vava
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Hi Veronique, Yes, we were very impressed with them when they came to quote - pity our sale fell through and not had any offers since but we'll definitely use them when we're ready to ship out. Regards, Val
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Hi Steve, No news on the house sale front. Its like living in the land that time forgot! It isn't only me - there are 2 more on my avenue and 3 on the next. They've all been for sale as long if not longer than mine. We have decided to visit Brisbane for Christmas this year though so at least we'll see the grandchildren again. I have no idea why the visa centre became so impersonal. Perhaps it was a cost cutting measure but it seems, to me at least, that their customers are mostly dissatisfied with the service they are getting in view of the vast sums they are handing over. I'd follow them on Twitter if I were you and make my grievances known. They might just start taking the feedback on board if enough people let them know they're not happy. It can't hurt to try! All the best! Val
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Yes Freesia, it must be annoying for you all. They used to do things differently when I got my visa; you actually knew the name and email address of your very own case officer but I don't think they do that now. Its all very impersonal. Also, all those weeks waiting for the official nod must be eating into the time allowed for validation. Its not good enough! Perhaps its time to start Tweeting..........I've always had a reply when I've complained via Twitter to other service providers. Regards, Val
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If the house takes as long as mine to sell in Lancashire, you'll still be waiting in 2017! Hope it does sell without you having to virtually give it away! Regards, Val
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Yes, you can come and go as you please for 5 years after the grant. So if you got your visa then waited a couple of years, then moved over to Oz, you would still be able to pop back and forth for another 3 years. Then you would have to get a Resident Return visa. We've had ours since 2012 and we're still here. There are conditions attached to the RRV but if you can prove you have a compelling reason to be allowed back in then, as I understand it, you should be alright. Hope this helps, Val
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Hi Fluffy, I suppose its all down to preferences and circumstances. We got our173 in 2011 then we were granted a 143 in 2012 and we are still stuck here in the UK with an unsold house. Luckily for us the visa is ok till 2017. There not much difference in the cost of doing it via the 173 then 143 route but you do have further application charges. Hope they make the right decision in the end Regards, Val
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Looks like we need to organise a PIO jamboree! It could be a yearly event held in different states! :wink:
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Certainly Steve! The more the merrier!
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I think we're going to need a bigger table! And a bigger bottle! Xx
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Hi, we're going to the Brisbane Bayside area, where are you headed for? You should be getting your visa anytime now so I hope you get an offer soon. Maisiedaisy and I are going to share a large bottle of something and laugh at all the stress this journey has caused us one day in the hopefully not too distant future! You're welcome to join us if you're ever in the area! Cheers! hic!
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Thanks for that Petina but I only know this because we got the 173 first then the 143. We were very niaive in those days and our agent just did the 173 application without really explaining things to us properly. We asked IMMI if we could switch but they said we had to start again. Our agent then went AWOL for 6 months, no explanations or emails. We reported her to MARA and she is no longer a migration agent so we had to go it alone from there. I've been a member of PIO for almost 5 years and its been invaluable. We have also made some really lovely friends who are already living the dream in Oz and we meet up whenever we've been on holiday. The next trip will be on a one way ticket.......fingers crossed yesterdays viewers will make an offer! Regards, Val
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Hi, If they have applied for the 173 but have now decided to go for 143 they will have to begin the application all over again. They might as well stick to the original plan as it will end up costing more in the long run and take more time. That's assuming I've guessed which visa is already applied for correctly. Let us know if its a different one. Hope this helps, Val
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Hi Petina, Surely, if you have paid an agent, they ought to have made a copy of your Form 80 and could fax it through to IMMI. Make them earn their fee! IMMI "lost" my police check paperwork. I bought new ones then, hey presto, the originals were found! Hope it all works out without having to do it all again. Regards, Val
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Hi Joe, just as a matter of interest, how did you get round the question relating to returning back "home". I read on the form that you have to say that you intend going back to wherever you came from when the 600 expires. Cheers, Val
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Hi, our 173 to 143 only seemed to take a few weeks but that was in 2012. I think they take a little longer now. I wouldn't risk taking it all the way to the 2 year mark just in case it is taking a little longer these days. Regards, Val
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Hi Petina, Welcome to my world! Two years plus and we are still awaiting a sold sign outside! Seriously though, I hope your house sells soon! Regards, Val
