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ETA while 309 is processing

3K views 11 replies 5 participants last post by  rper88 
#1 ·
Hey everyone!

I know this has been addressed on the forum a few times, however, I just want to get some clarification on a few things.

I'm currently waiting on approval for a 309 visa that was lodged on August 24th, so I'm a couple weeks shy of my 5 month mark. My partner and I have a family event to be present for in Australia in mid-February, so we've started to come around to the idea of going back to Australia with or without my 309 visa. Since I am a holder of an ETA eligible passport, we would enter Australia on the ETA, then head offshore once we get word that the 309 has been granted. From what I've read, I believe Kttykat is currently doing the same thing. Just a few things I wanted to clear up:

(1) Should I give DIAC a heads up about my travel plans so they can note them on the application? Even though I haven't been notified that I have a case officer assigned to my 309 yet, I called about a month ago inquiring about my application and I was informed that I did have a case officer. They could not provide any further specific details about the case officer I was assigned. Will this information be passed back to my case officer?

(2) Once I do receive approval of the 309 while I am within Australia, do I have to spend a minimum amount of time offshore? Could I essentially fly to Bali and catch the next return flight back?

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
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#2 ·
Hi Sean -

Yes, you HAVE to let DIAC know you are applying for an ETA. You don't have to be offshore AFTER it's granted, but rather BEFORE it's granted, so that's why it's so critical. You need your case officer to be able to say to you "Hey, we intend to grant this in the next week, so you need to be offshore." Then, yes, you could fly anywhere, NZ or Bali or wherever else outside of Australia you want to go, UNTIL they grant the visa. Once your visa is granted, you can travel back in on your new partner visa. At least, that is my understanding. :)
 
#9 ·
Hmmm... I just looked that up and it's reasonably close to Sydney. Maybe our cats need a playdate when I get over there. ;) Hahahaha.
 
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#10 ·
Hi all

I am in the same situation as this. I plan to go Australia around the 7 month mark of waiting for my 309 visa as my partners UK working holiday visa expires then. I plan to apply for an ETA (and tell my CO) however I wondered if I would have any issues at the border, for example how do I prove I am a genuine tourist when I am going to be waiting out the remainder of my processing time there? Is there any paperwork/documents I should take to help my case?
I will only be buying a one way ticket so I hope this won't cause me a problem!

Many thanks in advance.

RP
 
#11 ·
Hi all

I am in the same situation as this. I plan to go Australia around the 7 month mark of waiting for my 309 visa as my partners UK working holiday visa expires then. I plan to apply for an ETA (and tell my CO) however I wondered if I would have any issues at the border, for example how do I prove I am a genuine tourist when I am going to be waiting out the remainder of my processing time there? Is there any paperwork/documents I should take to help my case? I took a little paperwork just in case, they never stopped me at the border. I had planned to tell them the truth. As it was immigration that had advised me to use an ETA.
I will only be buying a one way ticket so I hope this won't cause me a problem! The only problem I had with a one way ticket was the travel insurance. They would sell it to you, but it was next to useless, as it only covered your flight into Australia, not your open ended stay there.

Many thanks in advance.

RP
Good luck,
Kttykat
 
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