sharonp53

Please understand that my reply is not designed to be rude, or nasty. You asked a question and ai want to give you an honest answer.

First thing is that Australia is currently a very different place than the country I knew back in the 80s. It is currently a very divided society and one that looks readily for scapegoats. It is not a comfortable place to be different. Hanson is a symbol of what is wrong. The government is very pro-China, which while the focus is on a different group is fine. But nothing lasts, and Hanson is a symptom of a wider discomfort in Australia and no ethnic or religious group is immune.

Having a family member who lives with Chinese-born person, I would say the real question is will you adapt to life in Australia?

The reason I ask this is based on personal observation rather than my own feelings. You see, this person told me, following a challenge in the relationship, that they hadn't been lying, just not reveling the truth, and that was their right, and culturally acceptable unless a person lies to a blood-relative.

Now, to an Australian that is is a problem. While we may choose to lie, it is with the clear understanding of the fact that it is not right. But it is also random and situation-based and not because one person is less worthy of the truth than another. This person had to learn the hard way why some Chinese people (with his attitude) find it hard to adapt.  I don't wish to suggest that all Chinese people are dishonest, just to use that as an example of different values.

I have lived in five different countries, one in Africa, three in Europe and the USA and often the values of the locals conflicted with my own. I had to learn quickly that I needed to respect the local ways, even where they conflicted with my own. That did not mean I accepted them, I just understood that I was living in their country and needed to respect their culture and rights. And, I learned that, where I behaved in a way they found unacceptable, that I needed to live with criticism and not to be too senstive.

The only other point I would make is for you to be aware that your government and businesses are not popular with many Australians due to the recent purchases of farms, resources and homes. So in some areas you may be seen as part of the reason young Australians cannot afford their own homes. Actually there are many reasons and most have to do with government decisions, but foreign investment is the easiest to focus on.

I will give you the same advice I would give any potential migrant, think carefully about your decsion. Visit Australia for an extended holiday and mix with the locals, avoid areas where Chinese people live and work and areas with high migrant populations. We are very direct, even blunt people. We do not like people that come here just for what they can get from our country. If you are a giving person, one who is willing to call this country home, particpate in the community, mix with us, live among us, apart from the odd unhappy encounter, you will be welcomed. But if you are coming here only for what you can get then please think again.

i wish you well with your decision making and if you do choose to make Australia home then I hope you will be very happy here.

As an Aussie who returned home with my British husband (who had never even visited Oz) I can say the Gold Coast is the pits! Except Burleigh as that is where my two-week old granddaughter lives with her mummy and daddy....lol. But I digress! 

Anyway, I couldn't live there for five minutes! But depending on your ability to move there are many options. My suggestion, if you really can't cope with the mozzies, move south, far south! We did a trip last year and found we really loved the area around Bega, Tilba, and Cobargo was the best of all. About an hour from Canberra, with cold winters, beautiful old properties and, Cobargo in particular, was a gorgeous,old, craft-based little town, popular with tourists.  Hot summers, but cold winters and close to Canberra, which has loads of culture and the mountains for a snow-based option in winter. If we didn't have such a strong reason to stay here it would be our first choice.

My next suggestion would be Tasmania, but stay in the country areas. We loved Deloraine, pretty, very friendly and a really nice community-feel. But it does rain! I love that though, having spent many of my childhood years in Cornwall.

Finally, for us, the choice is the northern rivers. We wanted to be part of a real community, close to family and where we could afford to buy a farm. The area is vibrant and diverse. The "hippy" town of Nimbin is amazing when you get beyond the obvious. People actually care about each other, and if you jump in and get involved it is easy to be accepted. Kyogle is a very different town, but still plenty going on and the council is working hard to bring new, but sustainable, agriculture and tourism based growth to the region. The Channon is gorgeous, and the entire area through to Byron and south is lovely, although, being a country girl I would avoid the coast. Winters are cooler, and last longer, there is more rain, but it is still fairly humid in summer, but often cooler than here. And, it's close enough for you to go and take a look. Tyalgum would also be worth looking at. It is an exciting, inclusive country town, as is Uki.

We currently live in Glass House Mountains, but the Qld government seems hell-bent on destroying the beauty of this region and turning it into another Gold Coast, so we are leaving while our property is still worth its true value!

