[laurenk]

Hi all,

I applied for my 461 visa 14 months ago.

My 457 visa expires tomorrow and i go onto the bridging visa until the decision is made on my 461.

Just wanted to start a thread to see how long people who applied from Sydney, or Australia have waited so far, and hear of any success/failure stories.

Thanks!

 

[Vinny85283]

Waiting since July 2017, no contact other than receipt of bridging visa

 

[Canuck707]

I applied for a 461 via Sydney in April 2017. I applied for my 6 month work restriction to be removed, but was denied as I have too much savings. I was able to extend my work contract once for a total of 1 year at my first job, but I have recently had to switch jobs. Received a Bridging B visa to travel to a wedding, but am back on the Bridging A visa now. Will update if I hear anything.

 

[laurenk]

I applied for a 461 via Sydney in April 2017. I applied for my 6 month work restriction to be removed, but was denied as I have too much savings. I was able to extend my work contract once for a total of 1 year at my first job, but I have recently had to switch jobs. Received a Bridging B visa to travel to a wedding, but am back on the Bridging A visa now. Will update if I hear anything.

Oh really? Someone applied for their 461 in May 2017 and it was granted last week...
Were you on a visa prior to applying for the 461?

 

[Canuck707]

Oh really? Someone applied for their 461 in May 2017 and it was granted last week...
Were you on a visa prior to applying for the 461?

Yeah, I saw that. Hopefully mine will come through soon... I was on a Working Holiday visa, which expired January this year. Stuck in limbo now, unfortunately. I just had ATO try to hit me with a $7,000 tax bill but I managed to get it down to a few hundred. The tax is just another reason it sucks waiting on this visa!

 

[Bubulina]

I have applied from Australia 18 months ago and still no visa. Straight forwards case, married, kids, etc, no complication and haven't been asked to provide any additional documents. When we inquired all we were told was to wait. It will probably be 2 years before we hear anything back (

 

[Canaus]

I applied for a 461 via Sydney in April 2017. I applied for my 6 month work restriction to be removed, but was denied as I have too much savings. I was able to extend my work contract once for a total of 1 year at my first job, but I have recently had to switch jobs. Received a Bridging B visa to travel to a wedding, but am back on the Bridging A visa now. Will update if I hear anything.

Did you have a 461 visa before? I was under the impression that you'd be allowed to work while on a bridging visa.

 

[Vinny85283]

Applied for 461 'renewal' in July 2017,
received BVA which activated in March 2018

BVB received for dates June 2018 until September (2 days to process)

BVB received September 2018 for dates September 2018-December 2018 (processed within 2 hours of receipt of tracked application)

I'm not sure if the rapid bridging visa turnaround means something positive!

Hi all,

I applied for my 461 visa 14 months ago.

My 457 visa expires tomorrow and i go onto the bridging visa until the decision is made on my 461.

Just wanted to start a thread to see how long people who applied from Sydney, or Australia have waited so far, and hear of any success/failure stories.

Thanks!

 

[Canuck707]

Did you have a 461 visa before? I was under the impression that you'd be allowed to work while on a bridging visa.

I previously held a Working Holiday visa, so the restriction of working at a job for only 6 months at a time has carried over to my bridging visa.

 

[laurenk]

FFS the processing times have been updated to 75% in 19 months, 90% in 20 months.
I'm really struggling with such a long wait now, i'm stuck in a job where i'm not appreciated, a company that wouldn't sign my residency papers after sponsorship and it's so hard. When will they hurry up and get around to the visas - it's not even like they're for residency, it's a mere five year temporary wait.

 

[Vinny85283]

That's bad news.
I'm also hoping to find a new job as soon as I get this renewal. The company I'm with promised sponsorship for the permanent visa, and reneged after my requisite two years with them.
It's no way to live your life. Hoping for a change of government soon, seems to be the only way things will change for temporary residents

 

[aussiesteve]

You do realise that a 461 visa is always a temporary visa.

