suelear

2 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

Has anyone else had a problem setting up a new payee on their UK bank account? My UK bank has my Oz phone number but when I tried to set up a new (transferwise) payee the phone call to verify it didn't come through. I then spent half an hour on the phone last night trying to sort it out - with no luck ... soon frustrated. I tried to pay with my debit card but that wouldn't go through either!

I

2 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

Has anyone else had a problem setting up a new payee on their UK bank account? My UK bank has my Oz phone number but when I tried to set up a new (transferwise) payee the phone call to verify it didn't come through. I then spent half an hour on the phone last night trying to sort it out - with no luck ... soon frustrated. I tried to pay with my debit card but that wouldn't go through either!

I haven't encountered any problems so far.What a pain for you.

2 hours ago, Pertenhall said:

So pleased for you, but I do so wish we could hear something.  Hopefully not long now.

 

Excellent news, very pleased for you. The countdown begins!

14 hours ago, SusieRoo said:

I'm no expert, but I think you can open a free 'Borderless Account' with Transferwise and hold money in UK Pounds or AU$ (or other currency). You can then exchange money whenever you wish and you can also make electronic transfers in and out of these borderless accounts in the UK or Australia, just like any normal bank account.

You do get 24h to make payment after you have setup a transfer (with the rate fixed) but if you repeatedly don't make the payment you loose this option.

I think it's always best to try a few small payments to see how everything works in the first instance.

For anyone without an Australian bank account, we opened one with Westpac by just walking into their branch/office in London. It was all very easy and we now get 3.5% interest on savings.

Thanks SusieRoo, I will give this a go.

37 minutes ago, Ray and Geri said:

I think this info is required due to money laundering regulations... I opened an account and have sent money to Oz, once I got the a/c number wrong but the next day they contacted me, I checked and supplied the correct a/c number and funds arrived safely ... all done on line very easily. I know what you mean though about supplying personnel details.. I suppose you just got to go with what you are happy with, it's still a great site for checking exchange rates though even if you haven't got an account. 

I was also asked for ID when I made my first transfer ( I did a small trial transfer to check the system worked and my money got transferred safely) I decided to use my driver's license. Although it said it would take 1-2 days for my ID to be verified and the transaction to go ahead, the funds were actually in my daughter's Oz bank account the same day. Not sure whether any person was involved in the check, suspect it was all done electronically. As far as I can tell this is a well known site which many people on this forum have used successfully and with any type of financial account it is always a requirement to supply ID. As previously stated, I think this is for money laundering purposes, and to ensure you are who you say you are.

17 hours ago, David Leask said:

 

I’ve used Transferwise for a few transfers over the last year. Before that I used UKForex. I believe TW is among the best in terms of costs. Two things are important to me - how much I get at the far end for my £’s and how safe my money is. TW ticks both boxes for me. When I registered with them I didn’t need to provide ID. My transfers so far have been small - £2000 at a time, but many of them. The reason I chose £2k was that this was the limit for using a debit card to pay them. They now charge for using a debit card for all transfers so I have recently set up a bank transfer (which is free) and this works great. At some point my transfers will get bigger and I believe I will be asked for ID then. I won’t have any concerns about providing what they need.

 

I did a small 'practice' transfer with Transferwise which I was very happy with. Fees were sensible & the money was in my daughter's Oz bank account the same day. I also received emails updating me on the progress of the transfer. Does anyone know if there's a way to 'hold' funds in a Transferwise account until I'm ready to move them? I couldn't see an obvious way to do it, so any guidance gratefully received. 

7 hours ago, HarrisL16 said:

We did the same with a uk post office card while we were here in 14/15 the rate when the rate was over $2 worked out much better

The Halifax Clarity card is the same.

On 03/12/2017 at 20:26, LindaH27 said:

From what I can gather  retirement investors have no access to Medicare and have private medical insurance so it would come down to whether the doctors were happy you fit the criteria for Medicare. I do hope everything goes ok for you both - as Catlady says - at our ages we are more likely to have problems. !! It's one of my concerns too especially as I have probably another 2+ years to wait and obviously getting older all the time! Maybe seek professional advice? Good luck ! 

