Brummy

I'm not able to access the Pet Carriers website! Is anyone else having the same trouble? Not very reassuring.

Thanks Lady Rainicorn. We're flying from Melbourne. How well did your kitty cope with the journey? I'm a bit worried for our girl going through the journey. She's a timid dainty girl. Hi Bob, Thank you for your help. Oh, so we definitely have to do the rabies vaccination ourselves then? It doesn't come part and parcel of the whole pet travel company? Does it matter if it's been more than 21 days since she's had her rabies vaccination? I'll have a chat with the ones you've mentioned and see what they can do. Thanks again!

Oh no! Although I was aware they're UK based, I was hoping they had a branch here! It's really hard to find one with good reviews and a good track record. I'm really starting to worry now.

Hi, We're hoping to return to the UK soon with our sweety Kitty, and I'm totally lost as to what's required- apart from everything I've already read up on, on the UK Gov website. Do we need to go and get the rabies vaccination done ourselves, or is this part and parcel of what Pet Air does? Does pet Air arrange for the passport and everything that's required? What sort of costs can we expect? Will our kitty be on the same plane as us? Please help! Thank you.

What you went through was totally shocking! I was totally dumbfounded reading your post, and how after paying up $4200, the IELTS didn't even matter anymore! Sorry you had to go through such a horrible and emotionally stressful experience. I actually read your post out to a friend last night, who is going through something similar, and I wondered whether you could perhaps shed some light on some of the questions he had. These are his questions: 1- Regarding the bold part, what sort of documents did you have to provide from your end and your employer's end? 2- How did you manage to complete the nomination on their behalf? Isn't the employer obliged to log in on the ENS website to fill their part in? 3- How did you pay for the employer's $500 fee? Did you use your own bank card to do this, and was this not an issue? 4- My manager has stated that he can issue a letter stating that I've been working with them etc, is this all that's required from the employer's side? Thank you

Thank you for the link, Snifter. I'm reading up now. I'd really appreciate if anybody with experience can provide an insight and a breakdown of costs and what to expect, etc.

Hi, Has anybody gone back to the UK and taken their cat(s) with them? Our Kitty is spayed and micro-chipped. Does anybody know if the Australian microchips are acceptable and whether they'd be readable using the UK scanners? Am I right in saying that our cat wouldn't have to be quarantined upon arrival? Which pet agency did you use? And what was included? Appreciate any help and advice on this!

Yes, I thought so too. Thanks.

I have several questions on behalf of a friend: Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hi, Does anybody here work in a childcare profession using a UK qualification? If so, would you be able to shed some light on how things work here, and which qualifications are recognised and accepted here? Thank you.

Thanks Marisa. :smile:

I found the answer. It still goes to Manila!

Can individuals now apply for UK visas from within Australia? Or does it still go to the hub in Manila- Philippines?

There's no one better to have that first cuppa with than mum. <3 I agree with you, I think people can really underestimate how much is involved- it's such a huge emotional upheaval. You can't help think and dwell on everything you're missing out on by being so far away from family, and friends. Wow, that would be so lovely to see a thick blanket of snow beneath us! I miss the snow, and the cold too! Thanks Rosie, I'll be thinking of you as your return time approaches. :smile: Best wishes to you too. Let us know how it goes.

So long as you've never felt Australia was "home," you're definitely doing the right thing. Just the thought of being on the plane and seeing the beautiful greenery beneath just as the plane is hovering above the UK makes me long for that sight and moment all the more. ( as apposed to the dry arid land we see hovering above Australia :wink: ) I wish you all the best Rosie. Enjoy your cuppas when you get back. :smile:

Yes, I was taken aback upon arrival! Thank you! :smile:

Yes, I think the general mentality in the UK is that the "grass is greener" elsewhere. I remember when we first landed in Brisbane, and we were staying at a furnished apartment, one of the first people I came across that worked there happened to be from New Zealand. He said that he moved to AU with his wife thinking the grass was greener here, but ended up regretting it, but felt he couldn't go back because he'd left everything to come here and he was already the "black sheep " of the family. He went into a lot more detail , which had me immediately dreading our stay here! For me, I couldn't live with that feeling, and I'd do whatever I could to return home. There is no life without happiness, peace and contentment.

That's very true, I couldn't have put it better myself. I thought with the common Queen and the Commonwealth etc, we'd have more in common, but this certainly wasn't the case!

9 months of the year?! People need to get out more and see the World! Or see the UK in this case. I've had to correct the "dark and gloomy" misconception on numerous occasions! Yes, loving a place is different- I love Thailand, but my heart isn't there either. Would I leave Australia for Thailand? Without a doubt, but ultimately my goal is to go home. To hear people calling crisps "crisps" and to be asked if I want some tea rather than coffee!

You've hit the nail on the head and I can totally relate to those feelings. I'm really longing to go back home, and we're currently working towards that. I totally understand the "I'm in Australia feeling." I had no idea it would be so different here. Reading your post echoed my feelings and thoughts exactly- I miss everything, and I love the rain, and yes, we get heatwaves too for all those that think England is always grey. Just being on this forum- having so many people relate is amazing. So happy for you, treasure every moment. Home is where the heart is.

You're welcome! Yes, that's my worry too! Our AU visas expire on the 31st of Jan, and I'm worried about timing too! :eek:

As long as you're in a country legally- for work purposes or otherwise, you can apply based on the evidence in my last post.

I just found this. So it looks like the only requirement is that the visa for the country you're applying from is valid at the time of application?

Unfortunately not.

Thank you for your reply Chicken66. Yes, we're able to show we meet the financial requirement. Although the drastic drop in the AU dollar is not helping our case at all. The more it drops, the longer we're having to wait! I believe they use the OANDA closing exchange rate at the time of application to determine the GBP equivalent, but I'm yet to get confirmation as to how they determine whether the GBP equivalent has been held in the account for a period of six months, and whether they use the six month old exchange rate or use the closing rate at the time of application for that too. Any ideas at all?