WA sponsorship submitted yesterday - Any ideas how long this and 176 visa will take??

[sophiesindall]

Am so SO excited...... Finally got the Ielts result we needed (after two tries) and our WA sponsorship was submitted yesterday. If any one else is in a similar position an could let me know how long theirs took to come through I would be most grateful.

We are then applying for a 176 visa an only have our Medicals left to do. Have been told that we can't apply for these until we have submitted our 176 visa an have been given a reference number. Again, if anyone could give me a rough guide on long they think the 176 process will take that would be great.

We've already rented our house and now have the impossible task of deciding which of the wonderful subhurbs to choose and the rather more complicated business of finding work when we get there .

Really desperately need some sort of time guideline as living with in-laws at the moment and need to get to Oz ASAP.

Bye for now
sophie

[Paulr]

Hi Sophie,

Saw someone put it in on 29th an and had it approved on 3rd feb I think, we put ours in on 30th so hoping next week should be same for you I imagine, fingers crossed all round it's certainly only weeks and not months.
I'm guessing 176 visa is going to be around 6 months.


Paul.

[piccolo]

Guys, on the IELTS....is there a book or something you can read first to prepare for it? Also, what can I be doing now to prepare for submitting the 176 while waiting for skills assessment and IELTS???

[piccolo]

Also, I'm confused as the DIAC website says that if you have a passport from Ireland or UK you are deemed to have a competent level of English which is all that's required for a 176 so why do you have to sit the IELTS so?

[Paulr]

Hi piccolo,

Not sure but think that ILETS is requirement of ss. Certainly some professions require it- nurses do.
My wife did it, think there is useful info on ILETS website and practice stuff, think you can get some training stuff from them.
On the 176 I guess just making sure all paperwork is in order and certified etc.
What's your trade/proffesion?

Paul.

[Ozberry]

It was our state sponsorship with WA that was submitted on 29th and we got it on 3rd Feb. Really fast. Friends of ours going to Adelaide submitted their 176 just before Xmas and got their grant 3rd Feb.

You don't need to do IELTS unless:

your skills assessment for your job requires it (there are two - general and academic - different authorities require a specific one)
to get extra points on your 176/175 as your British passport only gives the minimum points so if you are short on points many people take IELTS in order to get their points up to 65.

Hope this helps!

[piccolo]

Thanks Ozberry....that makes more sense, I think OH has to do it to gain points up to 65.

Paul my OH is a fitter/machinist.