I'm in the same situation as you Linda, but as others have said, this is a parent visa so some medical issue are inevitable as one gets older. One would hope that, as long as any medical issues that have already been identified are appropriately managed, there shouldn't be an issue. I've certainly read of others who have had cancer and other life changing illnesses who have been granted their visa. Good luck all!

1 hour ago, kimboslice said:

As the song goes, one day at a time sweet jesus.

We are currently assessing applications lodged up to and including 26 February 2015.

 

 

That's only moved 1 day in a week! Aargh!

3 minutes ago, elnak said:

Hi Guys and Gals. 

We finally received our request to go for medicals etc. this morning 22 Nov 2017!!

So very happy and excited.

Thank you so much for all your support.

Fantastic news, you must be very excited. Good luck with it all and keep us posted x

11 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

Sulear

Will PM you my mobile number later ... I still have to look it up every time!   Looking forward to meeting you and comparing notes :-)

Ha ha, I expect we will have the same grumbles! 

Just now, suelear said:

Hi Fisher 1, my daughter and her family moved there in June and love it. If you are happy to send me your mobile number via private message I'll contact you when I'm there and we can arrange coffee. Looking forward to it.

If anyone else in the forum lives around that area I'd be happy to sort a date that suits most of us. Just PM me your mobile numbers.

13 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

Hi Suelear.      I've been living in Kiama since September and would love to meet up with anyone from this forum for coffee and a chat. 

Hi Fisher 1, my daughter and her family moved there in June and love it. If you are happy to send me your mobile number via private message I'll contact you when I'm there and we can arrange coffee. Looking forward to it.

19 minutes ago, Kathss56 said:

Lots of us going over for Xmas it would seem. However, I still can’t get used to having a barby on Xmas day! ?

I agree! I'm off on 29 Nov, back on 15 Jan - Sydney and Kiama areas if anyone is around there and fancies meeting up xx

9 hours ago, Catlady2014 said:

You need to log into the Visa Tineline, create your profile and then add your details to the Profile, and you'll then appear in the table.  But the table isn't showing correctly at the moment.  There is a special help/problems thread running for the visa timeline.  

 

Thanks Catlady.

24 minutes ago, Catlady2014 said:

I just tried - same result as you.  It doesn't appear to load all the pages, so you just get page 1 all the time.  I think there is a special thread for problem with the timeline.  

I've just had the same problem. Also, how do I add my details to get on the grid?

17 hours ago, SusieRoo said:

Very simple you apply for a 173 or 143 visa and pay up and wait 3 years. As apposed applying for a non-contributory visa and waiting up to 30 years (if you are lucky enough to live that long).

Ah, I'm with you. I applied for a 143 in March this year, but thought you'd found a way round the 3 year wait. Wishful thinking! 

23 minutes ago, SusieRoo said:

I hope that’s Sydney Harbour? (maybe that nice little beach at Mosman)

And sorry if my post is a bit negative, but I sometimes get a little concerned that we can collectively loose a little perspective. I would love to think that an Australia visa is some sort of prize in a game show (like a Brucie Bonus). But the reality is unfortunately more about hard economics and of course politics. It’s also very sobering to be an immigrant (although a very lucky one with $100k to spend on jumping the visa queue) and it certainly makes me view the world with a more open mind.

Australia’s white history is so relatively young and it’s easy to hear accounts of how tough life was for many even in the last few generations. I love the way Australian society was built and how Australians pride themselves on a shared values and having a ‘fair go’. And for me getting a visa will be a real privilege and I hope I can pay my way and not be too much of burden to many hardworking Australians.  

But, as I climb down from my high horse, I do wish there was a little bit more clarity and certainty in their visa process.

How on earth did you jump the queue SusieRoo?

2 hours ago, Kathss56 said:

Google money transfer companies. Quite a few have good reviews. You can have an online account with them and transfer money via them from your UK bank to Oz. If rate is good (not bad at the moment) you can lock down that rate for a period of time with them. 

