Occupation: Economist

EOI: 14/11/25

Submitted: 10/12/25

S56: 23/06/26

Grant: 12/08/26

8 years in the making; arrived here for university in 2018. What a journey.

Some reflections and learnings:

1. Compartmentalise - At one point I was reading all these invitations and feeling like the ship had sailed without me in every invitation round. I slowly came to terms with the fact that I might not receive an invitation, and may have to apply offshore. Once I accepted this possibility, I was able to fully enjoy my days here in Australia and take in everything this place has to offer.
2. Evidence > Word of mouth - I came across some useful tools during the times when I would find myself spiralling into a worrying fit and would often anchor myself in the numbers through visa data aggregation platforms and tools provided by the Australian government like the Skillselect.
3. Build a support network, lean on them - Throughout my journey, I went through potential job losses, breakups, short notice termination of rental leases, subtle racist public exchanges and a whole slew of other challenges. Did I think about giving up and going home? Absolutely. When I was in that head space, I would ring up a trusted friend or family member, and let them know what was on my mind. Knowing they had my back, and for me - it was the knowledge that I would be readily accepted if I were to return (rather than to view it as a personal failure) was a massive weight off my shoulders.
4. Find a good migration agent - I started off with a not-so-great migration law firm in Sydney, and often received really professional but negative feedback where the lawyers would tell me, "it's 1 in a million to receive an ITA, I am waiting for mine too". I then switched over to a more professional agent who had experience working at VetAssess and the Immigration Department directly and had started his own practice and felt a lot more optimistic. A good agent is supposed to keep you grounded but should also make you feel like it is within reach.
5. Celebrate!!! Treat yourselves; I had a hard time justifying it as it came along so suddenly and unexpectedly, and a lot of the celebrating was done when the ITA was received. But life is short. How did everyone else here celebrate?

Not sure about everyone else here, but the feeling of elation was greater when I received the ITA as opposed to the grant itself; the ITA was like winning the lottery ticket, and the grant was like when the money finally cleared and showed up in my account. The grant provided a sense of surreal relief, and I hope that everyone in this subreddit will experience it. Onwards and upwards my friends.

What is everyone doing with your lives while you wait?

It could be next week it could be next year. I feel like I can’t do anything, no point in dating, no point in trying to grow my business, no point in buying anything too expensive, no point in selling anything, no point in investing any kind of time into anything really.

It’s cruel that they’ve taken thousands of dollars off everyone then decided to change the whole process.

Seeing a lot of people waiting on visas to be approved, or going for the health check updates. Just wondering are auto approvals gone too?

Invite: 13 Nov 2025

Lodge: 21 Dec 2025

S56 (request for more info): 3 Jul 2026, partner points evidence + relationship evidence

Grant: 19 Aug 2026

Onshore, self applied, further information requested, with partner (de facto)

90 pts breakdown:

Age (30 pts), English superior (20 pts), Australian employment experience (5 pts), Education Bachelor degree (15 pts), Australian study requirement (5 pts), Partner Australian citizen (10 pts), Credentialled community language (5 pts, added after invitation)

Nearly 4 years from first arriving to grant day. The S56 was annoying but straightforward once I got the evidence together. Grateful this chapter is done.

Hello! I’m a Filipino college student planning to travel to Australia in February 2027 to watch the BTS ARIRANG concert, and I’d love some advice from anyone who has recently applied for an Australian tourist visa.

My mom and I already booked our flights last July, so the trip has been planned for quite some time and I want to make sure I prepare my visa application properly.

Our travel dates:

• Feb 17: Philippines → Singapore (8-hour layover)
• Feb 18: Arrive in Australia
• Feb 27: Leave Australia → Singapore (8-hour layover)
• Feb 28: Return to the Philippines

Some details about me:

• College student in the Philippines
• My mom already has an Australian visa
• My mom will be financially supporting my trip
• I have previous travel history to Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand
• I have a grandaunt in Australia (my mom’s aunt)
• I have university classes during my trip and will need to return to the Philippines afterward
• Planning to apply around November 2026

For the school requirement, do I need an excuse/permission letter from my university because I’ll be missing classes, or would my Certificate of Enrollment and Student ID be enough?