Wishing you luck with it all but honestly, no where stays the same. It is easy to see only the good back in the UK when you visit the family on holiday, but when you are sitting inside for week after week in summer because it is pouring with rain you would look back and wish you were here. You have entered the never, never land of the migrant, and home will never be the same again. I know, I have done it both ways. So much I love, and hate, in both places. So nirvana will never be yours. Make the best of your remaining time to get your citizenship and find a place you love. Who knows, you may find a place you can truly call home.

Good luck. And please PM me if you need an older friend, we are not far away.

I'm getting fed up waiting now. We dont intend to leave for another few months, but I'm starting to get paranoid as everyone who applied around the same time as us seems to have been approved. :yes:

 

I wrote an email to our CO last week asking for an update and got no response. He's probably up to his eyeballs in work, but I hope he hasnt forgotten about us!! :eek:

According to the Immigration Department's own charter they are supposed to reply in set times. See here for details of required response times. http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/client-service-charter1.pdf

I would call though as often a CO may be away and their emails may not be checked, or responded to (not sure which).

Good luck, it's a very stressful time.

Hi everybody!

 

I have had a very strange day so far!! My partner called our Migration Agent today and he said that the waiting time is now up to 7 months and to be prepared to wait! We have a case officer since March 3rd, so we are just over 4 months in!!

He said not to contact our case officer ourselves "under any circumstances." I was so upset when I heard 7 months! So I took the bull by the horns and called my case officer this morning!! So my visa has been APPROVED and will be granted next week!!

 

Timeline is:

Case officer assigned March 3rd

Requested an additional police clearance from UK on same day

Visa approved and due to be granted next week!!!

 

So happy! I would advise anybody applying not to use a migration agent unless their case is ver complicated! He has made this a horrendous experience for us!

 

Laura :biggrin:

I agree, this was my experience as well. The agent was more of a hinderance than a help. Obviously if it is complicated you do need one, but I just lacked confidence and it was a mistake.

Thanks Sharon - that was so thoughtful of you to post and it's so true, this whole thing is so stressful and overtakes everything that we do need to remember to have fun and enjoy things as well. My OH and I have at least a few phonecalls a week where we don't allow ourselves to talk about anything logistical/visa wise. We just have a laugh with each other and it helps alot!! Otherwise we found all we talked about and got stressed about was visa and moving issues.... thanks again so lovely to have support from people who have been through and understand the process!!

Oh my goodness - huge hugs to you. At least we went through it together. I really hope yours comes through soon. Good luck and stay in touch, PM if you like. I will also give you my number if you feel like letting off steam sometime.

:hug: Sharon

We are heading to the sunshine coast (originally from sydney). We'll be living with my sister for 6 months till we find our feet. Any tips/advice for the area?

We would be delighted to help with any information you need. I think PM maybe better to avoid clogging up this forum. So, please PM me with the kind of information you would like and I will fill you in as best I can.

Cheers for now, I am off to bed.

Sharon

Hi to you all. I have not posted here since our visa was granted last

year. We returned to Oz in late October 2010. The visa wait was a killer for

a number of reasons, including an expectation of shorter processing times

based on those of people submitting a few months prior to us, and our home

having been sold and business relocated to Oz ahead of the move. Doing all that before applying was not the best, but dropping property prices and falling £ had us running scared. In addition I had family pressures in Oz. We stayed with friends and did Holiday rentals until visa grant came through and then the worst blow of all, our lovely dog (we rescued from Greece 3 years prior) failed her medical. Ultimately we rehomed her with a dear friend in France, still not over that! But we have been at home for 9 months now and are living in a lovely home in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. There have been loads of adjustments for both of us (my OH had never been to Oz) but we are settling in and adapting well to being here. I would not be anywhere else now. It has not been easy, and looking back we could have taken the pressure off ourselves and enjoyed the journey more, but it is worth it in the end. For those of you waiting I really advise you to carry on with enjoying life while you wait as you will need all your physical and emotional strength for the actual move. Having said that I know I stressed every step of the way, so a big hug for you all and if I can help you I certainly will, Sharon.

Hi,

Yes, we were asked for specific evidence for one period (can't remember, but I think it was a year). We provided all we could (which was not much more than they already had) and they were happy and my husband was granted a permanent visa from the outset.

