So, I have a Case Officer for a few weeks and last week the documents status changed to 'Met' except for the medicals, which we have submitted. Wonder if I need to upload the medicals at all, or are they just going through routine verification before classifying the medicals as 'met'

Have submitted all police clearances but they are about 9 months old. Have not left Australia since except for a 2 day trip to NZ (first visit). Wonder if they would ask for a repeat police clearance.

Currently working in Brisbane on 457...was told that they would not interrupt work and grant visa straightaway without asking to leave the country. Any experiences wit this?

A 176 visa is an offshore visa and must be granted offshore. You will get a pre grant letter asking for your travel plans (to leave the country) during which time you can take your passport to the Australian High Commission in that country to have the visa put in.

I understand that... colleagues who have applied for the 176 have been granted the visa without having to leave the country. Hence the question.

In the nearly 4 years I've been on here and the year I lurked before joining I've never seen an offshore visa be granted onshore.

I can confirm that this has happened.

And to more than 1 colleague...

Hmm...interesting, as I am also on the same boat as yours..

What Dorothy is saying is what I also have understood so far. However, your experience brings in a twist in the story, for good of course .

Are you sure your friend had 176? Is there a possibility tht he/she had state sponsored PR alright, but not the offshore (176) one? Would be really great if you can confirm. Thanks

Yes they have got 176 offshore visas, which were granted onshore since they were in ongoing employment.

I see. Sounds great.

When did you apply? Did you apply for 175 and then later converted to 176, or did you apply for 176 straight away?

I have applied for 175 in august, and recently got SS from NSW. Jus wondering when will my turn come.

I applied for 175 in June and got SS early August, case officer from around 27 August. Hopefully not long now...

Sounds good. Thanks mate. Good luck!

And pls let us know if you get the visa stamped on-shore.

Cheers..

Really Surprising.....One of my friend is working with me in Brisbane on 457 visa.He got his 175 2 weeks ago and he was told to leave Aus(by agent).he went to NZ and stamped it there. so he is still enjoying there and i couldn’t collect exact details...

Any how...I want to ask a question here as it is lingering in my mind for a while now...On what basis(exact criteria) it is determined we are eligible for Pregrant letter or grant letter? whether they look we are on 457 or the address we are staying? I'm asking it because i have heard from many people that we shud not be in Aus while decision is made? so what if a decision is made when we are in Aus? whether sending grant letter is meant to be decision is made and sending pregrant letter mean decision is about to be made?

Sorry guys for my ignorance and bumping a new question in this thread but just wanted to know how exactly it differs in grant and pre grant letter...

Cheers.....

I would like to know it too.

Another thing I would like to know (have asked couple of times in other threads but havent received any definitive answer) is if we receive the grant/pre-grant letter, does tht automatically invalidate our 457 immediately? If it does, then probably we need to get PR stamped (even if tht means flying out of the country) within next 28 days, as we cant stay in Oz beyond tht time limit after 457 becomes invalid

I believe your 457 would be invalid from the time of first entry following grant, or stamp in ur passport

Looks interesting...shall appreciate if you keep sharing your experiences here for others benefit...