M1cha3la

Hi Martin, Once your visa is granted you have 12 months (from date of medical or police check) to validate. Some move straight away, some do validation trips. The visa is valid for 5 years. To get a RRV you need to be there 2 of the 5 years from what I understand, but there are ways around this, as I know a few on here have taken the full 5 years to move. Not fully sure how that works though. We will go and validate this year (will be our first time to Oz) then we are hoping to make the final move next year If your job is on the SOL, then the best visa to go for is the 189, as it is a permenant visa with no state commitments. If you need the additional points, the 190 is the next best option if your job is on the CSOL, but it does commit you to the sponsoring state for 2 years. That is assuming you do want the permanent visa route Hope that helps and good luck

I really hope so. The waiting and it being out of our hands is killing me. You should get your CO soon too, looking at you signiture. Exciting times :wubclub:

This is so sad. My heart goes out to all of the families and friends. It seems they are been kept in the darks as well (bbc news). The unknown must be heartbreaking for them. Xx

Ours was uploaded within 24 hours. They usually say 24 - 48 hours at Bridgewater. Was super happy with them xx

We got our CO :jiggy:

Our agent has done exactly the same and claimed 10 points for DH's ACCA. I queried it at the time and he said its open to interpretation, so if you have enough points without the 5, underclaim as you can loose all your money if you over claim. I can not say I was entirely happy, but he is the agent so hopefully knows more than me lol. We got invited at 60 after two rounds. Good luck xx

We got a reference :jiggy: I threw my toys out and sent our manager a long email stating about how much we did for the company. I also emailed a friend that works there and asked then ask our manager if she had received our email, which must of guilted her as today we got the reference, I don't like to involve others but it did the trick.. What a performance...

Yea it is driving me nuts (I wont rant to much, have a whole thread related to it :laugh:) I think we are going to have to do a stat dec. We did not need to go that far back for skills assessment. Three years for skills assessment, but five years from points perspective. Or something like that, DH and agent are dealing with while I PIO lol Xx

Eeeek, how exciting :cute:

Yep still hanging... Got a few last little bits to sort though (old employer wont give us a reference :mad: ) so at least its giving us chance to get everything uploaded prior to getting a CO. Hows everyone else getting on? Xx

Thanks Pabs.. We did a stat dec for the skills assessment, so really just wondered if it was ok to do so with DIAC too.. To be honest my old company is just strange like that, but sadly by law employers are not obliged to offer references, so they are doing nothing wrong legally (morally it sucks). Its frustrating to say the least.. Onwards and upwards hey.. Xx

Thanks for the replies everyone :wubclub: There a few different ways in there so hopefully we can get it sorted. I was starting to consider stalking my manager :twitcy: Its sad really as we both spent a long time there and left on good terms. I always knew they didn't give references, but its not really something you think about until it comes to it. Then I really thought they would do us one, as my DH did loads for the manager so I hoped she would make an exception or even do a personal one. Guess not :daydreaming: Of course I don't mind Jodi you are not thread jacking, a problem shared.. :wubclub:

Hi Ange, Thanks for the reply. We originally contacted our old line manager (we both worked there lol) and she wont as it is against company policy. Hence approaching HR. They will not do it. They dont even do references for leavers new companies. It is really annoying as I worked there 6 years and DH 4 years and we have nothing to show for it bar payslips and some emails with complements that I printed off. Its a pain. I am stuck on what we can do.

Hey, I know there are a few threads at the moment regarding payslips ect for proof of employment, but we having the opposite problem in we have all the payslips and bank statements, but can not get a reference. From a points perspective, we are struggling to get a reference from his earliest employer. Its been 4 years since he worked there, we need a reference just for the last year he worked there as thats what we are claiming. Basically, they are saying it is not company policy to give a reference, not even to just confirm he actually worked there :wacko: There is no way they will give one, and the HR will no longer even take our call or acknowledge our emails :mad::cry: Can we submit a self/statutory declaration, like we did for the skills assessment? Thanks xx

No advise to offer, but I will keep my fingers crossed for you and Hubs skills assesment :wubclub:

I second what Adonna recommended. We had ours last week at Bridgewater, with Dr Smith. He was brilliant. The whole clinc was brilliant. We were there less than an hour and they turn the results around in 24 - 48 hours, which tops all of the others :cute:

I am no expert, but Hairdressing is not on the SOL list, so I think you have to go the state sponsored route. Are any of the other states sponsoring still? Its only a 2 year commitment and then you could move to Perth? There are some really knowledgable people on here so I am sure someone will be able to give a more detailed answer than mine... Hope you get it sorted xx

Happy birthday :wubclub:

Yes you can do a general for the purpose of claiming points, they do not need to be the same :cute:

Hi Dean, My DH (the main applicant) has applied as an accountant. He had to sit the academic IELT's :cute: It may be worth noting (but not panicking) but accountant is flagged on the list - doesn't necessarily mean anything will happen to it, but I would lodge an EOI asap just in case :cute: Best of luck :wubclub:

Oh no, I bet that is so frustrating for you, so you are still none the wiser :mad::err:

Hi xlornax, have you submitted yet, and if so did you get a request for the subject access thing? We are in the same position, one report states no live trace, but we did declare everything. So just wondering if i should get the ball rolling as it takes 40 days according to the website :confused:

Got our police checks back today, so sent them on to the agent. Thats everything uploaded for us, now its the waiting game...... :wub:

Glad it went well Vanduex :wubclub: that turn around time is not too bad at all. Nearly at the finish line :jiggy:

Wow that was so quick. Brilliant news, Congratulations :jiggy: