We are thinking about moving - help us decide please!!

[jazza]

Hi , can someone please help!! Been told that we are eligible to move to Oz, don't know where yet - but don't know really know how to get started. Thinking about sometime within the next two years but don't know how long the whole process takes or what we need to start it all off!! Internet is full of places offering to help but how trustworthy are they??? Be grateful for any advice, Jazza x

[Lynandsean]

Hi Jazza and welcome to PiO
My personal advice would be to contact a migration agent, preferably one of those that are recommended by other people on here - Visa Bureau, Go matilda are 2 that often come up and we used Ian Harrop & Assoc, check out www.ianharrop.co.uk

A free assessment is generally offered on what visa would be suitable and what is required is meet that. If you case seems straightforward then you can do the whole thing yourself which quite a few on here have done. You'll get plenty of help and guidance from everyone! However if you're not that confident then a good agent is the way to go, it will cost you for the agents fees - ours were approx £1600 incl VAT and with or without an agent you wll have all the skills assessment, visa, medical, police check and sundry fees. As a guide our total fees were approx £3500 (cant remember for sure now) for 3 of us however with the recent changes it is likely to be more.

The whole process for us was only 7 months however they are now taking a whole lot longer so if you are thinking of around 2 years time, now would be the perfect time to get things under way as once your visa is granted (assuming you go on a 175 general skilled visa) you will have 12 months from the date of your police checks or health checks (whichever was done first) to validate your visa - that is visit the country for the first time after your visa is granted, you need only go through passport control and out again if you wanted or you could just go for good! You then have 5 years from the date the visa is granted to make the big move.

Wishing you lots of luck and ask away with any questions you think of!
Lyn x

[Gollywobbler]

Originally Posted by jazza

Hi , can someone please help!! Been told that we are eligible to move to Oz, don't know where yet - but don't know really know how to get started. Thinking about sometime within the next two years but don't know how long the whole process takes or what we need to start it all off!! Internet is full of places offering to help but how trustworthy are they??? Be grateful for any advice, Jazza x

Hi Jazza

Welcome to Poms in Oz.

I would add to Lyn's advice (which is excellent) by suggesting that you study the DIAC website in detail as well. It is here:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Cheers

Gill

[Lynandsean]

Originally Posted by Gollywobbler

Hi Jazza

Welcome to Poms in Oz.

I would add to Lyn's advice (which is excellent) by suggesting that you study the DIAC website in detail as well. It is here:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Cheers

Gill

Cheers Gill, after 700 odd posts I'm finally getting the hang of things lol!
Lyn x

[jazza]

Many many thanks for your advice. Much appreciated Jazza x

[jazza]

Thanks, can I ask just one more question. What if I engaged the services of a migration agency, paid the money and was then refused a visa? What is the likliehood of that happening? I'm a bit stuck because I'm due to qualify next summer where presumably my job will be a better prospect than at the moment. Do you think they take that into account or would I need to be qualified do you think? Jazza x

[BRAMBLE]

Hi Jazza, What Will You Qualify As?

It Would Be A Good Idea To Look At The Points Test On The Dima Web Site To Make Sure You Are Eligable. If You Fit The Criteria On Their Web Site Yout Not Likely To Be Refused.

I Am Going On A 136 Skilled Independent Visa And Have Not Used An Agent. Hence I Have Saved A Few Quid And It Wasn't That Hard. If You Use An Agent You Still Have To Do All Of The Leg Work Yourself. They Just Tell You Waht To Do And How To Do It. It Can Be A Bit Daunting A T First But With A Bit Of Study It Isn't That Hard. I'm Sure You'll Get Plenty Of Help On This Web Site. We Went On Holiday First For A Month And I'm We Did Because It's One Hell Of A Culture Shock. We Did Lots Of Research Whilst Out There. We Looked At The South And North Suburbs Of Western Aus. I Think For Me Personally I Would Have Ended Up Wanting To Come Home If I Hadn't Visited First. I Came Home After The Holiday And Had A Good Long Think. I Didn't Fall In Love With The Country. At Least Now I Am Not Going Out There With Rose Tinted Glasses On And I Have An Insight Into The Good And The Bad Side Of Australia And It Does Have It's Down Side.

I Love This Country And It's Beautiful Countryside. I Love My House, My Job And My Life But My Son's Health Was Abundantly Better In Oz. As Much As I Love This Counrty I Don't Love The Rainy,unpredictable ,depressing Summers And The Long Dark Cold Depressing Winters. I Know I Will Miss Lots About This Country And Think I Will Need A Good 2-3 Yrs To Adjust.. Anyway I'm Rambling Now.

Good Luck To You!

[jazza]

Thanks bramble - I will be a fully fledged social worker next July. I agree that I would prefer to visit Oz first because how can you make a decision like that without knowing what it's like - but my problems is cash! Being a student means I'm broke and hubbie's money keep up surviving, barely!! We have two kids, one who is 10 so I think that is what is making me nervous, her age! I don't want her education thrwarted because of a decision we made! Ideally, I would like to apply next year, with a view to moving out there as soon as the visa comes through but I am worried that won't be for another 3 years! Chloe will be 13 then and it will possibly be harder for her to fit in?????

[BRAMBLE]

Hi Again, If You Are Going To Oz As You As The Main Applicant I Think You Have To Have A Specified Amount Of Time "works Experience" In Your Qualified Status. 20 Hours A Week For 12 Out Of 18 Months Prior To Your App;ication. That Is The Rule For The 136 Skilled Independent Visa. I Don't Know What The Rules Would Be For Other Classes Of Visa Or For Sponsorship. A Tough Choice And Lots For You To Thinkabout. Why Do You Want To Leave The Uk?

[jasonjjking@hotmail.co.uk]

Hi, just been reading the comments and I also think you have to have a certain amount of post reg experience, not sure how much, but that does sound familiar.
Good luck.