Jonno1981

Just now, JonandSophietravel said:

Accepted

To be fair, happy to have both if some people aren't on WhatsApp. Just off to the shops but I'll make a facebook group too.

Thanks Jon.

My wife uses group chats on Messenger to keep in touch with her friends. They use it all the time to arrange get togethers. Just a thought.

11 minutes ago, JonandSophietravel said:

Ok, looks like WhatsApp is the winner for the group chat  

Those who wish to join, PM me your number and I'll set it up. If you want to add me on Facebook too it's Jon "Genie" Hunter.

I’ve never used WhatsApp, but I’ve sent you a friend request on FB. 

21 hours ago, JonandSophietravel said:

Sooooooo we've decided to put our flat on the market before we've got the visa.
Crazy risky I know but we really want to avoid the reduced buyer numbers in the summer and the delay that doing all the marketing and conveyancing would have if we waited for the Visa, which could still be months away.
And we pretty much outgrew it last year but haven't moved as been waiting for Aus so whatever happens we need to leave.
Fingers crossed

I think it’s the right decision. Hope you find a buyer fast. 

Our conveyencer called today to say they’re expecting contracts to be exchanged on our property next week or the week after. I’ve requested a 2 week delay from exchange to completion, which should be enough time to get John Mason’s in.

It’s manic round ours at the moment. Boxing stuff up to ship, selling items we don’t want to take, and throwing crap we’ve accumulated over the years (a skip will be required!!!). All this whilst keeping our 3 year old son entertained!!!

I’ll hand my notice into work the same day we exchange contracts. I’m supposed to give them a month, but I’m hoping they let me go early as they are aware of my intention to emigrate. 

So all being well we will be leaving UK late April/early May. The intention is to make a few stops in Europe first for a couple of weeks, then head over to Darwin, hire a car and spend 3-4 weeks travelling down the east coast all the way to Adelaide. 

We are looking at renting in Adelaide whilst on the 489 visa, partly because I’m not prepared to commit to a purchase before we have that permanent 887 visa in our hands, but also because the ultimate goal is to relocate to SE Queensland after the 887 visa has been granted. 

Things may change over the next couple of years and who knows we may end up staying in South Australia after we get permanent residency, but either way I feel renting gives us more flexibility to decide when the time comes.

Just now, Renault said:

3 minutes ago, Jonno1981 said:

Congratulations [mention=273552]Renault[/mention].

I wish it was me! Lol.. this was posted by someone else in another thread.

Ah sorry, I misunderstood your post.

22 minutes ago, Renault said:

Posted in another thread. "Hi all, just thought to update, we have been granted today. Direct grant:) applied on 5th November. I took less thn 4 months. I hope all you waiting, get grant asap. Wish me luck;) a new journey is going to start I am exited and nervous at the same time:)"

Congratulations @Renault.

2 hours ago, Rachandian said:

2 hours ago, Jonno1981 said:

Our son is 3 now. We have been sponsored by South Australia on a subclass 489 visa (4 year provisional). After 2 years in Australia, we’ll hopefully move onto the subclass 887 permanent visa.

How have your family been with you moving?

I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t created some tension, but it doesn’t change the fact we are going. They will either come to terms with it or not, that’s their choice. 

13 minutes ago, Rachandian said:

42 minutes ago, Jonno1981 said:

I first visited Australia in 2005 and immediately fell in love with the country. Ever since I have longed to live there, but like you and many others, family was always the sticking point. However, since having our son in 2016 the focus shifted more towards what I felt was right for own my family (i.e. wife and son). Our visa was granted this week and we'll be heading to Australia very soon.
Life is short, make the most of it and follow your dreams. 

Ahh amazing ! How old are your little ones ? Will you be trying to get a sponsorship and then try to get residency there ? We are 33 and 35 this year . I think i need to make a plan

Our son is 3 now. We have been sponsored by South Australia on a subclass 489 visa (4 year provisional). After 2 years in Australia, we’ll hopefully move onto the subclass 887 permanent visa.

I first visited Australia in 2005 and immediately fell in love with the country. Ever since I have longed to live there, but like you and many others, family was always the sticking point. However, since having our son in 2016 the focus shifted more towards what I felt was right for own my family (i.e. wife and son). Our visa was granted this week and we'll be heading to Australia very soon.

Life is short, make the most of it and follow your dreams. 

10 hours ago, OffToOz said:

Out of interest how may of you used agents?  really stuck to see if its worth the extra cost.

We used George Lombard Consultancy based in Sydney. I would highly recommend. Great communication via email and when necessary, phone calls.

My initial reason for using a MA was to assist in identifying an occupation on the skills list that matched my work experience and qualifications. This was an extremely difficult task as it was like trying to fit a “round peg in a square hole” as George himself put it.

I also felt using a MA would offer peace of mind that the process was followed correctly. 

As it turns out, my wife had a number of medical issues that could of caused complications/delays with our application. The specialist support we got from George and his team in this regard was invaluable.

For us, money well spent.

4 hours ago, Jenki75 said:

Keep us posted on what you find out about the entry date. Very interesting that it's June. 

