macca10

I hope that you don't have to wait that long and that your grant comes as soon as you provide the documentation. I have informed them that our police checks from Japan can take up to two months but am still to hear back from CO - just emailed last night! I will let you know what they say to me too. My wife also has to now do an English test to prove her functional English despite working as a care assistant for the past two and a half years and having studied for the necessary qualification, in English! Frustrating but they have their standards, I guess. Her test is on Thursday - hope she gets the results we need!

@Atlas I was emailed by my CO a document which outlined the extra documents we needed to provide.

I have called them twice to no avail. Even just to get clarification. The first time I was told that I couldn't get help and that I had to wait for my CO to email back the clarification. Which I was told could take up to three months. The second number I tried I waited in a countdown queue (which tells you your position and how long you have to wait) for about 25 mins and was told by the more affable person that she couldn't help me but would put me through to the right department. Dumped in an endless loop queue (no countdown) with no indication as to how long I had to wait. I gave up after a total of 75 minutes on the phone. Very frustrated to say the least but I needed to get sleep! I know some people have got through but it seems to be your luck as to who is at the end of the line. Hope you get through if you try! i am still waiting for an email answer one week on. Maybe I am unrealistic but it is a simple query!

Got no family in Oz but a good friend in Sydney. Hope to be heading there but also looking at Adelaide as it is more affordable. But who knows!? Anywhere, where the sun is out more than Scotland would be great!

I did not get them certified to upload on my immi account, only for my skills assessment.

Jac, I scanned and sent everything as a PDF. No complaints!

The score you needs depends on how many points you are trying to get. For example, you need to get 8.0 (superior English) or over to get 20 points towards your visa - which is what I needed. It it may also depend who you are being assessed by. Check relevant details on websites.

You can get a rough estimate of the visa cost from the government website. What you are given is a list of all the visas you will be eligible for and then the costs for these in the currency of your choice. If you go with an agent then add their fees on top. Good luck.

Talk about striking while the iron is hot! LOL! Just jealous me here!!! We have a few more hoops to jump through before we can get to Oz - like getting the visa finalised and selling our house! All the the best for your move and new futures in Perth!

What is it they say about silver linings? It seems as if you have already planned out your OH's time before you leave! LOL! I have heard those words "odd jobs" before! Hoping for him they are wee odd jobs. BTW I partially completed form 80 just in case but have not been asked for it. It is long but take your time and it is straightforward to complete - just tedious! I hope you ladies find good jobs in nursing as you all do a wonderful job. I can safely say that as I married one - but unfortunately due to child commitments she hasn't practised since we settled in the UK!

Sorry to say I have no advice on this topic but I just wanted to say your actions are very admirable as you are clearly thinking of the welfare of your children! Hats off to you! It just shows you are a much bigger person than your ex as you are thinking of all possibilities to keep your children close to both parents. I hope you get the help you need to find the best solution for you and your children!

I take it you called the Adelaide number. I tried to phone them again after reading your first post but they were finished for the day. Will need to wait until Monday now!!!!! BTW congrats and I hope your hangover doesn't last that long! :wink:

Who did you call? I want to speak them directly myself but as I have been assigned co I have to e-mail!

Dreamboy, I had an issue uploading using an iPad. I changed to a computer and things went ok. Just select the first blank cell and start to fill all your details in. Once finished just close the spreadsheet as the data will be automatically saved.

Just back from the Japanese consulate in Edinburgh where we have been told the application can take up to two months! Bummer!

That is steep for taking a set of fingerprints. Whenever my wife or I have requested (for PCC from Japan) the local police (in Scotland) have done it for free! Strange the difference! Hope things go smoothly for you anyway!

Nicolo I am the main applicant for our 189 PR visa. As far as your question I don't know. I wonder if they are requesting since I had several short trips to Japan to visit family!? I will post information regarding this when it comes back from my CO.

Pinkestlady, just as we'll I'm thick skinned!!! LOL! I know what you mean though and I hope the old police checks we have provided will suffice! Hope they get back ASAP but just in case I am going to Edinburgh tomorrow to the Consulate of Japan to start the ball rolling.

Jacaranda, the thing is that we have already submitted police checks for both of us from the UK police authorities which covers the last ten years+. So I am wondering why we are being requested to send in checks from Japan as well?

Despite the fact that we have resided in the UK since September 2004 our CO has asked my wife and I for police checks from the time we lived in Japan. Has as anyone else been asked for anything similar? I sent a query as on the application forms it states that we have to provide evidence from all countries lived in for the past ten years. Before anyone one says anything, no we don't have anything to hide(!), and I sent our CO old Japanese police checks covering the pertinent time scales. Any experiences shared would be great.

Pinkestlady I hope that things pan out quickly for you and that the shock of your OH's redundancy soon disappears for good! My brother was made redundant recently and was given a nice little payment. Hope that there is one coming your way, too!

Yes, you can keep adding documents. I have done this and no errors or mishaps have been reported from CO who has been assigned today. Good luck!

Assigned CO today (15/04/15) and requested further information - PCC for time spent in Japan and evidence of wife's functional English as she is Japanese! Sent off documents hoping that what I had will suffice??!! Fingers crossed.

Positive thoughts only guys! Positive thoughts and the visa will come!!!

Doctdavis, that is the one thing I can't wait to be able to do! Hoping it won't be too long and then we can start the long process of selling up and moving.