mhaffie

On 3/28/2018 at 02:51, brock79 said:

Our daughter turns 5 in May and our son is 18 months old.
We had quotes from Doree Bonner, PSS and Britannia removals but we went with Doree Bonner in the end.  They were good at this end but I'll reserve judgement until we see it all in Oz! ha

We we’re really impressed by Doree Bonner at a migration exhibition, I’d be really grateful if you could let me know you get on with them, they were going to be our choice too.

Nooo lots of different topics are discussed on this site, it’s all related really.

I think air con and a pool is a must in Cairns, there’s lots to consider when living there. Regarding your previous comment about it being an expensive destination, couldn’t agree more, eating out and accommodation takes a large part of your budget, unfortunately we won’t be moving out during the visa validation period (if I get it) so that will be another big expense, we won’t gallivanting like we usually do, it will probably be just for a couple of weeks and just one location.

Need to avoid the rainy season I suppose.  Humidity is easier to cope with if it's a beach/pool holiday or in a city with air conditioned shops and restaurants. I think Singapore is the most humid place I've visited. Some people manage to stay looking dry regardless.
Is it OK to discuss this in the visa forum?!!  Don't want to be blacklisted.

I don't mind any levels of heat but Sydney is very humid which my hair in particular hates!  Cairns will definitely be on our "to do" list.  Australia isn't exactly a budget holiday destination which makes it an expensive add-on when visiting Sydney.  
I hope my two 888s are sufficient as like you we have a very long marriage!  I didn't feel family ones had as much weight as friends. I agree you should add the other one on later and get your application in especially as you want to do it over the Easter break.

We stayed in trinity beach Jan 2017, it’s a great base to explore things, we adapt to the humidity quite quickly when we are there but I have to say it can sap your energy, heat rash is unpleasant and my other half has experienced that on a few visits, he has to be careful what he sprays on himself as it can really aggravate it ...btw, love the Daintree region it’s beautiful.

Cairns really is lovely, we stayed in Trinity Beach in Feb 2017. It was quite quiet but good for trips like Daintree Rainforest and GBR. It is extremely humid there though, I get heat rash quite a lot on holidays but it’s manageable. However in Cairns it was really really bad and unbearable most days, definitely ruined a bit of the experience for myself ☹️

I think you would like Cairns as long as you can cope with the humidity, it’s a beautiful place and there’s lots to see, it’s very laid back...it’s nice to hear other people’s stories and to know their destinations...I still haven’t had the 888 back I’ve been waiting for so I’ll probably submit without it, I hate keep pestering people, I’m sure it won’t make a huge difference to our application we’ve been together a very long while and have lots of evidence.

We were in the Whitsundays last year, we stayed at Shute Harbour not far from Airlie and then Hamilton Island, it’s a lovely spot, great to visit but quite remote, too far from the shops for my liking, but great place to explore, there’s so many lovely places to see, Warren was born in Adelaide, his parents went out there years ago on the ‘assisted passage scheme’ but came back in 1971... they went out there with two kids and came back with four, hence his dual citizenship.

I think it’s quite normal to be honest, we are all in the same boat and if we weren’t a bit anxious and excited there would be little point in applying. Sydney, wow, lovely, we’ve spent a fair bit of time there it’s a wonderful place, as you say very expensive tho, but I love the place and see the attraction. Its nice your daughter is there, makes life a lot easier. We are hoping to go to Cairns, we’ve visited it more than anywhere else and it’s the place we feel most at home.

I actually remembered incorrectly.  The sponsorship status says "submitted".  You're right and it's just obsessive, impatient behaviour although it sounds quite normal from what you read on here.  Sydney is our destination, most expensive city unfortunately.  It's the only place we're familiar with and our daughter lives there.  What about you?

Hi Laf, I believe the status does change but wouldn’t like to guess when that would be, checking for updates and emails is all you can do really, although you aren’t in any mad rush I imagine it’s still an anxious wait, it’s nice to see progress, if you don’t mind me asking where in Australia are you hoping to settle?