I’ve just been told it’s to do with my wife’s past TB. She’s been given a health issue clearance, which is only valid for 6 months from when she did her medical. She has to enter Australia and get checked out medically within the first 4 weeks.

It’s lucky I decided to sell our house when I did otherwise this could’ve resulted in an additional trip over to Australia.

1 hour ago, leighmarsh151084 said:

Congrats on the grant. Can't wait for that feeling haha.

Thanks @leighmarsh151084,

Hopefully you’ll hear something soon.

2 hours ago, JetBlast said:

Sorry about the alate reply - really busy at work at the moment so working long hours. 

Congratulations! When do you think you will make the move?

Thanks @JetBlast,

For some unknown reason we have to make first entry by 14th June!!!??? I’m going to ask my MA about this as I believe we submitted our initial police check around October/November 2018. 

Anyway, it doesn’t really affect our plans, which are to hopefully leave UK April/May, travel a bit of Europe for 2-3 weeks, then fly to Darwin. We then intend to hire a car and spend 3-4 weeks travelling through Northern Territory, Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and finally South Australia. 

14 hours ago, JonandSophietravel said:

You've inspired us to kick it up a gear. As you've got yours now, I'm feeling really positive about ours now. We were going to wait until after the visa grant to start sorting on the flat and put it on the market but we're going to start selling and charitying everything and get the flat professionally cleaned ready for viewings. Even if it takes another couple of months to get the grant, it'll take a while to sell and complete so should work out nicely.

And our flat is tiny and over-stuffed, so gonna put a load of stuff in storage too. That will definitely help

And if everything goes to hell, we have wanted to move from here for ages anyway..... Please god don't let that happen but still.

I’ve just noticed our first entry date is specified as 14th June 2019!!! I’m pretty sure we didn’t start requesting police/medicals until October/November 2018. I thought we were supposed to get 12 months from date of earliest...???

It doesn’t affect us as we will head over before June anyway, but it’s a good job we sold our house already or we would have had to go on a validation holiday at extra cost.

15 hours ago, JonandSophietravel said:

WOOOOOOO Congratulations. Well before your exchange of contracts!

Thanks @JonandSophietravel,

I’ve been extremely lucky with timing.

16 hours ago, gurinder kaur said:

Congrats ,It came through, cheers

Cheers, yes this morning.

Visa granted!!! 

11 minutes ago, D32 said:

To all of you planning to travel from the UK - have you picked a transport company for your belongings? 

Possibly Seven Seas, but not really put much thought into it yet. 

6 minutes ago, JonandSophietravel said:

Just saw a visa grant that came through today on the spreadsheet - direct grant and applied on Nov 10th, so 100 days. Hopefully, this means they're still moving forward as well as clearing the backlog.

Maybe Jonno, Jenki and Renault won't be too far to go......

Oh I hope so. 

Searches are being done on our house, which will take around 12 weeks to complete. Be nice to have the visa before exchange of contracts so we can relocate direct to Australia. 

1 hour ago, JonandSophietravel said:

Or the first few can have a meet up when 3 or 4 from our thread have arrived. And then can do add-on meet ups as more of us make it there. Like a welcome to Adelaide party every time some new makes it? And we can share the beer cost!

That would be a great way to welcome new arrivals.

48 minutes ago, leighmarsh151084 said:

1 hour ago, Jonno1981 said:

107 days for us. Wife and child included, but no additional points claimed. 

Have you had any form on CO contact Jonno? I'm only on day 60 and starting to drive me nuts already haha.

Yes, first one in early December (medical & police) and again in January (wife’s medical declaration).

1 minute ago, Renault said:

. 90 days and counting . I've also included my wife in the application and claimed points for her as well. Guess that's why it's taking bit longer. Anyone else with similar situation?

107 days for us. Wife and child included, but no additional points claimed. 

Is anyone else going crazy waiting for their visa grant???!!! 

Honestly I don’t think a minute goes by without me thinking about it .

I’ve coped up till this point by focusing on the process, but now all that is left to do is wait and it’s driving me nuts!!!

3 hours ago, JetBlast said:

3 hours ago, Renault said:

It's only noise, nothing concrete there & I agree with[mention=273086]Mercury[/mention], it will only be applicable for visas applied after the announcement date. My consultant told me since we've applied for 489 with the condition of 2 years, 5year rule whenever that may happen won't apply to us.

But the change will be to the 887 visa not the 489 visa. This visa we haven't applied for yet.

Say they do increase the requirement of the 887 to 5 years, how can the current 489 meet this as it only lasts for 4 years? Surely they’d honour the pre-existing 489’s with the 2 year stipulation for 887?

9 hours ago, Jimbo said:

It's been some journey over the last 3 years, plenty of ups and downs. End in sight now tho

Same here, I expected and found many difficulties throughout this almost 2 year process, but we got through them.

I just want to get there now!!! I’m hopeful we will hear something this month because the last CO contact (January) asked my wife to sign a form declaring she would visit a health clinic within a month of arriving in Australia (extra pulmonary TB 10 years ago). My logic says why would they ask for that if they’re not going to grant the visa soon.