Devastated and dont know what to do next.

[BowBelle]

With the immigration order of processing changing on the 23rd of September we are now category 5 (out of 7 categories) and possibly will not be processed until 2012.

We were just weeks away from getting our 176 State Sponsored Visa - had our State sponsorship approved and at the beginning of September we completed our Medicals and Police checks which were submitted to the immigration department.

It makes no sense. Why did they just not push us through rather than close our file and have to re-open it in three years time?

I have written several times to our case officer but they have stopped responding.

Has anyone got any advice to offer us? Does anyone know if there are likely to be any more changes brought in the the near future? We need to get on with our life but everything is now so uncertain.

I wish someone could help.

[Robert K Chelliah]

Has anyone got any advice to offer us? Does anyone know if there are likely to be any more changes brought in the the near future? We need to get on with our life but everything is now so uncertain. I wish someone could help.

The social engineers projecting the population growth and skills migration have screwed many a lives. Many of my clients are also affected. I now have to carry their files for three years and my clients are messed up for the same peiod.

I am going into a kind of "recruitment" service to help my clients to match with suitable employers for sponsorship under 457 to wait it out. I am happy to include your skills data base, no obligations on your part and no promises from me, and if a suitable employer can be matched up for your skills under 457 in the first instance.

Robert K Chelliah

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Hi Bowbelle

So many people have been adversely affected by these changes. I agree with you that it makes little sense to have excluded those whose medicals etc had been completed - the overall numbers of those like yourself who had completed meds would not have been huge - they could have been expedited and gotten out of the way.

In my view the situation could be much worse if the Minister had decided to change the pass marks for the general skilled migration programme. He has the power to do this and it has been done in the past. I am sure this possibility was considered and decided against - many people would have failed to meet the new pass mark and then sat in a 'pool' for two years until their applications were refused.

At least this way applicants have not had their applications refused - they have just been put on 'hold'. Which is cold comfort for you I know but I am trying to show that the present situation could have been even 'bleaker'.

Perhaps while waiting it out, you may be interested in looking at being sponsored by an Australian employer like Robert points out?

The Minister has had no qualms in letting everyone know that he is a firm believer in the skilled migration programme being driven by 'employers'. As the economy starts picking up and Australian businesses realise they are having difficulty 'cherrypicking' migrants looking for work as they have done in the past, they will realise they need to offer sponsorship under the 457 and ENS schemes.

The Minister will stand firm on the changes he has made and has indicated large support for businesses going the sponsored employee route. So if you are keen to move to Australia sooner rather than later perhaps consider Robert's offer and put your name down on his database. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

[Glenn Pereira]

Interesting Senate hearing today. still on

the Minister and his Department covered, student issues, on-shore and off-shore GSM, 457 etc

Regards
Glenn Pereira

[BowBelle]

Thanks for the resonses guys.

Are we going to have to pay again to have our medicals done in 2-3 years time? Should we withdraw our application - we are so upset I am not sure whether we want to go to Aus now or not and cannot put our lives on hold for 3 years. But I have heard we may not get our application fee back if we do withdraw. is this true?? The government cant just rob us of this money can they?

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Hi Bowbelle

I know what a terrible time you and your family are currently going through so I wish I had more positive news.

If a decision is not made within 12 months of the date of your medicals it is likely you will need to redo them I am so sorry to say. DIAC is able to extend that period of 12 months in very select circumstances but they do not often exercise this discretion.

Regarding withdrawing your application, from what I can understand at the moment DIAC's position is that they will not offer a refund of the application fee for any applications which have undergone any stage of processing. This stance may change as public and other pressure is brought to bear on them but I would not count on it.

Don't withdraw your application unless you make a final decision to never come to Australia. If/when your visa is finally processed you can make a decision at that time whether to outlay more money for medicals etc or whether to tell the immigration department to take a hike!! Who knows how you'll feel or what situation you will be in 2-3 years from now!

Cheers
Sheelagh