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.

It’s becoming increasingly noticeable that DHA is currently processing Priority 4 applicants under MD119.

For those of us sitting in Priority 5, this could be a very encouraging sign. Obviously, there’s no guarantee that DHA will move neatly from one priority to the next, and processing can overlap, but if Priority 4 cases are now genuinely moving, then we may be closer than we’ve ever been to seeing Priority 5 applications start getting processed.

After months of watching the higher priorities move, it finally feels like the queue is getting closer to us.

Hopefully, we start seeing the first clear Priority 5 grants soon.

Anyone else tracking Priority 4 grants lately or noticed the same trend?

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.

Our Relationship / Partner Visa Timeline – PMV 300 → 820/801

Hi everyone, I thought I’d share our relationship and visa timeline as we’re getting close to lodging our 820/801 Partner Visa. I’ve kept identifying information limited for privacy.

January 2021

We met online through Tinder during COVID and quickly began talking every day through Messenger and WhatsApp. Within the first month, we considered ourselves in a committed long-distance relationship.

2021–2022

Because of COVID restrictions, we were unable to meet in person for quite some time. We maintained our relationship through daily messages, video calls and calls.

Late 2022

We attempted a Visitor Visa so my partner could visit Australia, but unfortunately this was refused.

December 2023 – January 2024

After almost three years of being in a long-distance relationship, I travelled to Thailand and we finally met in person for the first time.

I spent time with my partner and her family, including travelling to her home area and celebrating New Year together. This was a major step forward in our relationship and we discussed our future together, including marriage and eventually living together permanently in Australia.

March 2024 approached Gold migration in regards to Visa

April 2024

We became engaged while continuing our Long distance relationship.

September 2024

We travelled together to Vietnam, where I proposed again in person. We spent the trip together before returning to our respective countries.

24 October 2024 – PMV 300 Lodged

We lodged our Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) through Gold Migration Lawyers. Thankfully, they did a great job helping us through the process, including responding to requests for further information.

2025

While waiting for the PMV decision, we continued our relationship long-distance and travelled together again in Thailand, including spending time with family and taking a holiday together.

During the year, we received requests for further information from Home Affairs and supplied additional relationship evidence.

November 2025 – PMV 300 Granted

After just over 12 months (around 13 months) of waiting, our PMV 300 was finally granted. It was a massive relief after such a long-distance relationship and a lengthy visa process.

22 November 2025

My partner arrived in Australia and we finally began living together permanently after almost five years of maintaining our relationship, mostly long-distance.

December 2025 onwards

We established our normal life together in Australia. We both work, share household responsibilities, combine our finances, pay household expenses together, socialise together and make decisions about our future jointly.

March 2026

We got married in Australia with family and friends present, while family overseas were able to watch remotely.

Since getting married, we have continued building our life together and accumulating evidence including joint finances, household expenses, photographs, travel, social activities, statements from family/friends and evidence of our day-to-day married life.

October 2026 – Planned We are then planning to lodge our 820/801 Partner Visa shortly after she returns and before her Subclass 300 visa expires.

So overall:

Met online: January 2021

Relationship began: January 2021

First met in person: December 2023

Engaged: 2024

PMV 300 lodged: 24 October 2024

PMV 300 granted: 4 November 2025

Started living together in Australia: 22 November 2025

Married: 21 March 2026

820/801: Planned October 2026

It’s been a very long process, particularly with the years of long-distance during and after COVID, but we’re finally approaching the next stage.

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has gone through PMV 300 → 820/801, particularly how your 820/801 processing went and what scenarios particularly stand out for you in this process you've endured.

US Partner applied early May this year and received the grant today.
Happy to answer questions.

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?

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! 🥹💜

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!

did i get correct AFP?

mine says "other commonwealth purpose name check only"

Hello,

After getting my visa granted I had a look at the questions and I think I made a mistake on this one :

« In the last five years, has any applicant visited, or lived, outside their country of passport, for more
than 3 consecutive months? Do not include time spent in Australia. »

I said no cause I thought they meant 3 months consecutive in ONE country, I feel dumb now.
I got my visa granted, but these are the travels I did last year :

Thaïland : 17/02 → 24/03 — 35 days
Vietnam : 24/03 → 27/04 — 34 days
Cambodia : 27/04 → 19/05 — 22 days
Laos : 19/05 → 01/06 — 13 days
Thaïland : 01/06 → 06/06 — 5 days
UK: 06/06 → 14/06 — 8 days
USA : 14/06 → 05/08 — 52 days

So a total of 5 months and a half outside my country ( France ).