 

[Vinny85283]

Yes aussiesteve I know what visa I'm on.
You do realise one can change from the 461 to another visa

 

[aussiesteve]

Yes aussiesteve I know what visa I'm on.
You do realise one can change from the 461 to another visa

Yes, but it's hardly the government's fault that your company decides not to proceed with their sponsorship. I know it is not ideal, but you can continue to renew your 461 visa, until such time you can find a new sponsor for a permanent visa.

 

[Vinny85283]

The point is the long wait times that Lauren posted

 

[aussiesteve]

Everyone faces a long wait time

 

[laurenk]

Everyone faces a long wait time

That's true, we do.
I was just voicing my upset with the wait time always increasing month on month.
I felt this was a safe space to talk about such concerns and upset.
We are not blaming the gov on our companies not giving residency. The upset for me is my company would not sign my residency documents. Luckily i had the option to apply for the 461 but my mental health has been suffering extremely bad walking into an office every day for over two years where i'm not wanted. So the longer the visa wait is, the lower my mental health plummets. The wait time will be 15-18 months, then i get to the 15 month wait and BAM, it ups to 18-20. When you think you're close, you become far away again and it hurts.
So therefore, i am 'moaning' at the gov for the long wait times.
My point also was that when you look at the wait times for other visas, temporary visa wait times are usually lower that permanent visas however i feel the 461 wait time seems to be high.
I actually don't appreciate being made to feel bad for being upset that the wait time has been extended yet again. Yes everyone has to wait, but this thread is talking about OUR wait times, for the 461 visa and we are allowed to do so.

 

[laurenk]

That's bad news.
I'm also hoping to find a new job as soon as I get this renewal. The company I'm with promised sponsorship for the permanent visa, and reneged after my requisite two years with them.
It's no way to live your life. Hoping for a change of government soon, seems to be the only way things will change for temporary residents

Can you get a new job while you wait, if you're doing a 461 renewal?

 

[aussiesteve]

That's true, we do.
I was just voicing my upset with the wait time always increasing month on month.
I felt this was a safe space to talk about such concerns and upset.
We are not blaming the gov on our companies not giving residency. The upset for me is my company would not sign my residency documents. Luckily i had the option to apply for the 461 but my mental health has been suffering extremely bad walking into an office every day for over two years where i'm not wanted. So the longer the visa wait is, the lower my mental health plummets. The wait time will be 15-18 months, then i get to the 15 month wait and BAM, it ups to 18-20. When you think you're close, you become far away again and it hurts.
So therefore, i am 'moaning' at the gov for the long wait times.
My point also was that when you look at the wait times for other visas, temporary visa wait times are usually lower that permanent visas however i feel the 461 wait time seems to be high.
I actually don't appreciate being made to feel bad for being upset that the wait time has been extended yet again. Yes everyone has to wait, but this thread is talking about OUR wait times, for the 461 visa and we are allowed to do so.

I am sorry you feel that way, I had no intent on making you feel bad, I know exactly what the wait is like, I have been through it myself with my wife's visa.
Unfortunately the days of hi risk visa grants versus low risk visa grant's have long gone, and I see little chance of the situation improving. I certainly wouldn't bank on a change of government improving things , they have been quite vocal recently in criticizing temporary work visas.

 

[irelasol]

Hi all,

I applied for my 461 visa 14 months ago.

My 457 visa expires tomorrow and i go onto the bridging visa until the decision is made on my 461.

Just wanted to start a thread to see how long people who applied from Sydney, or Australia have waited so far, and hear of any success/failure stories.

Thanks!

Hi just wondered if anyone has heard back or received there visa since this thread was created? I know I'm on for a long wait its been a year already.
But I also wanted to ask how easy was it to get your bridging visa changed to return home for a wedding is it an easy enough process? Is it just a form and thats it? What length of time do they give you to stay away? As its been many years since I've been home to Northern Ireland obviously I'd like to make the most of it for at least 6 weeks given the distance.