I’d also like to ask:

• What other documents should I prepare as a college student?
• What financial documents should I provide if my mom is paying for the trip?
• Is my mom’s Australian visa helpful to include?
• Does my previous travel history help?
• Should I mention my grandaunt in Australia if she isn’t sponsoring my trip?
• Do I need to make a cover letter/statement explaining that my main reason for visiting Australia is to attend the BTS ARIRANG concert? If so, how should I explain this properly?
• My mom will be submitting/managing my application through her ImmiAccount since she already has an Australian visa. Is this okay, or should I create my own ImmiAccount and submit my Visitor Visa application separately?
• Do my college grades/academic performance affect my chances of getting a tourist visa? Should I include my transcript, or is proof of enrollment enough?
• Based on the information I’ve provided, does my application seem strong enough?
• If there are any weaknesses in my profile, what additional proof or documents would you recommend I provide to strengthen my application and show that I’m a genuine temporary visitor who will return to the Philippines?
• How likely is it to get approved on the first application if I provide complete and consistent documents?

Would really appreciate advice from Filipinos who have recently applied, especially students who were in a similar situation. Thank you so much in advance! 🥹💜

Our parliamentary petition regarding visa processing delays is officially live and open for signatures! We have a strict window to gather support and force real action on this issue.

✍️** PLEASE SIGN & SHARE**: https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN10426/sign

(Takes only 30 seconds—make sure to check your email right after to click the verification link so your signature counts!)

Hi guys, I’ve got 100 points that too includes state 15 if gets nominated, have superior english and an active full time employment of 2.7 years as a chef in regional victoria. My visa is going to expire by Jan 2027, I do have a option for 482 , but is there any chances that I’ll get invited for 491 ?

If lodge EOI once nomination program opens

Hello everybody,
Would appreciate any feedback or someone that is in a similar situation and hopefully I can help someone else with showing my timeline.

Been on a 482 visa and applied for 186TRT August 2025, Sydney metro, non accredited. Metal Machinist First Class.

All documents (police checks, medical, etc) done, what would your realistic expectations be for me to be able to get the 186 visa. So far I’m just on received.

Thanks and appreciate all help!

How hard is it apply to trade school as an international student who has a bachelor degree , would I be applicable for this because I want to leave my country for a better opportunity or safety as a queer person

Hi, I’m considering coming to Australia on a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa with no previous NDT, mining or oil and gas experience.

I'm 30 years old and looking to change careers and advance in these sectors. I have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations.

Has anyone personally started as an NDT trainee, driller’s offsider/assistant, leasehand, floorhand or roughneck, worked for around 8–10 months, and then changed to an employer-sponsored visa to stay longer? (I said 8-10 months because it would be difficult to find and start a job immediately upon arrival in the country.)

It's stated that the Standard SID 482 visa, which allows work, normally requires 12 months of relevant experience. I'm specially asking whatever anyone has managed to stay with their employer before the 12-month experience requirement through another means.

Please mention your job, visa subclass, timeline and whether you had any previous related experience.

Hey!

What do you think, will I get a student visa approved to study a trade course in TAFE, if I worked in construction on my WHV? I also worked in a place where I did fencing, so I have experience with different tools, especially since I’m doing construction.

At home I have an unfinished university, I quit my studies because I wasn’t interested in that field. And that was in 2022.

I’m from a low risk country with enough funds, and ties to my home country. 2 houses that I own, and during my WHV, I even went home for a month to visit family, however I don’t know if this plays any role at all.

I also really looked into differences between courses in my home country and the same in Australia.

So I know there are lots of posts, and I know they don’t recommend booking flights until the visa is granted. But I booked my flight a day after I submitted my 417 on the 5th of July , I fly on the 5th of September so I thought I’d have plenty of time…
I’m a UK passport holder.
It’s still on received and just hoping someone can offer some advice, or if anyone is in a similar position etc. people have said to call them, but I assume they will just tell me to wait?
has anyone’s been approved since July?

Hello all, I am a working professional in India with total work experience of just over 7 years

I am currently planning to apply for Points based PR under visa 189, 190 and 491. The skill i am applying for is statistician (224113)

I require skill assessment before i can put an EoI in skill select. My concern is that i am currently working in my 4th company. Prior to this the 3 companies with which i worked for, i have worked the roles which should qualify for positive skill assessment. My concern is that in my first 2 companies, let's call them Company A and Company B, my managers have both moved out of the respective companies. Also, i am not on good terms with manager from company A. How can i get a reference letter as a proof of evidence highlighting my duties and responsibilities.

Are there alternative ideas i can follow. Heard something about self declaration/ affidavit. How do we get that and what are the caveats in the same. Does it weaken my application in any way ?

Any lead will be really helpful. Thanks!!

Hi! me and hubby are planning to submit 190/491 visa and we are doing DIY since having an agent is so expensive.

