vava
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Hi Linday, Thank you for that. I was getting confused with the dependent over 18 child form as our eldest was back living with us at the time we submitted our 173 application in 2010 and I`m almost positive we filled one out then but she now lives in S. Korea. I will try and get the daughter in Brisbane to hurry her end along when the time comes. Suppose I should'nt be holding my breath for the half decent exchange rate the High Commission is offering just now - surely they will have altered their rate by the time I'm paying the 2nd VAC! Thanks once again! Val x
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Hi all, We got our temporary CPV173 last November and validated in December. We have decided to apply for our permanent CPV143 now rather than wait until the 2 years have expired. We are currently still in the UK waiting for the housing market to improve. My question is this; Am I correct in thinking that the only forms I need to fill out and send are form 47PT and form 40? There is another form on the checklist (47A) but we think this is for those who have an adult child still living with them. Our other daughter lives in S. Korea so I am assuming we don't have to do that one. Perhaps if Linday reads this she might know as I understand that she did her 173-143 application not too long ago. We are hoping to get the application in before July when the costs go up again and also when DIAC re-set the rate of exchange at the High Commission in London. Does anyone know how long this application usually takes? Hope someone can help......................regards, Val x
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Hi Erika, You could always make contact and be fairly vague to begin with........eg; "I know the wait times are long but should I be worried if 18 months have passed and we still havent got a CO" or "Could the fact that the applicants are from S. Africa be the reason the allocation of a CO be taking a little longer than usual?" You could even say that you are worried that your migration agent is not giving you what you think might be the correct information. As in every business, things slip through the net but the fact that one set of parents is being left out. Do your parents already have their visa? If your migration agents were earning their fee they would be chasing this up for you but I guess I'm quite distrustful of them due to my personal experience. Make that call or write that email or you will drive yourself mad! Good luck, Val x
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Hi Erika, I would phone the parent visa centre or email them. My acknowlegement was end July 2010 and I got my visa last November! I'm assuming that the sponsor is the same for both sets of parents so I cannot see why one is taking so long. Not all migration agents are good value for money (mine certainly wasn't and I reported this to the MARA and they have now been removed from their register) I took over the application before a case officer was allocated. It might just simply be a case of administration mix up. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Val
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Hi Caroline, Yes, your mother is allowed to visit for a holiday (need to have the appropriate tourist visa though). Our application took 14 months before the case officer was allocated and then a further six weeks until the visa was granted. I would say less than 18 months in total not 2 years but I suppose this all depends on how busy they are with processing other applications. Regards, Val x
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One last thing, If my mum’s application do get approved, then I hear she can receive some money from the Centrelink if she do not work (I won’t want her to work anymore as she is in such old age). So how does this work? When can she start receive the money from centrelink (I heard you need to wait for 10 years). Dear Caroline, The extract below is from Booklet 3; Social Security The social security system in Australia is managed by Centrelink, which has strict guidelines on who can access benefits. • Like most other new migrants, once a person is granted a permanent parent visa, they do not have access to most Centrelink benefits for 2 years. • All migrants must wait 10 years after becoming a permanent resident before they are eligible to apply for an Australian aged or disability pension. • The Assurance of Support bond is held for 2 years for parent category migrants and for 10 years for contributory parent category migrants (even after the person becomes an Australian citizen). I hope this helps but it seems that unless your mother is financially independent, you will be responsible for her upkeep. Plus she will not be entitled to a pension until she has been resident for 10 years. Also the Assurance of Support which is lodged with Centrelink just before the visa is granted will not be refunded until 10 years has passed. I know its a daunting task but by asking lots of questions and reading booklet 3 you will make sense of it all. Val
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Hi Moira, We put "not yet known" on the form. Medical was ok and we got the visa so assume that answer was sufficient. Hope this helps! Val x
