valandmatt

In a roundabout way we heard today that we have been allocated a Case Officer. We sent an email yesterday attaching scanned copies of our Police Certs and got a reply this morning advising scanned copies were not accepted. They have asked us to post them for the attention of our CO and gave us his name - first we knew about it!! Our Son in Law has set up the AOS bank account and is just waiting for the paperwork to send to Centrelink - dreading this bit reading recent comments. At least things seem to be progressing. Angie

Hi Angie, this is the most positive news! As we have the same ack date as you we surely will hear something soon!!!!!! I know they have the wrong email address for us, so which email address did you use, as when I emailed them with the right address all I got was an automated response, and so I feel as if there is no-one has read mine! It will take forever if they post everything to us!

Oh my goodnes Angie, so close now.............

Val x

Hi Val,

 

Thanks for that, it is such a relief.

 

Kevin spent yesterday evening dealing with Moneycorp and tracking HIFX etc. We've transferred the 2nd VAC via Moneycorp to our agent who has agreed to deal with the payment on our behalf as a 'one off'. Our other option would have been to transfer it to our daughter to pay by bankers order but she isn't in a good position to do this (not too well unfortunately right now). By paying it this way we've saved approx £1000+ on what it would have cost us to do it through London! That almost pays for the flights for us :biggrin:. Here's hoping that this time next week we will have a visa to shout about.

 

Good luck with the wait.

 

Kim

Hi Kim, sorry to hear your daughter is unwell - hope she's better soon. These are the times you really feel the distance, and are unable to help when they're poorly :-(

When you have your Visa do you plan on going asap?

So, just by transferring the money to Oz as opposed to paying the VAC in London (which is what we thought we would do) saves over £1000+????? Blimey, we better have a re-think - that is a lorra lorra money to save!

Val x

Fantastic news Kim, sooo exciting! Very happy for you - not long now to the end prize!

As its on topic at the moment, (and if you don't mind me asking) :confused:what's your intended method of payment?

Val x

Awwwwwww , our hearts go out to you, Val & Matt.

If over a year since your acknowledgement date, you're almost there.

For us, we got our CO within 14 months, and after that, all hell broke loose.... we got out visa offer about 4 weeks later, only largely because we had a delay with getting our second VAC paid over with their silly system.... see elsewhere re this topic!

The last few weeks speed by so fast, once you know that you've got it... got it!

I'd advise you to get your medicals and police checks done right now.

Good luck and bon courage!

John & Eirian

Thankyou Jon and Eirian, yes we got our meds and PCC done in AprilMay, shippers sorted, house on market, de-junked (just waiting for some dry weather to have car boot sale) - can't do more until "D-Day" or should I say "CO Day"!

I can't wait to update the tracker Val - our acnowledgement date was 24th May 2011. Every morning I wonder if this will be the one when we hear some news. Our agent emailed us on Friday and said if he doesn't hear something on Monday he intends to escalate things. So I am hoping against hope that we will have news this week. It is quite agonising!

 

Watch this space!

Oh, believe me, I do watch this space, many, many times a day!!! I really hope you hear something this week, that would be fantastic! I really thought there would have been a noticeable increase in allocation after 1st July, but it doesn't seem so does it. I suppose there are many other applicants globally that are not on the tracker - I tend to conveniently forget about them!

Val x

My acknowledgement date was 28th june and the days/weeks are dragging now Moira, immigration seem to be so slow with allocation of CO's none since may on the tracker. It's also outside agencies that are slow like centrelink who also seem to be holding people up in the process. Each day is a torment when there's no news on a CO but i try to keep focused on the outcome and like you say this time next year we should all be settled......... ( if all goes to plan )

Best wishes Ann

So do you think those names at the top of the tracker, say the first 8-10 names, do you think they have all either got their Visa or have been allocated a CO, but not updated the tracker?????

My acknowledgement date is now past one year and its "excruciatingly" slow going, the anticipation - I'm afraid I wake most mornings at 5a.m. and rush to check email!

My 7 year old grandson today said (big sigh) "but Nanny Val WHEN are you coming to live here? How many more sleeps? I miss you......." Oh the agonising reply - I don't know yet, but soon!

Come on DIAC - get a move on! PLEEEEEEASE.......

Hi John and Eiran, I got that letter from the DIAC too, in May, so my meds and police clearance are in Perth. Think I will hold tough and hope that the CO will be granted sooner than the four months. Am getting second thoughts about heading out and waiting for the CO over there, cos I am depending on finding work and would have to wait for the visa for that and again I would have to travel to NZ to validate, all extra money.

And also on a tourist visa you would have to buy a return flight (so I've been told on here) but for the sake of waiting a few extra weeks and getting your 173/143 visa you would only have to get a one way ticket! This was our plan once we got through the long dark winter months, we decided to hang fire and not go Feb/March/April time but just sat tight and think that flights and spending money x 2 (in our case) = cost of car or shipping our stuff over, or a host of other things we will be needing once we get there!

