

Has anyone recently applied for an ICAA assessment and pay by credit card (completing the credit card info in the application sent through the mail)? And were there any problems? I was hoping that this issue of SA credit cards not going through is an old/isolated event.

And if anyone has recently done a bank draft - where and what documents? Standard Bank so far is the only bank that says they'll do it - and then it will be 3 days and I need an invoice in my name from the ICAA??!!! Is this normal??

Sa Doctors

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:35:47 +0000

Hi All

I'm doing an application to get family members into Australia
they are currently living in Nelspruit and have to do a medical ,I just had a look at the Doctor Panel on the Aus immigration website and could only find doctors in The major cities
Is this the only place they can go for medicals or is their a list that we are missing

Regards
Bullet

Medicals Referred

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:06:05 +0000

Well they received our medicals in Sydney this morning and mine were immediately changed to "finalised", but my other half's medicals have been referred (as expected). I'm kindof stressing and nervous now and I'm hoping to get some kind of reassurance I guess

I don't really want to go into too much detail but he has a lifelong condition that needs a visit to a specialist once a year and daily medication. He leads a normal life completely. At our medicals we were requested to supply a letter from the specialist we use here, which we did, and the specialist provided a glowing report that his prognosis is excellent, basically self managed, etc.

I still sit here worrying though Here we are at the 99% mark and it's one last little stress situation!

*holding thumbs*

Checking Status Of Police Clearance

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:14:53 +0000

http://www.saps.gov.za/_dynamicModules/internetSite/beh_cert_search.asp

Upon spending about half an hour on hold and getting cut off I finally got hold of a person who had interpersonal and communication skills of a teaspoon BUT he gave me this link. Actually he just told me that "somewhere" on the SAPS website you can put your ID number in and find out what the status is.

At least now I can check this weekly until something happens!

Skills Assessment - Engineers Australia

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:29:17 +0000

Hi All,

I have been struggling a bit with myself' and my husband's skills assessment and at this stage I am hoping that someone on this forum might be able to give us a little insight

I have a few questions:

1. My qualification is accredited under ECSA (Industrial Engineer), but in order to apply for Washington Accord accreditation do I need to be registered under ECSA as a professional engineer or will the Washington Accord accept my qualification without being registered?

2. My husbands qualification is on the SOL list, but it is not ECSA accredited, he has a N6 diploma in Engineering Technology.
What would be the best to do, get accredited through ECSA, its a very tedious process but possible, or do a Competency Demonstration report (CDR) that will be submitted to Engineers Australia?

3. Our IELTS test results will expire in less than 5 months, will that be a problem?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

457 Visa Approved

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:56:49 +0000

Hi all,

Finally it has been successful!! Now we just have to start cleaning everything.

Does anyone know where to get your visa label in your passport, my wife needs one.

Thanks!

Wait For 175 Visa

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:34:15 +0000

I have had a look at the two most recent emails from DIAC regarding the processing times for various visas. Of particular interest to me is the 175 visa (I lodged on 15 July 2011).

On 1 July 2011 they were processing applications from 10 July 2010
On 18 July 2011 they were processing applications from 10 August 2010

From this it looks like they are processing a month's worth of applications every two weeks. Could it be that the wait for a CO could be as little as 5 to 6 months at the moment?

The latest update email however says the following:

This automated e-mail response was last updated 18 July 2011 and will not be updated again. (my own emphasis.

From the begining of August the processing times are displayed on the DIAC site at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/estimated-allocation-times.htm

From the latest dates it looks like they are processing up to 16 August 2010.

It would be good to keep an eye on this and see whether a trend develops.

Medicals - Please Help

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:48:38 +0000

My fiance' (based in in Melbourne on a business visa 457) applied for a PR in June last year and from my calculations, should be getting a case officer in the next 3 weeks. Today, she received an email requesting a few items but referred us to the online checklist and it still shows her Medicals and X-ray as requested and not received. She completed these about 3 months ago and when the status didn't change, she was told that it will only change when a case officer is assigned. It just doesn't sound right to me. She received an envelope that said it mustn't be opened and must be delivered to the DIAC office. When we called to get info on where to deliver, we were told it's only a backup and doesn't need to be delivered and the doctor submits the info electronically.......but with no change in status, I'm concerned this envelope must indeed be delivered.

We would call DIAC, but Sarah just left to the USA today for 3 week, so I want to arrange this in her absence and I have no doubt they won't provide me with this info if I call them.

Anyone have any advice?

175 Processing Time

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:17:21 +0000

Just because I'm a scientist and can't help myself I drew up a graph to predict when my application would be processed.
It seems like it should be around July 2012, but the rate seems to be dropping

information from PomsinOz
http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/138985-new-cat-4-july-1st-2011-part-3-a-19.html
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqEBgay7xfFvdEpQS2NMbTItV1o5bTctcE4wa1pVWHc&hl=en_GB#gid=1

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Medicals Done

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:08:43 +0000

on tuesday we finally got through our medicals. Not easy with three kids. In total it took three hours. We went to dr cobb in rosebank. he was very nice, but like other forumites warned me a bit weird. But what really counted was that he was great with my kids, sharing that he has five of his own! The medicals were largely non invasive, weight, height, eyes, chest, ears etc. The first funny experience was when he had to check the boys testicles. I had no idea that this was part of the exam and did not warn them. I went first with the baby and then my five year old. As soon as the doctor ventured down under my son clamped his knees together and was having none of that!! At least i could warn my eight year old before he went in with me but he was equally miseable. Hubby was the worst of all! My advice to other parents using this office - bring toys or games or the psp. The exams are long and the few dirty toys on the floor did nothing for my kids. And its long to bring snacks and juice. I thought i was pretty organised but my three were going mad by the end. I had to seriously cajole by the time we landed up by x rays. I was so glad that it was over that i gave them all steets for supper!

Now we wait! I was overweight, which sadly i could say was no suprise but otherwise the clan were all completely healthy. The dr comforted me by saying that my weight really should not be a problem so i felt ok?

But yes so glad its done. I cant even imagine the flight will be that bad with the kids. At least you can drug them!!!

Medicals Done

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:51:30 +0000

Medicals Done

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:54:39 +0000