Uhtred

Been a while since I have logged on here.

Applied last September, got granted in Feb this year - shipping has gone and am now 6 weeks away from my one way flight to Brisbane.

On 7/14/2017 at 11:57, MrsRich said:

So, overall it took 5 weeks and 2 days! We are still in shock (understatement!) and can't quite believe that it happened so quickly. We don't really have a plan as yet, but will be heading to sunny Bris-vegas as that is where most of our friends and family are.

Mrs Rich - I see you are heading there too? We've also got friends and family but would good to meet - have a fellow expat around.

To anyone else heading to Brisbane, perhaps we could plan a PomsinOz meet, share some stories etc.

The in-laws are from Mackay and that's where we were in February just gone. Been a couple of times now.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but wherever you stay just check the flood history. They've had it quite bad a few times and home insurance premiums are very high (as are the excesses) for flood risk areas.

We're moving to Brisbane in August and the only reason it's not Mackay is because of work. It's in a brilliant location, is only 1.5hr flight from Brisbane and 4hr drive from Townsville. Not to mention the Whitsundays and the GBR.

There's also an abundance of cheap rentals in Mackay at the moment so you'll never be stuck for somewhere to live.

And if he's recovered and you're over by then, Elton John is playing there in September.

On Mon Mar 27 2017 at 10:32 AM, JRJones said:

Hi all,

Mrs J and I fly out to Brisbane on Sunday for a holiday (Brisbane) so going to book in some time with a real estate agent to discuss options for when we move out at the end of the year. I'm just wondering if anybody else has done this or similar and if it was fruitful or not.

Thanks!

Jamie

We were over in Feb but wasn't in Brisbane for long at all. As we are staying with friends at first we wasn't too fussed about looking. Would definitely recommend it though, even if just for advice on your next steps.

Always good to not commit to a purchase too until you know where you want to work etc.

Been a while....hope everyone is well.

Officially leaving the UK 31/08 one way to Brisbane. Flights are all now booked and my partner has started selling furniture etc.

Can't believe how quickly it's come around to be honest.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the other side.

I hadn't posted since the grant but just to confirm. Now in Oz. Applying for Tax number, bank account and medicare today.

 

Job hunting tomorrow.

 

Well maybe next Monday.

Let me know how you get on fella. We've already got the account, asked medicare if they could start processing me but said I need my visa number.

So as per the other thread I've finally been granted and have to be back by 11/09/17 to activate.

Home from holiday 20/03 so booking one way return for end of August and will start selling things etc.

Crazy. It all begins now....

Wow....a real flurry today....I got a phone call at 12.30....grant st 1pm!! Yay!!!we're all on our way ??

Ahhhh have just seen yours too Vicki.

Superb. We've had a few drop in quick succession haven't we.

They only went and bloody granted it today.

 

See signature for dates.

 

 

Whoop Whoop.

Happy for you fella. Can enter Oz, activate and live the dream. Top top news.

The email I received says that I need to let them know when I am leaving and I need to depart for a minimum of 5 days just to ensure the system processes everything. We've both said we will just wait and come back permanently before 11/09 anyway. Pretty sure when I called they said 3 days so assuming the 5 days is just a generic timeline they send.

I knew they'd grant it after I had landed - did chase them before but the call handler quoted 10-14 months and that was that.

Chris/Vicki - I won't sit here and say just wait etc as we've seen it all before. The waiting has been so difficult but can only assume yours is close now.

So I've just woken up in stifling heat and checked my emails....

Someone has a grant letter sitting there!!

Over the moon really that it's finally been granted but gutted it couldn't have been 4 days ago before I travelled. I've now got to be back by 11/09/17 as that's when my police check expires.

But....at just over 5 months I've been granted. Finally.

Party time.

Immigration didn't mention my visa application at all. Scanned our passports and through we went.

Landed in Sydney.

No grant.

Fun.

6 working days before I fly. Would love for my visa in that time. 5 months, 20 days.

At the airport now about to board - No grant mate

I submitted 5 - all from Australian friends.

Only 3 of them had both the form and ID verified - the other 2 only got the form witnessed.

You must be in a queue to be granted good to know that there is nothing outstanding.

 

I'm sure the last 2 that got granted and they applied after you were for 309 not 100, maybe there is a bit of a wait for the 100.

 

Pain but you calling may have made note to speed things up.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

We all apply for the 309 initially don't we? That's what I applied for - can only go straight to 100 if you've been together X amount of years or have a child and together over 2 years. Even then, I think you only ever find out the visa youve got when you get the grant email.

To be fair he couldn't tell I'd done my police and medical checks and had to tell him so they must only have a basic view.

Just called the embassy to bring up again me leaving for Aus on holiday this Thursday...

Got told that the wait is still 10-14 months and my CO will be aware my file has been noted to say I am going away. They will also see I'm in Oz as it's all recorded electronically.

When I brought up the fact there are so many grants being issued to people who applied after me he said that they must have applied for compelling circumstances to fast track the application.

Did say I had nothing outstanding but if I need a police check and medical my CO would contact me. I then explained I had already done these to which I was told 'that's good, it will help'.

So in a nutshell I'm in the same position and been told I just have to wait. All good fun.

Pressed the button and paid the massive bucket of cash Dec 13.

Wife is Aus, met 9 years ago and been married for the last 2.5 years with no kids.

Waiting for instruction before doing medical and PC.

As simple as it gets.

 

 

Hurry up and wait :laugh:

Haha good luck mate. Gets a bit tedious a times and there's no real order to when you'll get your additional documents request.

These forums help.....until someone gets a grant who applied after you :biglaugh:

Vicky is start of September too. 4 of us all waiting, all I assume straightforward too.

Crazy this process.

So frustrating...I front loaded, medical.. police checks etc and have even just uploaded another police check as mine was due to expire may time :-(

My worry now is that I either get the email when I'm in Oz on holiday or get granted weeks before my police check and medical expires. Gives us zero time to do anything.

Don't feel bad Rhi - not your fault. You just got the luck of the draw with a CO who's smashing through their grants.

If I wasn't going to Oz this week I wouldn't care less. Yes I knew the advertised waiting time too but saw a host of 5 month grants and assumed I'd get on on that too.

It's on Australiavisaforum.com

Applied 16/09 with front loaded police checks and provide medical 15/12. Got a request to provide an additional police check in Jan, uploaded 15/02 and grant 20/02.

That's the 3rd one I've seen granted who applied after me. I front loaded and have had zero contact whatsoever. Seems that those getting requests are getting their grants further which makes zero sense.

It's on Australiavisaforum.com

Applied 16/09 with front loaded police checks and provide medical 15/12. Got a request to provide an additional police check in Jan, uploaded 15/02 and grant 20/02.

That's the 3rd one I've seen granted who applied after me. I front loaded and have had zero contact whatsoever. Seems that those getting requests are getting their grants further which makes zero sense.

UK grant on another forum....

He applied 16th Sept and granted today.

Cool, what do you do for a living?

I work in insurance as an underwriter although have a degree in education. Not entirely sure what I want to do on the other side, will just depend on what suits the family at the start.

How about you?

Yes we are! I don't know about the fair as don't really go into Littlehampton. We come from Worthing the other direction before we moved here.

 

Where are you from then?

I live in Caterham which is just outside Croydon. Everyone has heard of Croydon haha.

Work with a few boys from the south coast, they're all a glutton for the southern rail punishment.