I found it a challenging process as I just wanted to get home as soon as I could. But, now we are here it is all lost in the mists of time. It is FANTASTIC to be home. I was away for nearly 13 years.

Good luck to you and try not to worry, you will be fine.

Cheers for now,

Sharon

G'day Folks,

 

first post here, but have been reading this forum for a while.

 

I'm an Aussie, have been living in the UK for 10 years. Wife of 6 years is British and my son (18 months) is aussie by decent (dual passports). We've been together for 9 years so lots of history available to evidence.

 

We lodged partner visa in person on 26th April and paid on the card (payment charged same day).

 

Got the acknowledgement from our case officer (AB) this morning instructing to do medical and police checks, which we are arranging - but also asking for specific proof of that our relationship is genuine between May 09 - May 10 and also Aug 10 - Feb 11.

 

I thought this was quite odd but reading the email it says "

may be eligible for the grant of a permanent visa, rather than a temporary visa"

 

The email says evidence is usually provided in the form of joint financial & legal documents.

 

I'm not sure why they picked those specific days - we provided my son's birth certificate, he was born Aug 09 and so falls within the dates requested!

 

Has anyone else been asked to do this?

 

Any ideas would be most welcomed.

 

thanks

Good luck with all the moving guys and the trip over. I hope by the time you get here the weather will be behaving better. But, even if it isn't it is such a thrill knowing you have finally made it!

I hope we get to meet you at some stage soon. We are on the Sunshine Coast, I think I may have mentioned that before, but are in Brisbane at least once a month.

Love and hugs to you both,

Sharon and Graham

Hi there!!

 

So sorry for the delay, been packing, giving away furniture, shippers today, it's been manic but fun.......at the end of the day, when we know we made it, one step closer, and only 7 more sleeps to go!

 

Would love to meet up with you for sure, that would be brilliant!! Will definitely stay in touch, let us know where you are and see you in sunny Brisbane!!!

 

Take care

 

Nando and Jane X:hug:

Geordieoz - see this thread for discussion on getting the visa stamp in the passport:

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/dilemmas/96769-getting-visa-label-stamp-passport.html

It is possible and I went and got it done last week.

 

re. looking at the electronic version of the visa through the website - I thought you're only able to do that after you have entered Australia? Or maybe you are in Australia now? I haven't tried going onto the website for this reason (I'm still in the UK) but would be interested to hear from anyone who knows what this TRN number is.

 

Thanks,

Jo

If you have the stamp in the passport it serves as two forms of primary ID. It has been invaluable to my husband. I have put loads of info on ID requirements for various things, such as Medicare, drivers licenses etc. The process of getting all this is easy if you prepare, but a nightmare if you don't. Please take a look at the thread I set up "Our first days in Queensland". We have been here 9 days today. Good luck.

By the way they will do the visa stamp readily, but if you can take the passport in rather than send it, we had a last-minute panic as they were much slower than promised.

Oh wow, that is great news!! Conrgatulations and enjoy your new life :hug:

W-hooo w-hoooo visa GRANTED on the 8.10.10. :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

 

I have been in Australia for the last 5 weeks, couldn't wait any longer, I had been apart from oh for nearly 9 months, so in the last 5 weeks we have moved into our new house, sorted school out, and have been enjoying Roxby Downs S.A life, and being together again.

 

Off to New Zealand tomorrow to activate visa, thanks to everyone who put up with my rants and raves, happy to report all is calm now, and its lovely to see all the people who were stressin with me recieve their visa's too.

 

:hug::hug:

Wow, congratulations!!!!!!!

Wow, congratulations!

Now starts the rest of your life. We flew to LA yesterday in the first stage of the journey to Australia, here for 11 days and it feels amazing. Enjoy every step!

Now, go party, party, party........:jiggy:

WE GOT IT! VISA GRANTED!:jiggy:

SO HAPPY. THANKS TO EVERYONE ON HERE THAT HAVE HELPED AND SUPPORTED!

 

EMMA

X:hug:

Congratulations!!

I hope all goes well and you are soon on your way. :jiggy:

We are flying out on Monday, 10 days in US and then on to NZ for two more days then into Brisbane on 25th. Very exciting.