Val x

OMG - just received acknowledgement of my 173 application. So excited - and I can now add myself to the tracker. The letter estimates 14 months from now for a case officer.

Cath

Hi Cath, fantastic news - so exciting isn't it! Congratulations on getting over the first hurdle!

Val x

I have some news at last! Received a letter in the post today from DIAC regarding getting medicals and PCC's done etc. HURRAY!!!! At last!!!! It states at the top of the letter "sent via email" - which I have not received, hence posted as presumably email would have bounced back to them as I noticed they have incorrect email address as "a01" instead of "aol" seems a bit of an odd error to me, but hey-ho! The letter also states a Case Officer will assess our application within four months. Happy Days!!!

Val x

Hello Everybody

I'm really hoping for a bit of moral support from members of the CPV thread as I am feeling completely desperate and down about how long this whole process appears to take.

 

I've only recently submitted all my paperwork for a 143 CPV. I did an offshore application so I sent everything off to my daughter/sponsor and she added her bits and took the papers in, probably about 8-10 days ago now, so they're in the system. I don't know what ever gave me the idea that this process was quicker than it is! I recall seeing posts (or thought I'd seen posts) where people had waited between 7-9 months. Perhaps at the time I just didn't understand the terminology well enough and maybe these people were just reaching another significant milestone or something, because I certainly now can't find anything to suggest any such thing.

 

I am applying to join my only child who has lived in Aus for 5 years now, is married to a lovely man and I am now the very, very proud grandparent to my muchkin grand daughter aged 16 months already! Funny how time flies when you're watching a child grow through photographs/skype but absolutely crawls along when you're waiting for papers to be processed. As soon as I set eyes on her aged 4 days, I knew I couldn't live without her. I simply cannot be this far away from her for any great length of time. She has been to the UK twice in her little life already and I'm going back in August for 3 weeks ....... CAN'T WAIT.

 

I took voluntary redundancy from work at the end of March to get the money to pay for the 143, so that is sorted. Mind you, I thought I'd get another job quickly and haven't managed to yet. Soon after I sent the paperwork off to my daughter I contacted an estate agent, because I started worrying that I wouldn't be able to sell my house before the visa came through (ha!). I told them my plans and they suggested putting it on the market now to see if there were any takers. It's a nice house, but I was still gobsmacked to have a full asking price offer in 6 days! So, I've sold my house and they want possession by end of September - fair enough. I've got the money to pay for the Visa; I've got no job so really, could be gone as soon as this thing happens. But it's not going to happen any time soon is it folks?

 

My heart is in my feet right now and I can't shake myself out of it. I read something on here about a one year visa and I don't know if that can apply in my circumstances. Does anybody know whether, having already filed an application for a permanent visa, I can now apply for the one year visa and get a job in that time then come back and wait out my time until the 143 is granted; or can that visa act as a bridging visa (another term I've seen referred to on here)?

 

Any help from anybody gratefully received.

I am 52, usually full of beans and very positive and optimistic, but I just can't pull anything out of the bag to put a positive spin on things. I should be pleased that I've sold my house straight away but now I'm just going to be homeless, as well as unemployed and a million miles from my little lovely.

 

Sorry to bring down the mood everybody.

Angela

Hi Angela, well, one thing you can be sure of on this thread, you are not alone, we all have sons, daughters and most precious grandchildren all growing up without us. I'd really love to cheer you up and be able to tell you t won't take long, but I'm afraid to say that it seems to take approximately 15-18 months on average to get to visa grant. And the time will drag most of the time. There is nothing much you can do to speed up the process either. Sorry, that's the bad side, the good stuff is reading the positive posts on this forum, and generally trying to gather information for when you will need it. I am not an expert but I have picked up some good info. My application was received June 2011 and am ever hopeful to be allocated a Case Officer in the next few weeks. I have both a son and daughter in Oz and five granchildren who I haven't seen for over 18 months and its agony most of the time - I miss them all so much! Also we have not had any luck with the sale of our house so far. But fingers crossed not much longer to wait.

I believe you are in a very fortunate position regarding not working and the sale of your house and could easily wait out your time in Oz. I am pretty sure that if you read Booklet 3 on the DIAC website you will see that they are happy to issue you with a 3, 6 or 12 months visitor visa - e676 (you must inform them of your 143 application) and when the time comes of visa grant you "hop" over to NZ for a few day so that you are offshore. But you definitely cannot work on this visa.

I hope this helps, if I could wave a magic wand, I would!

