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Hi Eveyone Finally, after a process that started last August, we have been granted our Employer sponsored PR today!!! To be fair it took me ages to get my Dubai Police check so after all paperwork was submitted on 12th Feb it took 16 weeks. Woo Hoo Good luck everyone

Thanks, same to you.

I cant remember exactly but it was something like 175/90. Do you have experience in this adaminoz? Do you think it will result in a no decision? Just to add they requested the additional information on 23rd April.

Hi My application was lodged on 12th Feb by MA. When we had the medical done my hubby had high blood pressure. His GP referred him to cardiologist who after a number of appointments concluded that he hasn't got high BP only this white coat hypertension meaning he freaks out when at the docs :-). We have a CO assigned who has passed the cardiologist letter to MOC for decision. Anyone know how long they are taking to make a decision? Thanks

Hi Everyone My migration agent submitted my Decision Ready (I know now that this means nothing :-( Employer sponsored PR application on 12th February. Am I able to create an Immi account so I can see the progress on this or does it only go to the migration agent? Does anyone have an idea as to the current waiting times? Many thanks

yeah having lived in Dubai for over 2 years I shouldn't be surprised! I really hope it doesn't take 6 months. What was the hold up? Did your friend just post it to Dubai then heard nothing back? Do they acknowledge receipt?

Apparently the money order is no good. HSBC have said they will do bank draft for me if I open an account. So I have done that. This is driving me insane!!!

Hiya Everyone im still trying to sort this out and it's driving me bananas!! I have the fingerprints attested by Dept foreign affairs and UAE Embassy in Canberra. I now have to send the lot to Dubai. They have told me I need to send $85 US Dollars to dubai police HQ by bank draft. Trouble is I've been to commbank and HSBC who say they can't give this to me as the end country needs to be USA not UAE. Anyone have a clue how I can get this bank draft? thank you

Thanks for this. you have been 100 times more helpful that my migration agent. Have a great day

thanks for this link. I went to my local police station in Balmain but they wont take the finger prints unless I have an official form from the body requesting them. I see on this website you have given the statement "The Embassy does not provide a letter or form to the applicant when obtaining a finger print from the police station.". stalemate!! Maybe I can just print out this page and take it with me to the police station?

Hi Everyone Does anyone have experience of obtaining a Dubai Police Clearance whilst here in Oz? I am having difficulty determining the process as Dubai Police website is really only catering for people in the UAE. I have asked my migration agent for help and they will do so but want to add $2000 to their costs for doing so. Seems absolutely outrageous. Thanks for your help

Thanks Laticsprincess. I haven't thought about a boat party before and I like house music unfortunately most of my friends dont!! mmmm back to the drawing board

Hello Poms. I'm gonna bump this post up again and see if we can get any new suggestions on where to go dancing in Sydney! Have a good weekend people

Thanks for that. I will check them out

Hello Everyone Whats the cheapest, safest way to get money back to my UK account from Oz? I'm heading back for a holiday but when I transfer cash from my Oz bank acc to my UK acc the amount always seems to be less that what I expected. Thanks Angela

Hi Poms Can anyone recommend a decent place to go dancing in Sydney? Preferably with a not too young crowd and not all dance or R&B music. Thanks

Hi How are you all? I wonder if anyone can advise of a good mortgage deal for expats living in Oz. We have a house in the UK and our bank have informed us that our permission to rent is ending at the end of October. Meaning they want to increase our mortgage rate from 3.75% to 7.5%. There is no way we can pass this huge increase onto our tenants or indeed pay this extra ourselves. Does anyone have any contact details for a good independent mortgage advisor, or know of any good deals out there? thanks!

Hi Poms I hope you are all well. I wonder if anyone can advise me on my predicament to try for PR. I am in Sydney on 457 working for Nokia. I have been a mobile telecoms network engineer for 12 years working for Nokia, Ericsson, Orange and 3 along with 2 years in Dubai for DU. When I came to Oz in Oct 2010 I was initially employed via an agency who provided by 457 visa although I have always been deployed in Nokia's premises. In Nov 2011 Nokia took me on permanently and gave me a new 457 visa sponsored by them. The view was that after 1 year (Nov 2012) they would apply for employer sponsored PR for me. Since July 2012 I have been informed that the rules have changed and that I need to be employed by the sponsoring company for 2 years instead of 1 unless I go through the channel of getting my skills assessed. According to the skills list a telecoms engineer needs to get a skills assessment from Engineer Australia. Unfortunately when I contact them they will not provide me with a skills assessment since I don't have a bachelors degree and didn't go to uni. I have an HNC in Network Support and over 20 vendor telecoms certificates and along with the 12 years of experience but they wont assess me without a degree. When I speak to the migration agent that Nokia uses he says I can do nothing other than wait until Nov 2013 and then the employer sponsored PR can be lodged without the skills assessment. Apparently he said I can be assessed from Vetasses who will look at my qualifications and work experience but can only assess me to the level of technician. Since I am employed as a senior engineer the PR application will be rejected since I am being employed in a role that I am under qualified for! Does anyone know of any other way around this? Many thanks and sorry its so long winded!

Thanks a lot for the info. Is it essential to hire a car or is there great public transport to all major attractions from surfers?

Hi We (my husband and 4 year old) are off to the Gold Coast next week for a 5 day break. We are staying near surfers paradise. Which of the theme parks are the best and any advice for other places to visit whilst we are there? Thanks

Hi Rachel/Mrs Billy. I have just posted about this topic on the forum. I'm from Scotland but my husband is from Darlington. I have a 4 year old daughter and live in Lilyfield. We have been in Sydney for over a year but finding it difficult to meet friends. Its much easier when you dont have kids and are out all the time! Do you fancy meeting up ladies ?

Hi My husband, 4 year old daughter and myself have lived in Sydney for over a year now but still don't have any friends :sad: We both work full time and my daughter is in day care so its difficult to meet people in park/mums and kids things etc. Any ideas how to meet other people/families? We have a babysitter usually once a month and go out together and thats all. We dont have too much in common with any of our work colleagues, I'm an engineer and most of my colleagues are male from other countries. Its all getting a bit depressing to be honest. I really like living in Sydney but its driving me mad having no girl friends. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks