NatS259

18 hours ago, Lady Jane said:

Great news, hope she has a safe journey,  we landed in Perth on the 31st of March. So relieved we eventually got here. 

Congratulations! She’s all checked in and flies in 1.5 hours so fingers crossed we’re on the home stretch of a 5.5 year journey!!

It's been a while since my last post, but mum is on a flight tomorrow! I can't believe it's finally here. She's on her way to the airport now to fly in the morning. Thoroughly reccomennd Jennie from British Travel for anyone needing to book flights to or from the UK!

On 28/01/2021 at 05:59, BargeUK said:

Let's just hope that emigration is included in the list of essential reasons to leave the country!  It's hard to imagine it wouldn't be though.  I just hope we can remember all the things we now need to do before we fly - negative PCR test, Australian Travel Declaration, UK Travel Declaration, travel insurance - although I haven't figured that one out yet.  Not sure whether it needs to cover the period in quarantine or just the flight. Any ideas?

Yep, lots of things to tick off - travel insurance - hadn't even thought, urgh! I'm not thinking about it all until 4 weeks prior, then can book the PCR test (booking @ Boots can only book 28 days before you want to book) then will look at all the declarations. 

On 01/02/2021 at 05:50, BargeUK said:

Hi Yorkie.  Not long before you go now - I hope everything has gone smoothly for you. It's very hard not being able to say proper goodbyes to friends and loved ones because of the lockdown but at least It looks like you'll just get away before you have to ask permission!  Can I ask how far in advance you completed your 'Australia Travel Declaration' please?  It says at least 72 hours before you fly but I think I read somewhere to complete it once the flight was booked. Our flight is around 12 weeks away but I don't know whether to just complete the declaration now or wait till nearer the time.  I know it can't be amended afterwards so presumably if the flight gets amended we would need to complete a new one?  Wishing you a safe flight and all the best in your new life

When do you fly? You can't be too far from my mums flight (May 5th!) Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!

On 27/01/2021 at 18:38, Lady Jane said:

That’s good to know, hard to sit on the plane all of that time though! But it will be worth it 

Only 1.5 hour transit time, so not too bad in the grand scheme of things, at least she’ll have a row to herself got to look on the bright side!!

On 25/01/2021 at 17:41, Lady Jane said:

Are Singapore allowing UK passengers to transit through now? Or does your mum not live in the UK? 

Yes they are. At the moment they just have to stay on the plane, they only stopped this for a couple of weeks.

Mums flights booked through Jennie @ British travel for early May with Singapore. Will keep everyone posted! Good luck

3 hours ago, BargeUK said:

Sorry - I didn't really answer your question before.  We're booked to fly in April with Qatar and we used DialAFlight.  They appear to be very efficient and they answer the phone within seconds which is a bonus.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly but at least we've got someone else in our corner if not!  https://www.dialaflight.com  Good luck

Thanks! Good luck! 

9 hours ago, BargeUK said:

There are a few of us who are booked to fly but haven't actually reached the date yet so we're just keeping everything crossed that we don't have last minute issues.  

Thanks - when are you booked to fly and who with if you don't mind me asking? Did you book direct?  

Thanks, yes have been in touch with Jennie. Coming in under $3k London - Brisbane, April & May, can book the same flights direct (Singapore or Emirates) for a few hundred dollars cheaper, so wondering what to do if no guarantee of not getting bumped now. I'll ask her if that's the case now. I get the impression she is a very busy lady so don't want to waste her time or irritate her with questions!

Has anyone had any luck booking a flight since recent visa approval and getting here/not getting bumped so far? Have you booked independently or through an agent? The hurdles never end!

Update - will be booking my mums flight next week for March/April time. She is due to have her second vaccine end of March so will hopefully be flying after then. Awaiting her new passport so can update the visa as hers was due to expire, then will be doing the paperwork changes and booking! 
Will keep everyone updates on the no doubt stressful process!