Thanks, it reminded me of school medicals a very long time ago!  Good to see you have the same idea to wait till prompted for the police check.  I'm definitely not in a rush, more would just like to know I've got it and when I'll need to book a trip to activate it! I'm logging on daily to check for updates in case any emails go astray. The sponsorship form still says received, I don't know whether the status will change.   

Hi Laf, I’m glad your medical is over, something else to check off your list. To be honest the booklet needs removing and it’s about time they updated the procedure. I’m not sure whether it would be an option going to your GP but it does makes sense. I’ve not done my police checks, like you I would wait till I was prompted, although I want my visa I’m not in any mad rush, other things need to fall in place first so I’m happy just to wait for instruction. I just looked through ACRO paperwork yesterday when you asked about the endorser, lots of people must encounter these sort of problems, so I’m sure they’ll point you in the right direction.

Thanks mhaffie. I had my medical today. The site has acknowledged it and says the system will be updated when they have the results.  The possibly out-of-date information booklet says the office will advise when police checks are required so I think I'll wait to see when they ask then enquire about the endorsement procedure. I've realised going to my GP is an option, I have a feeling they don't have time to sign such things nowadays. Can't remember if you've applied for yours?

Hi Laf,

I read through the front page of the requirements for the police check and could see what you were referring to, I couldn’t actually find any obvious answers for you but looked through ‘frequently asked questions’ it does say that if you don’t have anyone on the preferred occupation list you should contact the ACRO customer services team tel:+44 (0)2380 479 920...hope this helps [emoji5]

Sorry to ask possibly a silly question but how does the police check endorsement work?  I don't have any friends who have known me for two years on their list of occupations. Do I have to go in person to e.g. my GP with documentation?

Oh I hope it’s celebrate [emoji106]

Hi Jon the hat,

Good news your application is in, I’m sure they will locate everything, I would imagine lots of people encounter the same problems, hope you get some good news soon, best of luck with your application [emoji5]

Hi laf,

I’ve seen some screen shots of the online application and it does look confusing, I’m hoping it will make more sense once I see it in full...good luck with your medical on Wednesday and I really hope there’s no maintenance over Easter, it would just be my luck [emoji53]

Hi there, if you aren’t using an 888 form and your witness statements are being typed up as a declaration, then the same questions have to be answered, how often your witnesses see you for example and whether they believe you relationship is genuine and ongoing and the explain your reasons for this etc, they like at least two but I’ve got four, two from friends and two from family, you can send more but I don’t really see the point in sending in too many, waiting for people to return them can also be a long process. [emoji4]

We completed the ‘paper version’ of the sponsor form a while back so we could just transfer the info online when we’re ready, saying that, I do know that it isn’t identical and I should expect some different requests to appear....we are hoping to get it all done Easter weekend, I just wondered whether a day in front of the computer was being optimistic. You sound nice and organised, I’m quite methodical and I’m hoping all my hours of planning helps when I start adding my attachments...lots of experts on the forums say that there often seems like there’s more than one place to attach something and you wonder if it should have gone elsewhere after you have uploaded it, apparently as long as it’s on there the case officers will find it and it shouldn’t be a major concern. Once I’ve got it all uploaded I’ll let you how I got on, I’ll be so relieved when it’s done [emoji5]

Hi laf,

That’s great news, bet you are relieved, how long do you think it took you in total once you had completed your sponsors form? I was wondering roughly how much time to set aside. Our nearest medical centre will be Cardiff, which will probably be about 40 minutes from me so not too bad. I really doubt you’ll be waiting 11 - 15 months from what I’ve read. Our snow is due throughout the night so I’ll not be venturing far tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

The applications do seem to be going through fast so it does make sense, I’ll be submitting mine soon, waiting for an 888 to come back from a family member that is no particular hurry[emoji849]

Morning, this sounds totally different again from what I’ve been reading, things must be constantly changing or there’s different options to take, I’m surprised about medical too, I thought they contacted you about this a little later on. Sounds promising tho... Keep us informed and enjoy your weekend and hope it’s not too cold where you are [emoji4]