So, you Got Visa. Now what?

Congratulations Mate!

Now you are on cloud 9 for your Australian Visa grant and with little golden mail sitting in your mail-box. But, don't just be too elated to miss out some important points that you still have to take care of; Yes, there are some!

• Grant Mail - things you will see:
• Single mail would come with subject like: <File Number> -<TRN Number> - <Full Name> - IMMI Grant Notification; from the Team e-mail ID to which your case was assigned. It would have single attachment having details of all applicants grant details; also check if any Visa conditions are mentioned, sometimes there are some conditions like: 8515 condition that secondary applicant must not marry before entering Australia - which basically means spouse (secondary applicant) can not "re-marry" before first entry to Australia, as marriage was the reason s/he is getting Visa.
• Status in eVisa site would become finalized. Against each applicant name, 'Download grant letter' link would be visible.
• After some days of Grant - you would receive a mail from Skill select saying 'Your SkillSelect EOI has been removed' - in one of the reasons mentioned in mail itself - it says 'you have been granted a Visa'
• Check your Visa status online on VEVO system. On this you just need to fill in your details and it will tell your Visa status.
• Validating Visa

• Yes, you have got your Visa. But, it needs validation. 
• How to do that? - Quite simple: Enter Australia before the 'first entry date' mentioned in grant letter that you have got. This visit can be as small as a minute; and will be enough to activate PR.
• At immigration check point they take your passport and then give it back to you, when they do - please verify that they have stamped it.
• How first entry date is calculated is given on eVisa page.
• Getting Australia Visa Label on passport
• Visa Label is not mandatory now - the same would also be mentioned on your grant letter; hope you did not overlook it.
• Now - it's eVisa which has replaced physical label on passport.
• eVisa - As mentioned above also, Australia has introduced EVO; where in any one can check visa status on ones passport. This will show status/type of Visa if there's any.
• Only issue might be that at some airports it might create delay or hindrance where they are still not much aware about this. So before flying - check with the flight that no-label fly would not be a problem.
• None of the organizations in Australia like Medicare, CenterLink and Bank ask for Visa Label - at max grant letter would suffice the need!
• If there's a problem expected or if you want to have visa labeled anyhow, then you would have to spend 70$ for that. Yes, they have increased the fees to motivate use of EVO. Check online to see where you can have the label - for example for Indian stamping this link can be used to gain more information. 
• Information about PR Visa 
• 189: Skilled Independent Visa - This is Permanent Resident Visa that is valid for 5 years and you can live and work in any part of Australia. 
• 190: Skilled Nominated Visa - This is Permanent Nominated Resident Visa that is valid for 5 years, but you are under moral binding of the state that sponsor's you that you have to live and work in that particular state of Australia. 
• 189 and 190: After this 5 year duration; you can either keep on living in Australia - as this Visa will allow you to continue to live in Oz even after 5 years - but you can not re-enter after this duration using this Visa. To do that you will be required to apply for RRV (Resident Returning Visa) or Citizenship depending on your choice and also on criteria given by DIAC. 
• Beware of Scams
• This one is specifically focused on visa holders PR or otherwise from India: 
• You will receive a call from a 'Rachel Morgan' who will tell you that you have not completed a CIS enrollment which is supposed to be done at Australian High Commission in India. She will say that she is calling from Customs House Canberra and that she is with Customs and Border Protection. She will give you details of the customs board line and even provide you with a case ID. the board line exists but the case id is fictitious. She will say that she can send an officer to do the enrollment for you and that you should keep your passport and a proof of payment of charges for the enrollment with you. She will tell you that the enrollment charges will be 850 dollars of which 460 will be refunded when the officer meets you for filling the enrollment form. She will also tell you the payment needs to be made through the post office to the Australian High Commission. The details of how payment needs to be made will become vague if you press for details. All of these however is a scam.
• Name of calling person can change - one more instance was with name: John Thomsan.
• If you get any such call - confirm the same from Customs Watch on 1800 06 1800.

I will be adding more here.

Post a comment below stating how did you like information here; also feel free to post any question or suggestion on any more information you want to be posted.

Go back to Medical Page

Next: Life after PR