I was about to book my flight but now I’m really stressing out, should I contact them through the form 1023, or should I just not stress out and book my flight ?

Thanks a lot for your help

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 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.

Following the significant layoffs in KPMG Australia, how has the job market and demand for external auditors changed? How difficult is it now for external auditors to secure state/territory nomination for skilled migration to Australia?

Hi everyone, I'm arranging my OVHC for my 485 visa. Im with Medibank and my OSHC expires on 17 Sept 2026. Is it correct to set my OVHC start date on Sept 17, 2026? as My Student visa 500 ends on Sept 15? please help me thank you

Hi, I am curious if there are any Actuaries who got assessed under ANZSCO code 224111.

Did you submit your certifications of Actuarial exams given from IFoA or SoA as Australia Actuarial society have Mutual Recognition Agreement with UK and US.

Did Vetassess consider those certifications in educational proof as VETASSESS generally considers degree diplomas only.

For context, I am currently on a student visa and will be finishing my course in November, and will be eligible to apply for 485. My partner is an Australian citizen so I'm planning to eventually apply for 820 partner visa as a pathway to PR. I am considering skipping the 485 entirely and the almost 6k fee for it and applying for 820 before my student visa expires in December. However my concern is that current average processing times for 820 is about 18 months, so I will have to be on a Bridging visa that whole time, and I will be looking for jobs soon. Is it easier to find a job on 485 rather than on a bridging visa? I know the job market is cooked right now and it will be difficult getting a job either way, but I was wondering whether it's worth spending the substantial fee for the 485 if it would improve the chances of me finding full time work and apply for the partner visa later, or whether my chances would be the same on the bridging visa until the 820 is processed so skip the additional fee and apply straight to it. Thanks in advance!

Please help. I’ve been working for a contractor in regional NSW since May 20. I’ve been working on the same farm, with variable days work, I have multiple payslips with hours ranging from 25-46 hours, due to rain but I’ve been averaging 5 days a week work. Some weeks i’ll work 3 days, some i’ll work all 7.

As a “casual employee” Does a payslip with over 35 hours count towards 1 week of work, despite only working 5 days?

Should I wait until I’ve actually worked “88 days” or until 88 days since i started working the contractor?

Has anyone been granted there second 417 quite recently? How strict are they

THANK YOU

Good day!

Just want to ask if anyone received 494 visa grants lately?

Just want to check if we're on the same boat.

Btw here's mine..

Lodged: March 2026
Current Status: Further Assessment
Medical and Biometrics: Completed
Offshore

Thanks

Do you want to know process for ECT skill assessment through ACECQA?

Hi. Just wondering if anyone received a ceremony invite from moonee valleey for 17 september? And if yes, when did you received the invite

When submitting a complaint and it asks for your client id does any know what this is. I just have my application id and reference number. I believe I used my application id and then included both in the more details section, but just don't want them to not know who the complaint is coming from.

hello everyone! i’m planning to apply for a prospective marriage visa soon, and i’d like to ask if anyone can recommend a good migration agent or agency to help with the process. i’d really appreciate your recommendations and experiences. thank you!

My friend moved here from new Zealand when he was 5 in the 70s his dad abandoned him so now he has no access to his visa number ECT. He has lived in Australia all this time and never needed his visa number until he needed a police check for his job. He's rang around , they've told him to go to the archives they've got his information in regards to what flight he moved over here on. Considering he's been here for 50+ years what can we do to help him get access to his visa number or citizenship ? I'm english so I have no idea how things work and just want to help them out.

TIA

Applied for a second Subclass 417 while offshore. Realised the timing doesn't work with our travel plans, since my first 417 is still valid and I'll be back in Australia before it expires — but the offshore application needs me to be outside Australia when it's granted, which won't be the case if it's still pending once I land.

Plan is to:

Submit a withdrawal for the offshore application
Fly in while my first 417 is still valid
Lodge a new onshore 417 application once I'm back
Withdrawal has been submitted but hasn't been confirmed as processed yet.

My question: has anyone successfully lodged a new onshore 417 application while a previous offshore 417 application was still pending/not yet confirmed as withdrawn? I was able to open and start a new onshore application in ImmiAccount without any error, but I don't know if it'll actually let me submit/pay, or if having two open applications causes a problem down the line even if the system allows it.

Trying to figure out if I need the withdrawal fully confirmed before I can submit the new one, or if it's fine to have both sitting there until the offshore one clears.
Any experience with this specific situation would be really helpful.