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Travel Exemptions


ThatMorneGuy

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Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to start a thread for anyone to share their stories, whether you have been successful in getting your Travel Exemption approved, or still stuck in South Africa waiting to get a Travel Exemption approved. Maybe you even have some tips on how to have a successful application, or just need some support from people in the same situation.

 

My name is Morne, last year I was offered employment at an Australian Telecommunications company, with their office in Gold Coast QLD, as a Senior Network Engineer. My partner, Megan, and I received our Visas in December and have since been applying for Travel Exemptions. So far we have had 4 Travel Exemptions rejected, obviously they don't tell you why, but based on all the official websites explaining the Travel Exemption requirements we should be exempt. We were counting on borders opening between July/October as a backup solution, but the latest news is that its being pushed out until Mid 2022... Just wonderful. Would be interesting to see if they will actually extend our Visa validity.

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Hi @ChrisH

Nope, I've got a TSS 482 Visa and Megan has a partner Visa (Weird thing is that it shows it also being a TSS 482 on Megans Visa Grant document)

Our Immigration Agent assured us in December that we completely qualify for a Travel Exemption based on my occupation, and that my Visa is sponsored by an employer. As such we resigned from our jobs and sold everything ready to fly to Australia end of January as we were told🤣😂 Luckily Im able to work remotely. The worst part is not knowing when we might be allowed to travel, which means we can't plan anything, basically our lives are on hold for now.

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Oof that sucks,  I hope you get positive news soon!

 

In terms of whether your company will extend, I'm confident they will. There is a massive shortage of skill in the IT industry at the moment due to them not really granting many visas in the last year (I'm a Software engineer) so I'm sure you company will hold on to you. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi @ThatMorneGuy,

If you have a SC482 visa then your partner also has a SC482 visa (as it states on the visa grant letter).  As far as the exemption goes it does sound like you should fall into the Telecommunications Critical Skills category.  I have managed to secure travel exemption for a number of SC482 visa holders in similar situations.  The request will pass or fail on the supporting documents and accompanying submission.  I presume your Agent would help with this?

 

Regards

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Hi @SD_MOA,

Do you perhaps know which documents I need to submit with the application?

I have done 4 exemption applications through the agent (which he charged me AU$300 for each time) and with the last 2 I just got a sense that he wasn't really eager to help. With the last application it took him a week to finally submit it, and he only let me know it was rejected 2 weeks after.

I have done 2 applications by myself, just attaching our Grant documents, my employment contract and our passports. I cant find much detail on what documents they want.

We have also previously done covid tests and added the result documents to the application. At this point I just wish it was possible for us to get the vaccine, maybe that might help, but it might be months/years away

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From my understanding, if they do grant you an exemption to travel to Australia on a temporary visa based on critical skills, that only you would be allowed to enter - not your family - as it would be an individual exemption.  I could be wrong but that's how I read and understand it.

 

If your employer writes a letter that your skill is very specialised and critically needed and that they are unable to source someone locally, that could strengthen your case.  Also if your being here is crucial to the survival of the company or that they would lose business/clients etc without your skills. The company should state how many Australians they employ and their contribution to the economy of Australia. If you'll be looking after a specific corporate client or your skill would be applied to a specific corporate client, that client could also write a motivation. More is more... don't just focus on the one thing - list as many reasons you could that would emphasise the necessity for your specific role within the company and how it would benefit the company and Australia.  Attach everything you can that would influence/sway the decision.

 

I've applied for a few exemptions to leave and one of them was granted in 8 minutes.  Your employer can apply on your behalf which I think would add more urgency/legitimacy to your application.  You could also apply yourself. You honestly don't need to pay an agent to do that for you. 

 

Good luck, I hope you get here soon. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi there

 

I wanted to find out if anyone has successfully received a travel exemption based on the compassionate reason of being separated from their partner?

 

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12 hours ago, Pratish said:

Hi there

 

I wanted to find out if anyone has successfully received a travel exemption based on the compassionate reason of being separated from their partner?

 

 

It would likely depend upon the wider circumstances of the individual case.
Just being separated in itself would be insufficient - there are many many people who are separated form their partner or children waiting for visas to be processed who are unsuccessful in obtaining an exemption. 

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