14 hours ago, Lady Jane said:

Contact Jennie Bardsley at British travel in Perth.  She can get you non bump seats for most places in Australia  

good luck 

 

Thank you, I’ll look her up now!

16 hours ago, Kathss56 said:

Are they offshore or onshore?

if offshore it might be cheaper and easier after New Year. Hoping they will increase the caps early next year.

If onshore ask for more time to leave like I have. Return flights are very scarce and as you say probably business class and quarantine ! 

Off shore! Yes definitely waiting until January to make a plan. Hoping some sort of home quarantine scenario will be implemented in the next few months rather than hotel quarantine $$$ - wishful thinking probably!

Completely stumped as to when to book my Mums flight for, knowing full well it’ll likely get bumped! Has anyone with a recent visa grant booked? So many unknowns it’s hard to now make a plan! Very frustrating as after the 2nd vac payment a business class flight + quarantine isn’t really an option right now. If it’s not one stressful waiting game it’s another

My mums visa was granted yesterday! Good luck everyone, thanks for all your support! If there’s any meet up groups that any of you are in point me in their direction, my mum will be moving to Brisbane! X

2 hours ago, Yorkie said:

143 Visa Granted!

Wow, that was quick - granted same day as I paid 2nd VAC - 10 Nov 2020.

Have 12 months for first entry to arrive by.

Congrats! I just paid by BPAY this eve so fingers crossed for a speedy grant! 

25 minutes ago, Bic Nguyen said:

Huge congratulations! I am happy for you, hope mine will come soon, All the best!

I am sure it will! Thank you! Good luck and everything crossed for you you get the email soon!

I just now received the 2nd VAC for my mums visa, I can’t even tell her yet as she’s asleep still hahaha oh my god so excited! Good luck everyone! Things are moving!!! I’ll update on visa grant!

On 06/11/2020 at 13:42, Samvaz99 said:

Hi Cfernandes,

Application acknowledged 29/01/2016

further documents- 25/11/2019

supplied all docs- 20/02/2020

further docs asked again and supplied- 10/03/2020

 

2ndVAC asked - 19/10/2020

paid - 21/10/2020

got visa - 4/11/2020

Just saw this - I’m so close to your timeline for my mums visa, crossing everything! X

On 05/11/2020 at 10:54, Samvaz99 said:

Hi friends,

finally , got Visa granted yesterday..

Good luck to all .. 

thank you so much to everyone for sharing their experiences..

Really helps to keep the heart up.

Thank you so much to the administrators who created this thread, without this , this particular journey is like walking in the dark.. 

Many thanks to everyone.

Congratulations!!! Could you please share your timeline! Thank you and good luck on the move! 

13 hours ago, Samvaz99 said:

Hi Guys,

Finally, I got 2nd VAC request today, acknowledged 29/01/2016.

Good luck.. to all of us..

Amazing! Congratulations!! Thank you for the update! 

On 01/10/2020 at 20:52, hmn141905 said:

Hi Nat,

I tried to private message you but couldn't, may be I'm too new. Can I ask you a quick question? When was your mum requested to do medical test? Same time when they requested further documents? As I noticed medical test was done on 15/1, 1 full month later 

 

Thanks,

Mai

Hi Mai - yes same time further docs were requested. Life was just busy back then and January was the most convenient (xmas etc!) in hindsight if we’d of organised quicker she probably would have got her visa by now but here we are! Fingers crossed things keep moving and we hear something this year! X

On 29/09/2020 at 18:37, Marilyn said:

My 143 visa was granted today. I am so chuffed. 

CONGRATULATIONS! 

1 hour ago, casuarina said:

Hey guys,

 

Any updates on the 2nd VAC request?

 

Anyone whose AOS was accepted in Feb this year or applied 143 in Jan/Feb 2016 got notification?

 

So anxious about current situation.

 

Thanks guys

Hello, no update from me. You can see timelines in my signature. I know a couple of people on here with very similar timelines have just got their 2nd Vac So I’m patiently waiting  fingers crossed!