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Hi Frances, Dont be disheartened - I`m sure there are jobs out there. Me and my hubby will both need to get jobs when we go there full time. I`m not too fussed what I do so long as its not outside in the searing heat! Where in Brisbane are you headed for? My daughter lives in Manly - very nice but too expensive for us to consider that area. Got to look on the bright side though - we're committed now we've handed over all that cash to DIAC! We can dream of a lottery win in the meantime........... Best wishes to you Val x
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Hi Mollymoo, Well you certainly seem to have all the bases covered. We got our CPV 173 last November and validated it in December when we went out to visit our daughter for Christmas. Have come home now to sort out the house and try to sell it. Cant do anything until its sold. Had a good look at property while we were there and its quite scary. Job situation isnt that good either for 55-60 year olds. Just have to work, work, work and save really hard for the next year or so and hope that the housing market picks up here and the dollar improves there. Its not an easy journey thats for sure! All the best - Val x
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Hi Mollymoo, After reading all your posts with interest, has any of you considered (as NONE of you are currently living in Australia) whether or not you might not settle? Plenty of people come back to the UK after only being in Oz a few months or even a year or two. Would it not be more prudent to wait until you and your husband are settled and then apply for your Mums CPV? Its an awful lot of money to shell out if things dont work out. DIAC do not give refunds if you change your minds. Good luck with whatever you decide - Val
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Hi Moira, I think its ok to book a one way ticket to anywhere. The thing you have to prove is to be able to afford the return ticket if you are not entitled to stay in the destination you have entered. Thats why they always ask that question on those "Nothing to Declare" programmes on the TV. Dont think you would have any problems though. Just make sure you allow enough time for the visa grant as you must be offshore when its granted. All the best to you! Val x
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Hi Cath, I would check with DIAC before you send off your application with the fee. Someone recently was turned down because their son/daughter had not been resident long enough at the time of the application. The paperwork probably is not checked when the application is lodged and must only be put into a queue. Must have been awful to be told that especially all this time later as the son/daughter now qualify as being resident for long enough but DIAC take the date at initial application for permanent residency not when a CO is appointed. Might just save a lot of heartache later if you do a bit of research now. Good luck! Val x
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You are right Cath, the 173 does not need the AOS. That comes into play when the 143 is about to be granted. The 2nd VAC will be charged at whatever the rate is when you apply. I understand the fees go up about 10-15 per cent every year - usually July (and maybe January too but not sure). Suppose as long as you get your application in before July the fee will be whatever it shows on the immi website. Ours took 16 months in total. We need to sell our house too but not in too much of a rush just yet. Hope everything goes ok for you! Val
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Hi Sonia, We got our visa last November - it took about 16 months altogether. The tracker was started by one of the members of this site - Sandch. If you go to www.gainwave.co.uk you will see the information for parent visas and also the tracker. I think you can register and enter your name and dates etc and as your application progresses you will see how far along everyone else is. I`m now on the other page for visa already granted. Its really helpful - Sandch is very knowledgeable as well as being a wizz with websites etc. I reckon you should be hearing from your case officer very soon if you applied nearly 14 months ago. Hope all goes smoothly for you and good luck! regards, Val x
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Hi there, how long ago did you apply for your visa? I looked to see if you were on the tracker but I cant find you. Val x
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Well done Chicklet! Make sure you print off the email just so theres no bother at the check-in desk. Have a fab time with your family and hope you get a buyer for your house real soon. All the best! Val x
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Hi, not heard of that one but my daughter and her husband had become Australian citizens but our application still took 14 months. It probably just saves on paperwork proving they are settled and for how long. New Zealand residents are entitled to live in Australia anyway so wouldnt need a CPV. Good luck! Val
