Rose Fuller

Hi. We are currently in the UK and hold PR visas. I had a baby in the UK in November and we have just lodged the paperwork to apply for a child visa for my baby. What is current processing time based on peoples experiences? It can be up to 9 months however I've been told it can be a lot quicker?

i spoke to our agent today and he said as we have a permanent visa the only way to do it is on a 101 child visa however he thought processing time could be 5 months which doesn't sound too bad as baby is only 3 weeks old so we wouldn't look at returning before then anyway.

That's the danger....which is why I would never recommend emigrating if anyone ever asked me!! I was happy in the UK before we emigrated, life was good. Now no home, less equity, seeing faults in the country that I didn't see before. Family split over who wants to be where. Early days for us. I wish I'd had a crystal ball!

Thats great thank you

We are in the same position. We went to oz a year ago to activate our visa and spent 9 months there. We returned to the UK when I was 30 weeks pregnant, however we would like to get the baby a visa as we may go back at some point in the future. We still have 3 years left on our visa. Both parents English. So based in this feed I take it we would need to apply for a baby/child visa from the UK? We have a birth certificate but it sounds like we may need to get a passport too? And from this I take it processing time will be 8-12 months. Our visas were processed visa an agent I wonder if it's just easy to get them to manage or is it simple enough to do ourselves? Where would the application come from? Any idea on cost?

its still early days, however it doesn't seem to be living up to the pedestal I put it on! I do think it was right in as far as I've now had my baby (8th nov) and it has been lovely to have friends and family around, but the place seems run down. It also seems very crowded everywhere. I guess I must have started to settle in oz and not realized it! It's been nice to see my oldest son who returned to the UK before us, especially for my middle child who really missed his brother. My middle child has settled back into his old class and is happy to be home. Hubby hates being back, he is regularly stuck in traffic on the m25 traveling to/from work and really wished we weren't here and thinks we've made the biggest mistake in returning, and being back just reinforces all of the reasons we left. It is actually a year ago today we left for oz so he's not happy today! We have our beautiful baby though, and have given ourselves a year (length of our lease) to see how we all feel and if we think we have done the right thing it if we should try again less my pregnancy hormones! I'm a little wary as I did really struggle and am also mindful that it will be hard for my middle son who never really settled (albeit we were only there 9 months). Kids are resilient but not that resilient so I'd need to be sure I was going to make a real effort. Plus we have spent so much money shipping stuff to oz, then back to UK. Plus flights each time. Buying cars etc. it could be financial suicide! What at I would say with Insight is that I wish I'd been braver, tried a little harder, but homesickness and being pregnant was not a good mix. Who knows what the future holds, but I would say oz is not a closed door for us.

Not exactly the same situation, but we only stayed in OZ 9 months (I fell pregnant unexpectedly, eldest son returned to UK, youngest struggling to settle & I couldn't settle as homesick & hormonal) I pretty much wanted to go home from the word go!! We have now been back 3 months and I have a wonderful baby boy born 8 Nov. I went with my heart and although hubby did not want to return to the UK we did. What you are saying does sound familiar to me, although now we are back I just wonder if I should have given it a bit longer...been braver and tried harder. But in my hormonal state I had to do what was right, but its a niggle now especially as it takes a lot to get out there. And with insight it was such a small amount of time/our lives there that It wouldn't have hurt to have stayed a little longer to see if we could have settled. Now we are going to see how we feel at the end of 1 year to see if we should go back and give it a real shot. That of course will eat into our funds but its certainly not a closed door (which makes hubby feel better!).

This is brilliant and makes more sense now we are back in the UK. We have only been back 3 months so very early days, but this list is useful. I would agree that surprisingly (as I was soooo homesick) I do miss Australia in many ways. I also do agree to have a 1 year plan...re-assess the situation are we happy and benefitting from being back. And god we should sooooo have moved back in spring. haha. But all great tips )

I was in the same position, although we have only been back 3 months so early days for us. I have private messages the member who started this post.

Ho. I'm 32 weeks pregnant, and have been back in the uk just over 2 weeks. I'm not entitled to statutory maternity pay, despite only being out of the country 9 months and having worked in the uk for 20+ years!!! You should be able to claim child benefit once baby is born and has a birth certificate, possibly you can get support with rent (housing benefit) if your mum charges for the room. I'd look into income support if I was you, try to get an international number to see if your entitled. Regarding flying, you can fly up until 36 weeks gestation as long as you are fit, although you should get a fit to fly letter from your doctor. Good luck xx

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!! It helps when you hear other people experiencing simular emotions/situations. And luckily the majority don't judge as every situation and person differs. We all have the same goal...to be happy!! I do think the pregnancy hormones do play a part in accelerating your emotions, and put into perspective what you feel is important (family/friends). Hopefully the holiday will do you good, and by then you will be clearer on how you feel.You know what...life has a way of working out...human nature means that the majority of people continue moving until they are happy. You just have to make sure that as a family everyone is considered and we find a fair balance. And as for the sparkle...Ican feel mine coming back a little just knowing I'm going home to familiarity and what has been a good life. Good luck to you too x

Agree totally. We came out 4th December. It took us 6 weeks to get a rental and we didn't end up in the location wanted, but panicked and took a property which probably wasn't in the best location to help us settle. Also We missed the UK Christmas and our family. So I would say come out between Feb and September.

P.S. Going back to Essex.....

Thanks, I have been looking at the other side based on your comments and its been really useful, we talked for a lot of the weekend, and I have explained its not a shut door, its just whats right now with the new baby etc. We don't know how it will all turn out, we could go back and hubby may settle (he has a new job offer yayy!!), and I may wonder what Ive done. Our youngest came out and told us he feels like hes starting to settle in the last week or so which we had to laugh at as so poorly timed!!! I see that as a positive as he will have fond memories, and if we did decide to come back it wouldn't be with our son kicking and screaming!!!! Hubby wanted to drive to the port and stop the container!!!!! haha. We had a great weekend with the some of my husbands Aussie family and things are feeling better. Ive told hubby we will work through this as a family and what will be will be. You just have to do what is right for you at the time. I cant thank this forum enough ))))) Looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family at the weekend. Will keep you posted on how we are getting on.

I just wish we felt the same. I hadn't foreseen this as a possible scenario before we came, hopefully it will come good I love him to bits. I'm sure we can get through this. I will definitely look at couples counselling if we have issues. I have to say I still feel hurt by his comment. I guess the key is to keeo on talking, although I feel like sulking!!