alansuspect

Hey all, it's been a while since I posted but thought you might like an update.

So I'm Australia! We've been here on the Gold Coast just over 3 weeks now and things have gone pretty well. Miraculously after applying for a million jobs before I got here I heard from one of them and they gave it me in the first week. Finding an apartment took a bit longer as the real estate agents really like to take their time. Also I'm not sure how they do it in England but I've never been to an open house inspection before, which is what they do here, and it's a bit confronting to see all the people you're up against! But we found a nice place and moved in last Friday.

Visa-wise, the border was a breeze. We landed in Brisbane at about 7.30 at night so it was fairly quiet. No questions asked, nothing even mentioned about my visa, and I was straight through. Too easy! Seems like so long ago now.

Other things - I'm surprised by the price of things; when I was here 3 years ago things seemed expensive, when I got back to the UK prices had gone up there, now I'm back things seem to have actually gotten cheaper! I'm still comparing to pounds (great rate at the moment) but that'll soon stop. There are lots of thunderstorms recently which are cool but some weather is damaging property. And Aussie TV isn't great

So yeah, having fun, enjoying the heat and keeping busy!

Hi Alan,

 

Who did you use to ship your items please? My agent recommended PSS, no idea who are good, any info would be great if possible.

 

Still not sure how much either, Ive heard for a 20ft container, its like £3000, and the insurance is £1500, did you pay anythimg like this?

 

Much appreciate it if you could reply to this.

 

Thanks.

 

Iceman7

Hi Iceman, definitely check out the shipping forum as there's lots of helpful info in there. We used Seven Seas, they're pretty popular and seem to have a good reputation. We wanted to do their 'movecube' but being on the IOM they use a 3rd party so we couldn't do it. Ended up shipping about 16 boxes of "stuff" for just under £600. Their online quote calculator is pretty good too.

That's it I couldn't wait two more days.... I've just emailed my case officer!

Good luck!

We shipped our stuff off on Friday. What a weird feeling. One month today we leave the Island for good... scary!

Congrats to all those granted visas!! What's the time frame looking like now? :-)

Mine came through at 9 months 3 weeks exactly. There doesn't seem to be many reaching 10 month mark yet which is a good sign.

AWESOME!!!

 

Is he nice?!

Yeah he's really good, to be honest I think he's been in touch more than other COs have with people (though could be wrong), always checked up to make sure everything is going ok and stuff.

It is AWESOME!!!

AAAAAHHHHH!!!! I just got granted my visa! Straight to 100

My CO even phoned me before to check my circumstances were still ok haha.

Amazing.

Well done Mirella! You applied the day after me so I've got everything crossed now!

Thanks for the update Pookie!

 

Hopefully mines the next one ticked off.... ;o)

Race you!

Hi Ballbox Ive been lucky got mine in 9 months and 1 day

That's ace, I'm at about 9.5 months now so really hoping something comes through soon!

Yeah that's standard. They only really want you sending docs, and there's no way for them to tell whether an email has docs or not.

I've just replied to his original email (which says not to reply to, lol) and asked him what I should do. Hoping he will reply asap. Our PMV has only been in for 2 months so we have a long wait ahead of us yet! Yeah I think so, 10-14 months?

Yeah I've done that before, he seems OK with it. You'll get your tourist visa way before your PMV so I wouldn't worry!

Hi Goose! Yeah I just dropped him an email letting him know what I was doing. I think it will only overwrite your PMV if the visitor visa is granted after the PMV, so if he knows I guess he can be careful! Is the waiting time for PMV the same as Partner visas? If so you shouldn't have anything to worry about

I never even thought of the visa issue, and the moving company don't seem to mention it anywhere. I'm using Seven Seas Worldwide, I wanted to use their MoveCube but they don't do that on the IOM so we're just packing up our stuff into about 10 boxes (mostly clothes, kitchen stuff and other bits and bobs) and shipping it off. Hopefully my visa comes through before I ship it then! I'm guessing it would have to be a PR visa and not an eVisitor one?

It's a list started by Pookie72: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/58449-summary-spouse-visa-processing-times-offshore-uk-please-add-your-stats-1142.html#post1936767798

To be honest, what we are doing tonight is telling our friends as we'd kept it a secret! Mixed emotions! [emoji16]

How on earth have you kept that secret!

Checked my email then saw letter confirming appointed CO, OH, and asking for 2 Docs which I will get from Fiancee in Aus next month when I visit and saying not to apply for Police Checks and Medicals until Dec 11th 2015, even though I did them already. Oh well!!

OH is my CO too, he's pretty good with keeping in touch.

Visa GRANTED... 9 months 2 weeks 6 days! To say I'm on cloud nine is an understatement! What a day. .. celebrated my little boys 2nd birthday yesterday and more celebrating to do tonight! Xx

That's awesome! I've really got my fingers crossed now!

I think they've forgotten about us

When I told my CO I was flying out in October he said to get in touch before I go and he might be able to help get the visa sorted.

thanks for that just wanted to make sure it will be ok......

Just another stupid question...... How do I let my CO know? As last time i tried to email him the automated message said it was for sending documents only and I never got a reply....

Good point, I should probably let my CO know... I think they only get in touch with you if it's important, probably once they get the info it's assumed they know?

Actually, I've been a bit naughty and often reply to the initial email my CO sent as he seems to respond to it. Someone else replied to it once and told me not to use it again but I did anyway. Maybe it won't work now the website has changed? Who knows!

We really need to go by 12th Sept, can i go on a visitor visa while Im waiting? Just want to make sure it wont affect my partner visa application...

Yeah get an eVisitor visa, you can stay there for 3 months at a time but you can't work. That's what I'm doing (unless my PR is granted before I go).

Grants,grants,grants! Where are you?

Was just thinking the same thing! I've never seen this forum so quiet

Well thanks to advice from Yorkshire123 we've booked our flights to Oz!

 

Flying at the start of November stopping for a week in Bali!

 

Now if only I had a visa.....

I know that feeling, looks like you applied the same day as me! I'm really hoping mine comes dead on 10 months, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. What date are you arriving in Aus?

Quick question for anyone who has or is heading to Australia on a tourist visa before there Visa has been granted. Do you have to have a return flight ticket or is it okay to fly out on a one way ticket?

I've got a one-way ticket booked. I'm hoping my visa will be granted before I go but I should have enough money to show I can "holiday" there and fly to NZ/Bali/wherever when I need to. Also my tourist visa will cover the maximum estimate for the visa grant, if it gets to that.

Speaking to potential employers is not the same as applying for jobs - I would absolutely start networking - be absolutely honest and up front about your visa situation but start making contacts in companies you'd like to work for.

Thanks Lady Rainicorn, I think that's the best approach. I'm getting in touch with some agencies too as they probably deal with this kind of stuff a bit more.

Who does the CO work for?

Not sure I understand, he works for DIBP at the Australian High Commission in London.

No worries, seems like it's probably not a great idea to speak to potential employers before my visa is granted.