adele244 Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 I am getting so excited about our 3 week holiday to Oz, that I am forgetting that the fundamental reason for our visit, is to validate our Visa's!!! I really don't know what to do at the airport? Do we go to the immigration section, or do we do as a normal holiday and it automatically registers? Never done this before (Obviously!) so I'm not sure at all. I have printed off the visa grants, so have the paperwork - do I need anything else? Anyone who has done this before - your advice would be much appreciated. Many thanks Adele x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooba Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Everything is as normal. We did a validation trip earlier this year and my spouse was shocked at how matter of fact our arrival was. We went through a human immigration line rather than electronic because she's from an ineligible country. The officer was very friendly and giving advice on places to live. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 You just queue up with the tourists, get stamped in and the system automatically registers your visa as validated. Normally the border guard will not say anything special - which is disappointing as you tend to feel that something so momentous in your life should warrant a brass band and streamers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsan Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Yep - it was all a bit of an anti climax. I wanted a band and streamers, all we got was a "passport please" and then a "thanks, next!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adele244 Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 Nooooo Way! No fanfare?? No brass band?? Queing up with "everyday" tourists??? Crikey, thought I would be in a "special queue"!!! Never mind, thanks for that, at least there is no other stress. Thanks again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Haha, I felt quite sad I didn't get a 'welcome!' or any sort of fanfare as others have mentioned. But nevermind :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sustain Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Haha, I felt quite sad I didn't get a 'welcome!' or any sort of fanfare as others have mentioned. But nevermind :cool: Ask them about the rugby Tell them its a relief now your in Australia you don't have to try as hard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TartanGary Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 We are just back from our 3 week reccie and activated our visa in the process.When we went through Border Control the officer asked us if we were returning home:wink: That pretty much confirmed our visas were then activated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serendipity Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Hey there. We validated in Feb this year. Our trip went something like this: Taxi got stuck in serious traffic on way to airport, daughter got car sick in taxi and threw up - I grabbed her coat (nearest thing to hand) and she was very very sick into it. Taxi driver gave us a carrier bag so all got shoved into that! So, arrived at Manchester Airport with NINE yes 9 minutes till check in desk closed!!And a six year old covered in sick. For some reason our visa's weren't apparent on the UK system when we check in, so a supervisor was called over and had to call Australian Immigration to check this, whilst I opened suitcases and changed sicky six year old at the check in desk!! With two minutes to spare till desk closed, our luggage went through (sicky coat was shoved into hand luggage - YUCK!!). Once we arrived in Sydney it was a breeze. Polite and straightforward and the guy at passport control confirmed that we had validated the visa's. We look back and laugh now but don't want to repeat that journey to Manchester airport again!! I even went through 'something to declare' channel as I was paranoid about the dogs sniffing around the sicky bag!! Best regards, enjoy your experiences xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyB Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Hi there! As the visa is electronically attached to your passport it is checked and validated automatically when the passport is scanned. My experience was this; after arriving at Melbourne airport I approached the long line for immigration. To my left though were those automatic gates that can be used if you have a biometric passport. Knowing that may passport had a chip in it, and totally forgetting that I really needed conformation that my spousal visa was indeed valid by an official, I scanned my passport, the machine took a picture and the gates opened with the display message 'Welcome to Australia'. I followed the signs to baggage reclaim, where my bags were already there and then onwards to boarder control. I gave my card that I filled out on the plane stating that I didn't have any Marmite on me, and was directed to a lane that ended with an opaque glass panel which moved aside as I approached and straight in to the arms of my wife and kids who had been in Australia for a few months previously. Very impressed. It was only in the car to my new home that I suddenly thought ' oh hang on'! Anyway, a nice Scottish lady did confirm that my visa was valid when getting my Medicare card a few weeks later. Hope this helps and enjoy. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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