RoyG

I use TransferWise. My last transfer was mid morning oz time and it was in my bank in oz that evening. Only used them twice so far but seem good. They offer a cent less than the exchange rate.

To add to the debate, when came over on an e600 we used Bishops Move and furniture was sent with no problems

Hi Skeelsy

when we were told we were getting the visa, as we were onshore, we had to give our travel details to leave the country within seven days. After we left we would get the visa grant after three working days. We in fact got the grant the afternoon we arrived in Auckland.

We had the request on Wednesday 18 they got it on 20th . We came to Auckland on 26th had the visa grant that day together with the receipt for the money at the same time as the grant

We paid the 2nd vac last Wednesday. Told immi we were going to Auckland today heard nothing. Arrived in Auckland to get a visa grant e-mail when we arrived. All mail came from a team, have never seen the name of a case officer. Hey ho

Hi Calmac

we opened an ANZ account while in we were in the UK, current account and online saver account. They paid an extra 1.8% on top of the usual interest rate for 3 months. we keep opening a new saver account to keep the extra 1.8. they tax you 10% on the interest you receive being overseas. Most people on this site seem to have Australian accounts and there are plenty to choose from

Roy

To make you a little happier, after the request for form 80 etc on 12 May they requested payment today $87,200 by bank cheque or credit card. Have to give them travel arrangements to leave Australia within 7 days. You should almost be there

Had an email from immi this afternoon requesting dreaded form 80 and other bits. They wanted a new uk police check (they ran out in February) sent them an email saying they asked for it 10 months from lodgement date and we hadn't been in the Uk since February 2015. Replied in ten minutes saying not to bother with them. Now we wait for someone to read the form 80. 2 years to the day.

Hi Julie

I like your thinking.....but. The Friday update last week said up to 9th May. We lodged on 12th May 2014 which was a Monday. As no one works weekends and no post on weekends then the next date should, therefore, be 12th May and you can guess our news. We are getting excited at being the first to wait 2 years for a CO

Roy

We emailed Perth on 16th February to change our address from Sydney to Portugal and had a reply this afternoon 17th

Probably 2015, rather than 2014, Roy?

 

When did you actually undertake the medical examination?

 

Best regards.

We did the medicals 25 May 2015

Got that wrong. Had to be commenced 12 months after 12th May 2014

We must have received our HAP numbers when we had our acknowledgment letter on 3rd November 2014. All had to be completed within 12 months from 12 th May 2014. It would be nice and wouldn't take more than a few seconds for an email to say medicals are ok or not. Feel that we have wasted 2 years of our lives not knowing anything.

Hi Bear2015. I am one of the new wave that did not get a HaP no or date to have medical done by. In the 'olden days' 143 were notified approx 3 months before expected to have case officer to go and do their AOS but 173 not asked at this point as no AOS. Then when got to CO both 143 and 173 given Hap no. Then they changed a few years ago that acknowledgement letter of lodging gave hap no and asked meds and AOS done by a year later. This system was stopped round mid April 2014 and we assume reverted to old system as no Hap no given so being in May we didn't get hap no. We know Dolphin1962 who is 9 April did get hap no and HarleyPhil who lodged 23 April didn't get hap no. However HarleyPhil did get notified end of October 2015 with both hap no and asked to sort AOS. So my assumption is we are going back to old system and HarleyPhil should have CO any time now. So we wait - a skill essential as an applicant here to see what happens.

 

After a a long winded start answer is no we haven't had med as not got hap no. Interestingly if you read new health requirement changes implemented nov 2015 I think 173 from now if not received no, are on list which uk is and considered a temp visa which I think it is then we won't be required to fo meds until convert to 143 in 2 years.

 

Anyone see I got something wrong above please jump in and correct me as a mere mortal its nearly impossible to fathom the higher plane thinking of immi!!! Kim

being the quiet type, thought I would mention that we lodged on 12th May 2014 and in due time were given our HAP numbers. Don't know how that goes with your calculations