Canada2Australia

My 186 DSE was granted in less than two months. I think they love us Canucks Down Under

This is the route I woul have taken if I didn't get my 457 for OZ. I got my two-year WHV and could have landed a job there, did my time to get at least PR status and then head to OZ. I still have my NZ WHV as a "just in case" should things go south in OZ, but I'm hoping not to excersise that option.

Awesome news buddy. Very happy for you!

Yup, I arrived yesterday. I will be in Melbourne and Sydney for a bit before I actually moved to Darwin in mid February. For now, I am just enjoying my time off before work starts. It's a great way to start a new life before getting back to the reality of working!

Well, flight leaves tomorrow. I think I took care of everything but will likely have forgotten one or two small things; no biggie. Said my goodbyes to most people. I've moved across my own massive country before, but never half way around the world!! I have a whole lot of emotions going right now; such as is this the right decision? will I succeed or fail at my new job? will I succeed or fail at living in another country? is this really the right decision for me as a person? do I really want to leave Canada? Of course I'm still going, but its amazing how all of this comes to light right before you leave. Just natural of course. Still exciting!

You likely will. Just keep the faith

They have recently changed the requirements for medicals (changed on November 20, 2015), but this is mostly for people from high-risk countries. I'm from Canada (low-risk country) and was never required to submit a medical or chest x-ray exam prior to my visa grant last week. I believe it is mandatory for all applicants from hisk-risk countries to complete a medical and chest x-ray, but I could be wrong.

Thanks. This is indeed the best Christmas gift ever!

Well, I just checked my Immuaccount, and behold; Visa finalised December 24th!!!! So it's now official!!! I guess I must have just made the cut prior to the holidays. I hadn't checked my account in about 5 or 6 days, but something told me to check, and I'm very glad I did! I am very thankful to the Good Lord for him giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity. Without him, none of this would be possible. I suggest everyone keep the faith; your time will come PS, I'm assuming it's been granted based on the status of "finalised"; I hope I'm right in my assumption So my timeline is as follows: Visa application and nomination launched November 26th (nothing in between) Visa granted December 24th. Four weeks exactly.

NVM, I saw your time on a previous post. Looks like our times were about the same

When was yours granted again, dv4, and how long did it take?

Yup. I leave January 8th (start date is February 22nd). Gonna do a bit of vacay and start getting things set up. I made sure to include my January 8th departure date on the application, in hopes that Immigration sees it and speeds things up a little. Looks like it may have worked in my favor

Thanks dv4. Indeed a great gift! The nomination and 457 visa application were lodged November 24th (sponsorship already granted). Granted December 24th, so four weeks exactly from time of lodging to time of grant.

Well everyone, I hadn't checked my Immuaccount in about 5 or 6 days figuring that the holiday season would yield no result in my visa application. I decided to check about 15 minutes ago because something told me I should check it. Lo and behold, the status changed to "finalised" as of December 24th. So based on that, I'm assuming that my 457 was granted December 24!!! So I'm officially moving to Darwin!!! I'm still in a bit of shock. I was expecting no movement until well into January due to the holiday season. Instead, I ended up with the best Christmas gift ever!!! I am so thankful to our Lord for blessing me with this opportunity of a lifetime; this is only happening because of him! So I would suggest everyone stay faithful; your time will come soon enough

Well everyone, I hadn't checked my Immuaccount in about 5 or 6 days figuring that the holiday season would yield no result in my visa application. I decided to check about 15 minutes ago because something told me I should check it. Lo and behold, the status changed to "finalised" as of December 24th. So based on that, I'm assuming that my 457 was granted December 24!!! So I'm officially moving to Darwin!!! I'm still in a bit of shock. I was expecting no movement until well into January due to the holiday season. Instead, I ended up with the best Christmas gift ever!!! I am so thankful to our Lord for blessing me with this opportunity of a lifetime; this is only happening because of him! So I would suggest everyone stay faithful; your time will come soon enough

Pardon the threadbomb, but what is this talk of bonuses for drivers licenses and is it available to Canadians as well.

I will pray.

It's still only Christmas Eve on this side of the planet, but on behalf of Canada, here is wishing you a Merry Christmas and a save and blessed holiday season! Joyeux Noel!

No worries. People like that do exist all over. Unfortunately, far too many Albertans are redneck hillbillies. I lived in that province for 12 years. I lost my job there a few years ago and had to leave, but I was all too happy to start anew back home. Right now Alberta is in deep doodoo. They are prodominently and oil and gas economy. Because of the falling value of that resource their once robust economy is sinking and tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs and will likely continue to do so for the next few years. Many of them are transient oil patch workers from the east coast, lots of whom didn't save any money for hard times are now belly up financially after having spent all their money on toys and booze. The situation is pretty much identical to Western Australia's mining boom.

Since you did bring it up voluntarily and it appeared that it was something that stuck in your craw about Canada, naturally I was curious to know your experience.

Can you please elaborate on how your Canadian in-laws are "xenophobic"? I'm really curious to know how you came to this conclusion. If you say they are from Quebec, then I'll give you a pass on that one

I'm not sure why you are assuming that I'm only coming for the warmer weather??? Just because I'm from a northern climate, perhaps???? That is only a small reason why I'm looking elsewhere. I've already alluded to a few reasons why I'm looking for a change of scenery outside of Canada, and the weather is only a small part of the big picture

This area looks VERY similar to the Shuswap area of British Columbia. Picturesque valley-bottom village with large pseudo-mountains covered in forest and constant wild forest fires; just lacking the lakes though. I will have to check it out one of these days.

I was actually looking into France (we have an office in Grenoble) as it is one of our up-and-coming offices and looking to expand it's services (plus I'm fully bilingual in French), but again, there is no demand for my specific trade there. Too bad as that would have been an experience of a lifetime. I came to Australia for the summer this past year, and found out I have a real shot of immigration in this country (fell in love with it too) so I decided to go where the demand lies.

Because there is no outside demand for my trade in the UK, and I refuse to move to the US.