anyone got a 175 visa?

[Guest robertreynolds]

175 - Skilled, Independant: I think this is the one I want to go for. I surpass the points required, and am just waiting on certified copies of stuff arriving from the UK so I can get my skills assessed by the ACS ($400). Its pretty expensive to apply for this visa though ($2010) - is that the same for all of them?

 

Is that fee refundable if I dont get the visa?

 

Also, I know that the allocation limits are set for each of the financial years, do you think its beneficial to get my application in before the end of this financial year, ie, the end of this month?

 

Thanks to anyone in the know

[Guest ReadyPenny]

Hi there

 

Not sure about the timing. We have 175 and the fee is the same for everyone, we paid this amount in the UK when we submitted last year. Unfortunately, no you don't get the fee back if the visa is not granted, the charge is made for them to process it, irrespective of the result!!!

 

Good luck, with the timing end of financial year etc, not a clue, but for me personally I would get it submitted and get my place in the queue.

 

An expert may be along soon to help you further on this one.

 

Mandy

[Guest BAZnDAF]

Get your ACS assessment done first then apply as soon as you can, 175 visa's are not the type they have been proccessing quickly, so like Mandy said, get in the queue as sson as possible.

 

Good luck.

[Guest robertreynolds]

I see you did the IETLS test, is that the english language thing? Is that necessary or is it just to get extra points?

 

Also, do you feel the agency you went with did anything that you couldnt really have done yourself?

 

Im just doing this all myself, still unsure whether to go with the agency or not, but I see yours was an ACS specialist...

[Guest BAZnDAF]

I see you did the IETLS test, is that the english language thing? Is that necessary or is it just to get extra points?

 

Also, do you feel the agency you went with did anything that you couldnt really have done yourself?

 

Im just doing this all myself, still unsure whether to go with the agency or not, but I see yours was an ACS specialist...

 

Hi Robert,

 

It really depends on how straight forward your assessment is! If you have a qualification and the correct amount of experience, then its fairly straight forward, but if you have to prove that your experience without any qualifications then it can get a bit messy, it can also be hard if you have had many employers. Peter at PT labs will do just the assessment for you if you like, then you can do the visa application yourself afterwards. Its not that expensive if you use him either. Personally I would use him to do the ACS assessment, at least you will know that its done correctly, he will ask you for a list of documents you need to supply and will make sure they are worded correctly too.

 

If your unsure, check his website http://ptlabs.com.au/

 

Yep, the IELTS test is for English, I did this because I turned 40 and needed another 5 points.

 

Barry

[Guest robertreynolds]

Thanks. I get 125 points from my initial filling out of the visa application. I might do the english test to get some extra points anyway. Ive filled in the free assessment on their website, so Ill see what they come back to me with.

 

Thanks again.

[Guest robertreynolds]

The agency said I wouldnt pass the ACS skill test as I only have 2 and not the required 4 years experience working in IT. Looks like I came over here 2 years too early. Ah well.