Bye for now and good luck, Sharon

So Pete lasted until 9.04am this morning before giving his CO a ring and witin 30 minutes we got an email stating he is now the proud owner of a category 100 visa. WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!:biglaugh::jiggy::jiggy:

 

Much celebrating tonight me thinks :jiggy:

 

Good luck to everyone waiting for their visa's in the next few weeks.... it's definately worth giving you CO a call when you reach 4 months :smile:

 

Thanks to everyone for putting up with us over the last few months... you're stars :hug:

Oh FANTASTIC GeorgeD.

I am so thrilled for you! I am sure you will have a fantastic weekend now.

Please stay in touch and let us know how your plans go.

Doesn't it feel amazing? :biggrin:

OK, brace yourselves...

 

I called my CO this afternoon to remind her I was still waiting on my official visa grant email...and half an hour later I received it...

 

Subclass 309 Provisional Partner Visa GRANTED!!!!!!!!

 

I am away for a lie down now.....

 

Many thanks to everyone for their support and advice, and good luck to those still in the queue...just remember that DIAC are processing visas away quietly in the background, although sometimes it doesn't feel like when you're pulling your hair out!

Hahahaha, you are right.....it really is, and it is so hard. The weird thing is that there are a few people that you really connect with and you HAVE to know what's happening. I was in the middle of doing some online banking when I saw the message that you had subscribed to the thread. I dropped all and metaphorically ran to PIO.

Has anyone heard what's happening with a certain MadChicken? I know he must be close....oh man....we will all have to meet up in Oz and get seriously smashed!!!

Have a good weekend. I am driving back to the UK tomorrow, so will be offline until Wednesday (unless I manage to find a connection) how will I survive? I hope like mad to see champagne corks popping here when I get back!

Good luck :wacko:

hahaha...that actually made me laugh Sharon. It's like the cliff hanger at the end of an EastEnders episode or something....you hear the do, do, do do do do music coming on and you have to wait till next week to find out what happens!!

Oh God, for some reason this is almost as bad as waiting for my visa! I am with you all the way....COME ONE GeorgeDs CO, flippin' get a move on please..... the suspense is killing us!

:hug:

Ok, so after yesterday's failed attempt at getting an update by email, I thought I'd step up to the plate and pick up the phone...

 

And guess what...

 

...

 

drum roll again...

 

...

 

don't worry, I'm not going to do this every time...

 

...

 

...voicemail.

 

So I left a message...and...stuff the drum roll, I've not had a reply. Frustrating isn't it? Just need to bide my time I suppose :arghh:

 

I am now officially in 4 month territory as of this evening, and have never had one of the fabled "call me the first week of next month/it'll be approved next week/give me an hour to approve it" conversations :cry:

Hi

You are in a great position, they did this with us. It was a similar situation as your own and my husband has since been granted his Subclass 100.

It is so easy to be scared when new things happen, the fear of being turned down is always, no matter how unreasonably, there. Celebrate this and get the needed paperwork and look forward to getting you visa grant.

Good luck and try to chill and practice becoming an Aussie, you will soon be one. :hug:

Got case officer assigned today, 4 working days after application received - so pretty pleased with that timing. But I am interested in what you guys think of the following:

 

I've applied for Partner Visa Subclass 309, i.e. the temporary visa. I sent a lot of information & evidence with the application about my relationship with my wife over the last 8 years (last 4 years married). C/O has requested more evidence of our 'long term relationship', specifically mortgage statements, bank accounts and/or utility bills in joint names between Sept 2008 and Dec 2009. The c/o's email says this is required to "assess whether you meet the definition of being in a 'long term relationship' with your current sponsor (and so may be eligible for the grant of a permanent visa, rather than a temporary visa)".

I am not sure whether this is good news, i.e. he might be looking at processing this application as a Subclass 100 which would avoid applying for permanent visa within the two years of a Subclass 309 being granted. Or whether I just didn't submit enough evidence with the application. And also why the focus on Sept 2008 to Dec 2009?

 

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Congratulations!!!!

How fantastic.....enjoy the celebrations.

Hi mands247 - congratulations you must be chuffed!

 

When I saw you had got yours, I was thinking to myself, well my application went in on the 11th May, surely it must be ready. Anyway I emailed my CO, a bit more forcefully this time, and 20 mins later - an email confirming my Subclass 100 visa - get in there! :biggrin:

 

My timeline for those interested:

 

8th May - application set off front loaded recorded delivery

11th May - confirmation of case no and CO assignment. Request for more information

10th June - query of one question from CO

18th July - I emailed CO about our application - said 3-4 months, early Sept hopefully

6th Sept - Emailed CO asking how things were going...?