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Hi Steve, It seems weird for me still contributing to this forum having had PR since October 2012 and still in the waiting room - so to speak! Everybody knows we are waiting to go! Even the staff in Asda are now saying "Are you still here?"! I only have one friend who will come to see us for definite and another who says she will but will never do the flight as she's only ever been as far as Majorca! It'll save us having to pay for a "goodbye" party! Not had my feedback yet but the couple were only at the "firm offer" stage in their house selling process so they may have only been compiling a shortlist. Still, its manners to give feedback but, as they say in the north, there's nowt as queer as folk! Just to clarify, shouldn't your timeline read February 2015 for acknowledgement?? Sit tight Steve and enjoy the British summer - and enjoy the interest on your dosh before the Oz government get it! Cheers! Val
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Hi Steve, Seemed to go well but not had any feedback from agent yet. Thank you for asking though! My Mother never does - but then she must be living in Egypt - somewhere in DENIAL! Haha! I reckon she doesn't want me to go to Oz so she never mentions it! Regards, Val
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[h=1]Medicare[/h]Page Content The Department of Human Services (DHS) determines whether or not you are eligible for Medicare benefits. As part of the Medicare enrolment process, you need to demonstrate your current visa status. You might be eligible for Medicare benefits if you are residing in Australia and are: a permanent visa holder an applicant for permanent visas (some exclusions apply) who has a right to work in Australia and/or is sponsored by a parent, partner or child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident a holder of certain temporary visas a temporary visa holder who resides in a country that has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. Some agreements require clients to be a resident and a citizen of the relevant country. We aim to share visa status information electronically with DHS where possible. This should avoid you needing to return to us and ask for additional information, which can involve a fee. [h=1]Medicare[/h]Page Content The Department of Human Services (DHS) determines whether or not you are eligible for Medicare benefits. As part of the Medicare enrolment process, you need to demonstrate your current visa status. You might be eligible for Medicare benefits if you are residing in Australia and are: a permanent visa holder an applicant for permanent visas (some exclusions apply) who has a right to work in Australia and/or is sponsored by a parent, partner or child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident a holder of certain temporary visas a temporary visa holder who resides in a country that has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. Some agreements require clients to be a resident and a citizen of the relevant country. We aim to share visa status information electronically with DHS where possible. This should avoid you needing to return to us and ask for additional information, which can involve a fee. Hi Sadge, I copied this from the IMMI website. If you google Medicare, there is quite a bit more info you can access online. regards, Val
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Hi Ant, do you mind me asking; are you already on a CPV 173? If so, you can stay onshore while you wait for you CPV143 to be granted. If that's the case then it takes only a few months to grant otherwise if its just the 143 you must be offshore for the grant and this one usually takes about 18+ months from application to grant. Hope this helps, Val
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Hi Steve, we changed agents 2 weeks ago, got another viewing this coming weekend. Wish we'd gone with this agent 2 years ago as they seem very pro-active in marketing their properties plus they only do sales. I think because the rental market is so bouyant, agents get caught up in that side of things as its easier money. We shall see what Saturday brings...........fingers crossed! Val
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The way we look at it, it boils down to the cost of a permenent visa verses the cost of going for a holiday every year till we can no longer cope with the journey. We have been visiting every Christmas for a few years. We rent a holiday flat, hire a car and generally enjoy ourselves for about 6 weeks. We spend in the region of £7k + including flights. Puts it into perspective eh? If we are very lucky we might get some part time work, we'll buy a smallish house and a car and best of all, we'll get to see our family in the flesh on a regular basis. Add that to the better weather and it's a no brainer! Also, if we were Australian and our kids migrated to the UK, there is no visa that would allow their parents to live here.
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Aged parents, can we afford it, what do we get for $100,00
vava replied to glenffidich's topic in Visa Chat
Hi, I think, or at least my daughter informs me that interest on the AoS can either be paid out every six months, every 12 months or kept with the original bond. She said she chose to keep adding the interest to the capital and I'm hoping she isn't telling me porkies and is pocketing $400 every 6 months! Surely not! Hmmm............I feel a Skype session coming on! -
Hi, please be aware that by using credit cards there is a surcharge on top which can be anything from 1.08% to 2.99% plus unless you are paying in AUD, there may also be currency exchange fluctuations. Val
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Vicky, I would have thought that with a masters in mechanical engineering, the young man in question might be able to get his own visa. Could be worth making some enquiries as I understand that complete dependency on parents, particularly in view of his age, is really tough to prove. Regards, Val