All the best, Val x

p.s. Have you seen the Tracker? Check this out -

www.chireckles.com/cpv/tracker

12 months after our application was acknowledged there is now some activity. Received an email on Saturday morning to say that we will be allocated a CO in the next few months and to arrange for our medicals and Police checks. They also asked for our sponsor to contact Centrelink. Figures crossed we don't have the same problems as others have recently experienced with Centrelink!

Anyway good luck to everyone! Angie

WOW Angie, I dreamt we had that email today, and was up at 5 a.m. to check - obviously I must have been dreaming of you!!!!! At last, something is moving, can't help but feel even more excited now! I've just noticed your heading to Redland Bay - so are we hopefully, fingers crossed. Our daughter lives there. We love the village feel.

I do hope we all don't have tooooo long to wait for a CO now that we are all getting so much closer, although someone posted on here a few days ago that their acknowledgement letter said they were allocating for April 2011. Fingers crossed.

Val x

Val x

To John and Eirian - aha! you are now on the "special" list of Visa grantees - you are on Australian soil now, methinks!!!! I wish you and your family a wonderful future and everything that being together means to us all. I hope that you do not forget us (and from time to time could write some precious words of wisdom, (perhaps on a wet Sunday afternoon!) and offer encouragement and inspiration by way of an update, to those of us still waiting! I woke at 5 a.m. this morning and was convinced that today could be the day I received "the email" from DIAC - the excitement was bubbling until I got up and checked - NO.....not today....but perhaps tomorrow......I live in hope!!!

All the very best

Val x

Hi Gill, thanks once again, your explanations wonderfully clear and sooooo helpful. I have copied and pasted to my "Oz folder" for when needed!

My two pennorth re wicker - was told by shippers - if its open weave it's no go - if its closed weave its o.k. Not really that helpfull, so I will probably not ship my lovely useful baskets etc, but I do have an old fashioned wicker sewing basket, which I will risk, as my Mum gave it to me many, many years ago and it seems to be a closed weave-ish! Oh well, can but keep one's fingers crossed - wing and a prayer!

Val x

Hello Gill, really positive vibe from reading your post, and I am sure I shall read it several times more to remind myself as to why I am putting myself through this torment of applying for a visa and parting with a helluva lot of money in the process of moving to the other side of the world! What an amazing year you have had, and what a brave and gorgeous little grandaughter you have with a beautiful name too! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it.

Regarding the financial side of day to day living your system seems to be working very well for you and would like to ask you further questions - nothing too deep, just to make sure I understand one or two things, like the Super fund. I thought this was equivalent to our private pension schemes here and that you had to have money invested for a good few years before you got any payout? And I shall certainly start a Post Office account/credit card - very useful bit of info.

Thanks once again, has really made me feel more positive - as I wake up each morning, switch on the computer to see if today is the day I have a Case Officer!!!!

Val x

Hi all

Its great to hear of people moving over. I have had an offer on my flat, from my neighbour, but I have not decided whether I will rent for a year or sell before I go, but it certainly makes it easier for me, although we havent talked a price yet. Can people recommend some removers. I think I will start getting quotes in. Although it seems a long time before I move over, I am planning end November I dont want a rush at the end and because I sent in a paper application I cant get my medicals done until I get a case officer because I need a number that only she can give me.

Hoping everything goes smoothly for everyone

Best wishes

Moira

Hi Moira, we thought this was the case also until I phoned the medical centre and told them we were paper application and had not yet got a CO. They were quite happy to go ahead with the File Reference number on our acknowledgement letter. We had our medicals done in April at The Bridge Clinic in Maidenhead. They were very efficient and put us at ease - cost £200 each - so I should think so too!!! Like John and Eirian we also wanted to know if there were any problems likely to put a stop to our plans!

Hope this helps.

Val x

Thanks, Val & Matt.

We updated the tracker the day we heard that our visa was granted!

Great to hear that you'll be visiting Sydney as well and that you'd like to come and play.

I heard that there is an extra subscription charge for foreigners, but maybe that's not true! :wink:

John & Eirian

Haha! but if the subscription is a schooner and a glass of vino count us in! Whereabouts in Sydney are you planning to live?

Just had a look at the tracker and I don't think its me but it shows you as still waiting..........???????? and others too which I think must have got their visas by now.

The last visa to be on the visa granted list is early April. Am I doing something wrong?

Val x :frown:

At last we're flying to Sydney next Thursday to validate our visa, arrange Medicare, order a car, etc., etc.

We'd love to meet some of you Sydneysiders to pick your brains and compare notes.

As you organised the last team meeting, Marian, any change of repeating it between 18 June and 25 June? We fly back to clear the house, etc on 10 July, hoping to return for good by the end of September.

Fingers crossed.

Really looking forward to meeting some of you soon.

John & Eirian

Hi guys, congratulations on getting your Visa - don't forget to update the tracker so that we can all move up the list - and you get a big red star - you've earned it!