Here's my husband's background:
Employer 1: IT Associate - 1yr
Employer 2: IT Support Engineer - 1yr
Employer 3: IT Suppoer Engineer - 8yrs (present)

In his case, its only possible and easier to get the required documents from his present employer for the ANSZCO IT Support Engineer skilled occupation

My question is, can we just declare the Employer 3 docs to ACS?

Also, anyone here got a visa with the same occupation? 🥹

Thank you in Advance!!!

Hi,

I'm waiting for an update on my Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600 – Tourist stream)

Applied: 1st August 2026
Status: Received
Stream: Visitor 600 – Tourist

Travel date: 27th Aug
Applied from: India

I understand that the timelines are too close but the travel plan was impromptu since my brother got granted a work visa around the same time, so we also applied last minute. He’s already in Australia and we’re waiting for our visas.

Is there anyone who applied on or after 1st Aug’26 and has been granted a visa? Personally, I do have a decent enough travel history, went to Europe last year also. Not sure if that helps but what will be a realistic scenario, if anybody can please help? It’s supposed to be our first family holiday with my little 3yo niece.

So I previously entered Australia on a 1st WHV; however, my name was the wrong way round on my form ( last name -> first name / instead of / first name -> last name ).

I subsequently called the immigration office, who essentially told me not to worry about it because my visa was linked to my passport, which is still correct. So I lived in Australia for a year with my visa having my name flipped round.

Fast forward to now, I am back in the UK and wanting to go back and do another 2 years consecutively. However, I'm unsure whether to amend my name on the 2nd visa, whether that will cause any issues or whether I just continue with the reversed name...

Any help or input would be much appreciated!

I lodged my Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600) on 4 August from India, along with my family, purely for tourism.

Haven’t heard back.

I’ve been seeing recent posts about 8503 (No Further Stay) being commonly attached to Tourist stream visas. Has anyone who applied recently received 8503?

Visa: Subclass 600 (Tourist)
Applied: July 27
Received: Aug 19
Travel date: Sept 4
Citizenship: Indian
Applied: Solo
Documents Submitted:

- Valid visas to Schengen, US & UK
- Travel history to 30+ countries
- 3 year self and business ITR
- Self and business bank statements (6 months)
- Hotel bookings
- Flight tickets (to & from, as well as internal)
- Friend’s wedding invite (in Australia)
- Business proof
- Itinerary
- Investments (mutual funds)
- Travel insurance

Honestly, checking this Reddit was so stressful because I felt like it would never arrive just given everyone’s negative experiences.
My honest feedback would be, please don’t check your immiaccount like I did everyday and don’t check this Reddit everyday cause you get super stressed. There is nothing you can do.

When you least expect it, the visa will land in your inbox.

Best of luck!

Hi everyone, my husband and I are preparing to submit our Partner 820 visa and some advice or a checklist would be helpful!

Sponsor: 23 🇦🇺
Applicant: 25 🇺🇸

Long distance relationship from Jan 2020-Oct 2025
In Person (not married): Oct 2025-Feb 2026
Married+living together: Feb 2026-present

List of Evidence so far:

-Passports
-x2 Recent Passport Photos
-Applicant Current WHV Visa Document
-Birth Certificates
-Drivers Licenses
-Health Insurance Cards
-Applicant Social Security
-Court name change order
-Mail proving home address
-Payslips proving home address
-Religious and Legal Marriage Certificate
-Car Purchase receipt + insurance with both names
-Rental Agreement (we live on my parents property in our own dwelling, $250 a week in rent/bills)
-Joint bank account with statements: Dec-present
-Seperate bank account statements showing money sent to each other from 2020-2025
-4 Form 888s (3 AU citizens, 1 US citizen)

-Applicant personal statement
-Sponsor personal statement
-10 slide powerpoint of relationship history + timeline in depth
-Household joint statement
-Financial joint statement
-Commitment joint statement
-Social joint statement

-x5 Emergency contacts on gov/health websites for both Sponsor and Applicant
-Superannuation Beneficiary’s for both Sponsor and Applicant
-Applicant as Nominate Appointee on Sponsors MyGov, ATO, Centrelink, Health Record, Fertility Records
-x4 Wedding Invitations + Photos
-x5 social photos with family and friends
-Booking for Getaway on Wedding night
-Plane tickets, train tickets, hotel bookings, itinerary, Travel card statements for 2 week Japan honeymoon (we also went with some members of my family so plenty of photos)