8th Sept - CO said should be done by the end of next week

15th Sept - got impatient and emailed again - VISA GRANTED!

 

Such a relief. It does make me wonder if it was ready and I just needed to me more hasslesome, especially once it got to 4 months. I wasn't going to email until Friday, but am so glad I did now.

 

Got our flights booked for the end of Nov to Perth, now just need to do all the other stuff.

 

Good luck to all those whose 4 months waiting periods are coming up, contact your CO as soon as if you don't hear anything. As for those waiting for 5-6 months, I hope the time flys by as best it can.!

 

SteEyns

Fingers crossed for you. I will wait to hear next week. We are travelling back from Italy this weekend and will be mainly out of touch until Wednesday, but I will be excited to hear all the news then. :hug:

Congratulations!!!

 

It's also fantastic news to see they are sticking to the 4 months processing time (for most people) pre-July...gives the rest of us all hope (I'm 4 months on Saturday!)

 

Well done, and all the best with the move!!

Congratulations, that was speedy!

Now like us it's the getting there bit! We have our tickets now, so we know it's real...

Have fun and I hope it all goes well for you. :biggrin:

Hi... just thought i would let you all know that we have had my husband's Partner Visa granted... yesterday!

 

time line goes like this

 

Application Submitted: 12th May

Case Officer (C/O) Email: 14th May

Visa Granted: 14th September

 

So exactly 4 months to the day from submission! We front loaded the application with Police check and meds... we then had to supply additinal information as my husband had a slight blemish on his police check.. nothing serious.. however we had to supply a supporting statement and fill on form 80... long unnecessary process.. as over half the form is for details already submitted!

 

We have been married just over one year.. have two kids and have been going back and forth to Oz since we have been together.... 6 years... so the app. was pretty straight forward in terms of our circumstances...

 

We contacted our case officer a few times to check process... he was great and got back to us in good time... he also advised that there was a 3-4 month wait.. and the second time we got in touch he basically said the visa was approved however could not be released until 14th Sept... I guess they have quantities each month to reach.

 

He does not need to send his passport in... apprently his passport details have been updated electronically.. he has until 29th April 2011 to valadate... however we are there in 10 weeks for reccie.. :biggrin:

 

Good luck to all.. and see you on the other side!

I hope it will be less, and it probably will be, but for the sake of your sanity it will be easier if you can work on that basis, that's for sure.

:biggrin:

Our visa was received and payment taken yesterday so i take it that will be 6 months from yesterday now waiting for a CO to be assigned i see that can take anything upto 2 weeks?

:biggrin:

Mine was longer - see my timeline.

I think it depends entirely on the luck of the draw. I had a change of CO part way through and that can happen to anyone, although in this situation we all hope not.

It is a dreadful process, everything is on hold, and this forum and our emails, take on gargantuan significance.

Good luck and I hope things happen more quickly for you than it did for us.:hug:

Hey Swifty99,

When I spoke to my CO, it he took it from when my Application arrived/lodged and payment went through at Australia House, and other people seem to have the same experience.If you applied before 21st July it seems you are looking at a 4 month calender wait ie from say 4th May to 4th Sept. After end of July it sounds like it went up to 5-6 months wait.

Nope, just up the road, to the Sunshine Coast! My family are nearly all in Brisbane and GC.

I am so sorry to hear you have had to leave your family behind. I really hope you have them with you soon. When did you apply?

Thanks Sharonp53,, no all my family are in the uk, Ive moved back to brisbane.. Sunny QLD I love it!! Back in my ozzy commodore!! just gotta sort my some work and fight through a little more red tape for work licences ect.. Ru heading to perth??

Thanks MadChicken - I am thrilled you have arrived safely and hope all goes well for you.

Where are you now? Are your family with you?

Let us know how you are doing.

Wishing you well,

Sharon

Congrats to you guys who have just been granted your visas and Sharonp53!!! im so happy for ya glad you got it through in the end..

 

I arrived in oz on saturday,,all good so far..

 

Hope to see more visas coming through soon! best of luck guys..