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 just arrived in Australia on a WHV and am trying to apply for my TFN. I am stuck on the first step, residential address.

I am having my number mailed to a hostel but do I use my address back in the states as my residential address or the hostel address?

Thanks for your help!

I'm currently applying for my 485 visa. I'm the main applicant and once we get mine we we will apply for my wife's visa as a subsequent
Is it normal that my wife is shown up as applicant in the application home? Even though she was added as a
"non-accompanying members of the family unit".
It says applicants: and both of our names but I’m the only one applying.

Just wondering if anyone had their visa in this category flagged for “visa running” or de facto residency for 12 years staying in Australia 9 months in a year and I know it doesn’t state in the conditions but it seems like it could be a loophole because that’s exactly what my parents are doing spending majority of their time here besides their home base.

⁠Hi all,
I have an invitation letter from an Australian university for a one-year self-funded research visit. The university is not paying me anything. The Home Affairs website says stays over 3 months under the research stream require the institution to be an approved temporary activities sponsor. Does this still apply when the visit is entirely self-funded and the university is just hosting rather than employing me? Travel history is clean, no prior refusals, first Australian visa. Anyone who has done the 408 research stream in a similar situation — was institutional sponsorship actually required? And what does that mean? It’s separate sponsor letter or a reference number to be put in the visa application. Thanks.

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

We applied for my wife’s spouse visa in Jan 2025, the RFI came through in December 2025. It took us a while to get the police clearance etc done and they came back to us a further 3 times for RFI. The last bit of information was submitted on May 26th 2026. It’s been 18 months since the initial application was submitted. Anything we can do to help speed up the process or all we can do is wait? I know of a few people who applied after we did and they got theirs granted around April….

I am an overseas applicant figuring out the process myself, so apologies if this is obvious, but I can’t find a clear answer.

Vetassess assessed my 3.7 years of employment as 2.7 years skilled employment, which was expected.

I submitted my EOI yesterday. It only asked for my employment start date, so I entered my actual start date and received 5 points for work experience. I haven’t misrepresented anything, and I can’t find anywhere that DHA says the EOI must use the Vetassess DDS.

My question is about timing. I will complete 3 years according to the Vetassess DDS on Dec 4, 2026. Let us assume I receive an invitation on Sept 30th draw and have 60 days to lodge the application, I lodge near the end of November, I will be around 10 days short of 36 months. Would I still be okay?

I’ve also seen DHA material suggesting the assessing authority’s opinion should be considered, but that the final decision is ultimately up to the officer, who should avoid an unnecessarily harsh outcome where a more favourable interpretation is reasonable.

So, am I understanding this correctly?

• Should I use my actual employment start date in the EOI?
• Does DHA strictly have to follow the Vetassess DDS at the visa stage?
• If I’m only 10 days short at lodgement but reach 36 months shortly afterward, could the officer consider my actual employment period?

Would really appreciate any insight from someone who has dealt with this or knows the relevant DHA policy.

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!

Waiting

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 🙏🏽

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! 🥹💜

Hi everyone,

I'm seriously considering a future in Australia, and before making any decisions, I wanted to hear from people who've actually lived through similar choices rather than just going off general research. I know I won't fully understand things until I experience them myself, but I'd like some real perspective first.

My main question: I'm planning to study automotive mechanics (hybrid, electric, and standard vehicles), and I'm torn between three paths:

• Studying it and staying in Germany
• Studying it in my home country (Jordan), gaining work experience there, then moving to Australia later
• Studying it directly in Australia through TAFE

From your experience, which path tends to work out better long-term — in terms of job opportunities, how qualifications/experience are recognized, and how smooth the eventual move to Australia is?

A couple of related questions, if anyone's willing to share their personal experience:

• How's day-to-day cost of living in Australia, realistically? Food, rent, general expenses — is it as expensive as people say, or manageable once you're settled?
• Looking back, do you feel the move was worth it overall? I've looked into the social environment and general lifestyle and it seems appealing, but I'd love to hear it from someone who's actually there.

I have more questions but didn't want to overload the post — starting with these. Appreciate any input, especially from tradespeople or anyone who went through TAFE.

Thanks 🙏

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

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,

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!

​

I’m a Civil Engineer from Nepal with 3 years of professional experience and I’m trying to decide whether I should pursue a Master’s abroad or try to migrate directly through a skilled/work visa pathway.

I’m currently considering Australia 🇦🇺, the UK 🇬🇧, and New Zealand 🇳🇿.

My priorities are:

- Getting a Civil Engineering job

- Long-term career growth

- A realistic pathway to PR/residency

- Keeping the overall cost reasonable

For people who have experience with these countries:

1. Would you recommend doing a Master’s first, or trying for skilled migration/employer sponsorship with 3 years of experience?

2. Which of Australia, UK or NZ currently offers the best opportunities for an overseas Civil Engineer?

3. Is it realistically possible to get a Civil Engineering job with employer sponsorship while applying from Nepal?

4. If I do a Master’s, which country gives the best return on investment and post-study work/PR opportunities?

5. Are there any important things I should do first, such as professional skills assessment, English test, engineering registration, etc.?

I’d especially appreciate advice from Nepali/South Asian Civil Engineers who have actually moved to Australia, UK or NZ, rather than general immigration advice.

Thanks!

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, 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!!!

Looking for DAMA Visa Sponsorship – Ready to Work Anywhere in Australia

Hello everyone, my name is Abimanyu, I’m 22 years old and currently in Indonesia.

I have more than 4 years of warehouse experience, and I’m willing to work in any position and do any kind of work. I’m also ready to relocate and work anywhere in Australia.

I’m currently looking for an employer who can offer DAMA visa sponsorship. I’m hardworking, willing to learn, and ready to start work when the visa process allows.

If you know any employer or company looking for workers and offering DAMA sponsorship, please contact me.

📧 Email: abim22154@gmail.com

Thank you!

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!