SteveandGina

Hi
Definitely don't scrap anything yet, as its possible we may get better news than we're expecting. Steve sent off IELTS booking forms + £100 yesterday as earliest date he could find was mid January and sounds like Geelong and others on this thread have done the same - Lots of study needed by the sound of it though.

Lets hope we hear something soon because theres lots of big decisions for everyone to make. Our house is on the market but luckily didn't find buyer yet. Are house prices going to drop ? Do we sell now ? What about the business ?

I'd suggest looking at the different options you have now and investigate further if necessary and I'd imagine probably best to book IELTS soon.

Dreading the thought of having to go through all this again. We thought we'd enjoy making the most of our last Christmas over here - don't know what to think now.
I can't stop checking this thread hoping for more news.
Better put the Christmas lights up now.

Gina & Steve

pomerz

Hi All

Once more all i can do is post what ive been advised upon and clarify points raised earlier in this thread with advice from our agent,

When a subclass 136 application is lodged and it transpires that the number of points that an applicant has is under the passmark (120) but over the pool mark, then the application is not refused. Instead the application sits in a “pool” for up to 2 years. During that two years, if the passmark were ever to drop, then the applicants would be eligible for a grant of the subclass 136. For example, if the passmark were to drop to 115, then the applicants sitting on that would be eligible for a grant.



So, in the case of people applying for a s/c 136 using 5 bonus investment points on the basis of meeting the 120 required will in theory be assessed at 115 and therefore placed in the pool.



Additionally, as I have mentioned previously, the subclass 136 and subclass 137 belong to the same class (Class BN) of visa applications (it is helpful to think of them as under the same umbrella). If you apply for a subclass 136 then you are automatically assessed against all other BN classes of visas i.e. the application is assessed under s/c 137 criteria too. If you can meet either of those criteria then you are able to have the visa granted. Depending on this person’s occupation then s/he could seek State sponsorship with a view to meeting the s/c 137 visa criteria. However, as this is a widespread issue, there may be an exception to allow for additional points for language as this person has indicated below.



I would also mention that if this person has used the on-line query submissions on the DIAC website, then the response provided is not necessarily from a case officer. It is likely to be from someone who works within the communications department rather than a case officer and as such, they do not have the delegated powers regarding the visa applications that the case officer has. I just make that comment due to this sentence: Can the CO deny me the right to resit the IELTS



At the moment under the s/c 136 there is no right per se for an applicant to sit IETLS to obtain 25 points. The maximum number of points that an applicant can obtain for their English Language under s/c 136 is 20. The availability of 25 points has only been for applications post September 2007. I agree with you and the post below that sitting the IETLS to obtain the additional 5 points makes sense as being the simplest and fairest way of sorting out the problem (for native English speakers) but it does require a change in the regulations, which to be honest, even case officers don’t have the authority to do.



I hope that makes sense.


We are so close from walking away with all faith lost in what was to be our new home for the rest of our days

Keep Smiling Matt n Rach

geelong

pomerz,
Don't give up faith. A week or so ago the news from your agent was that there was no processing of applications for those looking to invest in the bonds for the 5 points, if I remember your post correctly.

Fortunately that is not the case because we got our acknowledgement today, asked to send off medicals and police checks and have been advised to expect a case officer in due course.

I don't think anyone knows yet how this situation will be resolved.

We have been feeling pretty down with this situation too. At least today has got us smiling again.

Brisbound

Hi geelong

I agree with you.

The fact that DIAC did not suspend the processing of the applications can be seen as a positive sign. Certainly, the bond problem is on their table, and nobody knows how they will fix it. Any suggestions by anybody outside the circle of the decision makers at DIAC equate to pure speculations.

@Pomerz

Relax mate and enjoy your weekend, I hope we will hear some good news in the near future. As I have stated above, nobody knows the exact situation at DIAC.

Best regards
Brisbound

Gazzap

This is just horrendous!
We have been feeling terrible that this has happened. It has already spoiled Christmas in many respects

I admit not knowing the full facts on what caused this, but (in the grand scheme of things), it doesn't seem 'that' massive a scam that caused this, were the treasuries looking for an excuse to pull out, I wonder?
Also I am surprised that it has been suggested that the treasury and DIAC are totally unconnected in how they will remedy this- surely there was some sort of a collusion when the bond lodgement scheme was setup? So one would hope DIAC won't just walk away from those of us effected by the acts of a relative few, in a one-off scam.

In my case I don't think re-applying is going to be an option, because I will soon be too old and , we pretty much only just scraped through by the old rules, which have slightly altered, not in our favour, since Sept.

We are now trying to come to terms with letting our dream go, and how to tell the kids....
Gaz

dejags

Dont give up your dream Gaz! Not sure what to suggest but as somebody put it (earlier in this thread) - there are many, many ways to skin the immigration cat!

Stay positive that DIAC will make provision. Australia is a first world country with first world rules. It aint over until the fat aussie DIAC official sings

Gazzap

Thanks Dejags, it won't be easy to give up, we've been trying since 1994!
Gaz

SteveandGina

Hi everybody.

We too think that geelongs acknowledgement today is a positive sign that DIAC might be thinking of options for all of us in this unfortunate situation.

We just want some news, anything before Christmas, even if it is just to let us know they are trying thier best to find a solution, just to give us some hope.

Steve and Gina.

pomerz

Thanks Geelong and Brisbound, your support is welcomed.

We will try and hope for some news soon, after all its only been 10 days since we were told, so your news has a little hope for all who knows hey

On the down side Gaz we also were uncomfortable this evening telling our 10 year old that we perhaps wont be returning to Adelaide after all and that we would like him to see some properties in Cornwall which is a sorry looking plan B....It wasnt easy and went down like the Titanic

The trouble is i am a planner i always have been and limboland isnt an option i need that goal or end game and this is driving me mentol.

Thanks tho guys and i hope the rest here in the same mess are coping better than us.
Have a good weekend, we are off to an office Christmas freebie so shouldnt remember too much until monday!

Matt n Rach

kamal

HI friends,

This is kamal, I am also in the same situation like u guyz and am living in sydney. I went to the DIAC office in sydney yesterday to find out about this.

They told me that they haven't decided anything about this capital investment freeze and they are still thinking about the other options. They told me that they are going to contact clients in near future and ask them whether they want to continue in this same option(capital investment).

We need not to worry because they are thousands of people here in the same condition.

Let's hope we get some good news from DIAC.

Regards,
Kamal

SteveandGina

Thanks for this info and re-assurance Kamal. Lets hope a bit of good news is on its way soon.

Kind Regards
Gina & Steve

Brisbound

Thank you Kamal for the information.

Best regards
Brisbound

naveenbabuk

Hi All,

What happens if IELTS says they don't want to conduct exam's any more. Is DIMIA is going to stop immigrating people? I think they should show a way.

Cheers
Naveen

AHamm

To take the question literrally, there are other systems in place apart from IELTS. They'd probably just switch to the OET or similar (which is already acceptable in lieu). But yes, I see your point.

George Lombard

Hi Geelong,

Yes, still processing in the sense of issuing acknowledgements etc but they may be holding back such applications from decision pending some solution.

Cheers,

George Lombard