Although we'll be based in Brisbane we will be regular visitors to Sydney where our son lives so please can we join your group and come to play sometimes??? :wink:

We'll be over in September hopefully!

Have a safe flight.

All the best, Val and Matt x

Hi all

Just wondering how long it takes to get an acknowledgement of the visa application. My daughter sent my 173 application in - from Mackay - about 3 weeks ago.

Already getting impatient lol............. I realise it doesn't happen overnight. The first step in a long process but I am so excited now and planning ahead.

Thanks, Cath

Hi Cath, check to see if they've taken the first application charge, at least then you'll know they've received it o.k. Ours was taken 2-3 weeks before we received the acknowledgement letter.

Val

Good morning all,

Just wanted to share that we have just received an email from the PVC advising us to undergo our medicals, arrange AOS and have our police certificates completed. We are DELIGHTED. Our acknowledgement date is May24th 2011. The email says that this will speed up the process for when a Case Officer is appointed and specifically states NOT to send any documents until we are asked to do so by the CO.

What a great day!

Kim

Hi Kim, what exciting news! Thankyou so much for sharing.

Val x

Hi all, I feel as if we're the class of 2012!

Anyway, have received our Police Certificates yesterday, do I upload them and email them or do I post the originals to Perth Parent Visa Centre? I feel as though it may be best to wait for a CO but not sure why - I suppose in case it gets lost somewhere in the corridors of the PVC..... any advice? What did you do if you front loaded.

I wish something would happen on the tracker soon - no CO's for March 2011 acknowledgements yet!!! Aarrgghh!! Have had a few viewings on the house but not even a sniff of an offer or even a second viewing yet - agent says things are very quiet. I know....patience......

Val x

Woke up thi morning in a sweat and palpitations with the enormity of this parent visa, it's took all my savings and my sanity i think, been dribbling money over to my oz bank in preparation for the 2nd vac and it's so dissapointing to see how little we get now. must stop reading posts on other threads jut how expensive it is over there. Think i feel it's for real now as i have tenants moving into my house 1st june, they seem a lovely family which is a relief. Also had a scare with a breast lump that was removed and biopsy result was benign ( thank goodness ) have letter from consultant to take to medical when i go. All a bit of a rollercoaster just now, good days bad days seems to be the norm these days. Must stay possitive and keep telling myself how lucky i am to have this chance, i seem to worry over things that haven't happened yet, as in what if i get sick and can't work to pay the rent etc.... lordy lord it goes on and on...... sorry for moaning ..... but the sun is shining today so things can only get better....... thats off my chest so all good now. :chatterbox::twitcy:

Hi Liverpoolloo, you really put into words exactly how I feel sometimes. The trouble, I think, is that there is too much time waiting for the Visa and so we have wobblies and worries where there probably is none. If it was all processed quickly we wouldn't have the time to worry about the various costs - the money would be handed over and we would be there seeing for ourselves how we cope with living costs. Obviously, from a practical point of view, most of us need the time to get our finances etc in order, but really there is not much to be done until nearer the time anyway.

I wake up some mornings thinking that maybe my daughter doesn't really want us to go - absolutely stupid thoughts I know - but shows how paranoid I have become - totally impatient and feel my life is in limbo whilst waiting for Visa - and of course, that's not definite yet.

I am sure you and all of us will be absolutely fine once we get to Oz - we will "cut our cloth accordingly" and being able to see our grandkids as and when we want is priceless! This is the thought I hang onto when doubts start to creep in regarding the huge outlay to get us to Oz.

You are not alone!

Val x

Hi Megancun, yes I remember the conversation on here a few weeks ago. I just phoned the Medical Centre and explained we had not yet got a CO or HAP ID, but wanted to get the medicals done sooner rather than later in case there were any issues that had to be sorted. They completely understood and they were happy to go with the FileNo from the acknowledgement letter. Also you have to confirm that the application is paper based only, and therefore cannot be done on the E Health system. They had absolutely no problems with this at all.

Val x

I think we may well have had the same doctor! He was joking away and had us in stitches! Blood pressure??? What blood pressure!!!!

Evening all! Well, meds done and (hopefully) dusted! Can't fault Bridge Clinic, Maidenhead. Everything went well until I had to give up my blood - oh my, what a pallaver, my veins went into hiding - after several attempts in both arms, eventually the nurse got enough blood (just) from the back of my hand - not exactly painfree - but I was a brave girl! Got a few bruises to show for it too! Results for bloods and X Rays back next week.

Val x

Hubby suffers from "white coat syndrome" with regard to his blood pressure and spent an hour in our doctors' surgery where there is a DIY machine, taking his own test until he got one he was happy with! LOL

I've been trying to drink loads of water (probably don't normally drink enough) - don't know if it will make any difference - just feel as if I have to do something which may help!