Hi, I have applied for an 856 visa and currrently waiting for a decision. But, due to the current economic situation, my company decided to make my position redundant. Is it possible to convert my application to 175 for free? Or, will it be treated as a new application? I still have 120 points as long as I submit my application before my birthday.

I know that people have converted 175's to ENS visas and received refunds on the 175 or had the fee carried across, but I've not heard of it happening the other way round?! Fingers crossed someone more knowledgeable than me will jump on and advise, in the meantime, good luck! I hope it all works out.

Hey Jen did you get a refund on your 175?

Yuppers, all thanks to George Lombard, if it wasn't for him I'd never have even thought it possible, or tried for that matter! GOOD OLD GL! (PS I DONT MEAN OLD AS IN OLD!) LOL

any idea from the friendly migration agents

Monster, like Jen, I have never come across a case where somebody changed from ENS to 175 before.

However I understand the reason it is possible to use a 175 fee for a new ENS app is because the visas are in the same class. As such, I would expect that must be possible the other way around too.

To be honest, I also think it is a bit off for the employer to let you pay the visa fee and then change their mind. Have you spoken to them about it?

ENS and 175 are in different visa classes.

JAJ - I have read many times on here (including posts from agents) that it is possible to reallocate a fee from the 175 to an ENS visa because they are in the same visa class. Now you say this is not true?? What class are they both in then, for my understanding, I don't want to mislead in the future,

You make a statement above: "it is possible to reallocate a fee from the 175 to an ENS visa because they are in the same visa class."

The correct, factual statement is: "It is possible to reallocate a fee from the 175 to an offshore ENS visa."

Compare and contrast, etc.

The 175 visa is part of visa class VE. Offshore ENS (121) is in visa class AN, and onshore ENS (856) in BW.

Regulations for class AN (extract):

"Visa application charge:
(a) First instalment (payable at the time application is made):
...

(ii) In the case of an applicant:
(A) who has made a valid application for a Skilled (Migrant) (Class VE) visa; and
(B) in relation to whom a decision to grant or refuse to grant a Subclass 175 (Skilled — Independent) or a Subclass 176 (Skilled — Sponsored) visa has not been made: Nil"

Thanks for clarifying, answers OP question too.

If it's not possible, I will ask my employer to reimbuse the visa fee. My next question is do I have to re-submit the required documents? Or, I can just wait for them to request for new medicals and maybe PCC. By the way, I applied for ENS 856.

You have to resubmit everything.

By the way, are you aware you don't get a bridging visa from a 175 application so what is your plan to stay onshore in the short term? Are you on a bridging visa now, or still a 457?

Yes, I'm aware. I'm currently on a bridging visa. Cheers!