Visa journeys

189 invitation just landed after 19 months — what to expect next?

Submitted EOI October 2024 with 90 points (NSW), got the invitation this morning. Feeling shaky and relieved at the same time. For anyone who has lodged the visa application after invitation — how long did the document upload take you? I have everything except the meds and police checks from my home country (about 3 weeks away). Should I lodge first and upload them later, or wait until the file is complete? Also — anyone delayed PR by a few weeks because they wanted to time it with a job offer? I have an interview Thursday and not sure how that interacts with everything.

Anonymous Hopeful Wombat · 3 replies · 0 reactions

Spouse 309 nominated by my Aussie partner — anyone done it without a migration agent?

My partner is Australian, we've been together 3.5 years and married for 18 months. Have a joint lease, joint bank account, family photos, the lot. Quotes from agents are coming back at $4,500 to $6,500. Has anyone here DIY'd the 309/100 successfully? I'm capable of forms but the relationship evidence section is making me anxious — there's no clear "this is enough" line. Just wondering what the actual risk is if I do it myself. Worst case I assume is RFI rather than refusal?

Anonymous Patient Kookaburra · 3 replies · 0 reactions

485 graduate visa expiring in 4 months — TR or skilled pathway?

I finished my Masters in IT at UTS last year, on a 485 that expires September. Currently working as a junior developer in Sydney CBD on $72k. My points right now: age 30 (30), English PTE 79+ (20), Masters in Australia (15), 2 years study (5), 485 work experience (5) = 75. Not enough for 189 obviously. Options I'm weighing: (1) try for a 482 sponsorship (employer keen but slow), (2) NSW 190 nomination, (3) regional 491 to add 15 points. Anyone been in this spot?

Anonymous Anxious Quokka · 3 replies · 0 reactions