I've always found Investec good.

3 hours ago, Ian Ireland said:

Am I correct in thinking that the cost you eventually pay is the price quoted when original application is made? That being the case, it will trigger a landslide when news of appreciable increase breaks. 

They really need to augment the staff in Perth to deal with applications accepted. 

Yes Ian, I believe you are right about the cost. I suspect they haven't increased the staffing in Perth because they want to have total control over numbers they let in. 

26 minutes ago, kimboslice said:

nice to know you are all still there, lets hope immi dont disapoint tomorrow with the update. im guessing 22.2.14

Fingers crossed! I've been hanging on for more news re the new temporary parent visa.

1 minute ago, Zaki said:

We have 5 more Fridays after tomorrow so if we evaluate 4 days in a week meanwhile they will reach to second week of march by 15 the December and I am damn sure after January they will cover backlogs and boost up. 

 

 

I sure hope you're right Zaki.

30 minutes ago, AMP said:

Sorry for the delay in replying  - I haven’t been on the site for over a week. Life is just so full since I made the move over here, plus I’m no longer as neurotic as I was about watching every single development relating to moving to Oz.

Anyway, in reply to your request to join us then I don’t see why not.  I need to take myself down to Southbank so I can identify a good place for us to meet up - and will make sure the location is definitely wheelchair friendly. Will try to go next week and then we can identify a date.

Will look forward to meeting you and the others who decide to join us.

 

 

Although travelling to Sydney for 6 weeks over the Christmas period, I am possibly coming to Brisbane for a couple of days during that time. Depending on which date you arrange, I would love to join you all if that's OK. Would be lovely to meet you all.

19 minutes ago, PSHERE said:

Yes a big disappointment, I was waiting to hear about his also.  Does this mean that it will not be implemented or does it mean it has been delayed?  If anyone has any news I would appreciate if you could keep me updated.

 

I'm hoping it just means they haven't discussed it yet. There doesn't seem to be any real reason why it wouldn't go through, but one never knows with the Australian government! My daughter said there are issues around childcare ie expense and few places, which is one of the reasons for the new visa, as the government does seem to acknowledge that grandparents are a key source of helping with childcare. Just wish they'd get a move on! Can you shed any further light on this Alan Collett? 

3 hours ago, Suzyq said:

I'm surprised no one else have posted anything about the new temporary visa? I've had notification from my agent to say that the bill has not yet been approved.

Source – MIA

Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa – Bill not passed

The Department originally announced that the new five year Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa would be introduced at around this time. However, the Bill enabling the new visa to come into effect has not yet been approved by the Senate.

2nd disappointment.

Oh no, I've been waiting to hear about this, as I'm sure have many others. Hugely disappointed. Thanks for the update Suzyq.

1 hour ago, Kathss56 said:

Not so sure you can do form 80 so early. After all it asks for last 10 yrs travel dates which you still have 3 yrs to add etc.,

I did my form 80 in March when I sent in my application, as advised by my migration agent. I have already stacked up quite a few visits to Australia in the last 13 years that my daughter has been there so they may be happy that is evidence enough of my commitment to emigrate. It also saves them having to ask for additional info, though of course, they may ask for updated info.

6 hours ago, Catlady2014 said:

Congratulations!  I can appreciate everything you say.  For myself, I weighed everything up and decided to wait it out in the UK, although in the final few months I did  start to reconsider going on a 600.  I think it's a really difficult decision for everybody and they can only take full account of their own circumstances and plans.  It's a very stressful experience, whichever way you jump.  I hope you can put it behind you now and enjoy your new life, at long last all the uncertainty is over - very pleased for you.  I've often wondered whether all the stress has ever got the better of anyone! 

I feel the same as you Catlady. I have a long wait ahead, and thought about the 600 but decided to wait until I see what the new temporary visa has to offer. It's all very stressful, as I sold my house a couple of years ago due to spending some time in France, so I'm now renting back in the UK just stuck in limbo. Keep us posted as to your progress.