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Hi again, I have just had a look on Singapores website; if you scroll right down to the bottom of the page you will find a bit for feedback/enquiry. Click on that then where it says either booking enquiries or customer services you should be able to send them a message from there. Dont forget to put your name,dates of travel and flight numbers in as well as the travel agency you booked with. My travel agent was useless and didnt even reserve the seats I asked for when I booked last May to travel in December and wouldnt even ask about the luggage for me as he said I wasnt entitled either. I took quite a bit in my carry on case and also have a huge handbag which I filled with all sorts too. I would try to message rather than phone so you can print the reply if you get confirmation of the extra allowance. Dont give up and remember to mention Emirates as it really winds them up. We had a good look at house prices while we were there at Christmas and also asked around about the type of jobs we might be considered for but there seems to be a bit of a negative attitude to employing the over 50s but many of the younger workers we came across have no social skills at all so I think the employers are wrong. We are hoping to be there permanently within the next 2 years or so. Just saving like mad now! Heating turned down and extra jumper on to save money on the bills too! Keep me posted on the outcome. Val x
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Hi Chicklet, We flew with Singapore in December to validate our 173 CPV and emailed a few weeks beforehand to ask if they would upgrade our baggage allowance. The reply we were given was that the 173 was only a temporary visa and therefore was not eligable for the extra 10kgs. Not to give up quite so easily, I then emailed back to say how very disappointed I was at their decision and also regretted booking with them as Emirates give 30kgs as standard in economy and would never book with them again. Needless to say that I got my 30kgs each BUT only on the outbound sector, our return allowance was the usual 20kgs. It didnt matter too much as we used the extra weight for Christmas presents etc. and it didnt cost me anything to try again. I see you have a 143 so I cant understand why they would deny you the extra. Have a go at emailing, I think I used their feedback form on their website. I printed off the reply just in case we had a problem at check-in but it was all fine. Let me know how you get on. Good luck! Val
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Hi Denzil, If I were you I would appeal...........not sure how to go about it but I`m sure there will be something on the DIAC website. I think that its disgraceful that you were kept in the dark all that time. Your application should have been checked when it was lodged not 14 months down the line when their reasons for refusal are no longer valid. Please keep us informed of how you get on and good luck! Val
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Hi Phoebe, Been thinking of you these past few weeks and I am so sorry to hear your sad news. We are off to Brisbane next week to A) validate and B) babysit for 6 weeks! Hope you all have a good Christmas (despite everything). Best wishes, Val xx
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Glad everything is going (almost) according to plan. Do a bit of research with a few banks and open a savings account giving the best interest rate and arrange for your funds to be transferred over. We`re getting 6.5% at ANZ which is amazing when you compare it to what you`d get in the UK. Hope it all continues to go well for you! Val
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Wow! I am amazed.............Singapore Airlines have just replied to my email in which I told them I regretted booking with them as I now know that Emirates standard allowance is 30kgs. They have authorised us another 10kgs each as a guesture of goodwill (but only on the outbound sector) Just goes to show that if you dont ask (nicely) you dont get! Can pack the daughter some Twiglets now! Val x
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Hi Les, We would have got the 40kgs if we had gone for the 143 permanent rather than the 173 temporary. They only give the extra allowance for permanent visas! Although why you would have less stuff for any length of stay is a mystery to me! I take the same amount whether I go for a cheeky little week to Spain or a 6 week stay in Oz! I guess rules is rules but I wasnt about to rock up at Manchester airport without confirmation so I`m glad I made sure! Glad all is going to plan for you in Oz! Regards, Val
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Hi Fiz, I had already booked with Singapore before I knew about the 30kgs with Emirates. I wrote to them yesterday and said (nicely) that I wished I`d booked with Emirates................maybe they`ll give me a bit extra as a goodwill guesture. Lord knows I`ve spent enough money using their airline over the years! If that fails then I will send a box with Parcelflight - its much cheaper than airline excess baggage costs! I can keep our stuff to a minimum but my daughter is now giving out my address to her friends and there are parcels arriving daily for me to take to Oz! Entirely my own fault for assuming the double luggage allowance came with every visa! Cheers! Val x