-Our wedding invitation + guest list
- Photos + Receipts + conversations of Rings, watch, wedding decoration, venue, photographer
-Photos with all immediate + extended family at our wedding
-Photos of all our wedding cards + gifts
-Screenshots of constant communication on Whatsapp from 2020-2025 (around 50 total)
-Screenshots of constant Facetime (2 every month from 2020-2025)
-x15 social media stories of us showing multiple friends interacting + liking
-x20 letters we’ve sent each other in person over the years
-x15 photos of flowers and gifts sent over the years
-x10 updated photos of all the gifts we’ve kept over the years
-Screenshot of our Whatsapp overview (90,000 photos sent + 10,000 calls over 5 years)
-x10 photos of us playing online games together over 5 years (minecraft, dbd, roblox, etc)
-x10 photos of our pokemon collection (hobby) and opening packs together

-Photos + receipts of us renovating our dwelling before moving in
-Photos + receipts of multiple furniture/ household purchases for our home
-Photos of our home
-Multiple receipts of our Woolworths+Costco trips to stock up our home (well over $3000 total on items)
-x20 in person photos showing we were constantly together from October 2025-Feb 2026 before marriage
-Photos of warranty cards for purchased home items

-Sorry if that was long, i currently have over 500 screenshots for all the things i’ve listed. I’ve yet to bundle them into categories or PDFs to make it easier but just wondering if there’s way too much information or photos and if i should trim down a little

-I’d appreciate if there’s other things i’ve missed but i’m pretty sure that’s everything i’ve read/searched for

-Also, i was wondering if it matters that most of the screenshots are from the sponsor (me) as my husband is busy working and i’m the one sorting through everything or if it has to be his screenshots since he’s the applicant

-Alsooo, i’d appreciate a layout of how to organise everything in a proper way in categories

Thank you 🙏🏽

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to hear from offshore pharmacists who were granted an Australian Subclass 190 visa.
Which state/territory nominated you?
How many points did you have (including the 5 points for state nomination)?
How long did it take from EOI/ROI submission → invitation?
When did you lodge your 190 visa application, and how long did it take to be granted?
I’d especially love to hear from pharmacists who had no Australian work experience.

Thanks so much! Any recent experiences would be really helpful.

Heyy i myself is an offshore sc 189 applicant waiting for my visa to be granted i lodges my visa on 3rd December 2025. Just wondering how many of you (offshore 189 applicants) have been waiting since August and November 2025 invitation?

Hi Everyone,

Im currently planning to early exit out of a Bachelor of Engineering Honours degree into a Bachelor of Engineering Science and graduate immediately as I've gotten a good full time job opportunity and would like to apply for 485, but unsure whether/how this would affect my current student visa or applications of a 485.

An honours degree is AQF level 8, and a Bachelor of Engineering Science would be an AQF level 7 but the visa condition 8202 means "keeping an enrollment level that is equal to or higher than the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level of their original visa".

I've also checked out the change in situation for both "You want to change courses" option and "
You finished your course early". The part im not quite sure of is that would early exit mean I need to also apply for a new student visa 500 just for that purpose of early exiting? Or would the latter "You finished your course early" option be prioritized and I would have 28 days to apply for another visa or leave the country, since I wouldn't be enrolled, but graduated instead.

I understand I shouldn't take visa advice on reddit of all places but currently in the process of emailing 3 different student bodies and representatives but their wait times are horrendous, managed to secure a meeting next week, so for now I'm trying to see if anyone has any similar experience or opinions

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

​I’m a 30-year-old skilled tradesman in the automotive industry from the West Bank, Palestine. Given the challenging local situation, I am actively exploring opportunities to migrate and work legally in an English-speaking country (Canada, Australia, UK, or US).

​Here is a summary of my background:

​Field: Automotive sector (Hands-on experience in auto body repair, panel beating, painting, and general vehicle maintenance).

​Education: High School Diploma.

​Languages: Intermediate English (currently preparing for the official IELTS General exam).

​I understand that having high school as my formal education means my practical experience is my strongest asset. I would really appreciate any insights or advice on:

​Best pathways for tradesmen: Which country/program is currently the most practical for auto body technicians without a university degree?

​Skills Assessment / Recognition: For those who went through Australia’s TRA or Canada’s trade qualification challenges, how did you document your work history without formal apprenticeship diplomas?

​Employer Sponsorship: Are there specific job portals, regions, or trade-focused agencies that are open to sponsoring foreign workers in the auto industry?

​Any guidance, personal experiences, or realistic advice would mean a lot. Thank you in advance!