Manrug

Hi we are exactly in the same situation, looking to move our money from the UK to AUD. I agree Wise rates are very good, I managed to negotiate exactly same rates with TORFX, who will match the best rates on the market.

Hi Palmtrees - your situation rang a chord with ourselves. In 1988 my wife and I were both young similar ages to yourselves, We had 2 young kids. We were doing very well in the UK. I had my dream job, a nice house within walking distance to my job and good schools. We always had the intention of emigrating to NZ, but friend of ours visited us from Canada and sold as the idea of emigrating to Canada. We applied in 1989 and got accepted to emigrate to Canada. We sold the house and gave away or sold the furniture, etc and emigrated. We only lasted 6 months we realised we had made a mistake and came back. It was most daunting to come back but it was the best thing we ever did and this country was so good to us, I managed to retire at a very young age, my children both flourished in the UK and went on to have successful careers. In 2023 we are now emigrating again we have our 143 visa for Australia. Sorry for the long story. The reason why I am sharing this story is we were faced with the same dilemma . We decided to take the risk and emigrate to Canada . Now in our old age and looking back we do not regret it for one moment, at the time it was tough. We returned to UK after only 6 months and we have done better in the UK then we could have done anywhere else in the world. So my two pence worth is take a deep breath and go for it. If things don't work out if you decide to come back, your situation may be even better than the one you let behind. Best of luck for whatever you decide to do.

We are so pleased for you and good luck.

Just to update all - We paid 2nd VAC yesterday by BPay from our Australian Bank Account. Visa granted this morning for both of us. --------------------------- Just my pennies worth, as I mentioned earlier in our case, once the documents were submitted the files was not picked up until about 30/35 days afterwards. It also depends which Officer picks the file up and it was not the same Officer. Like someone else said, if it is straightforward file there is temptation to process that rather than a complicated one, which then may get pushed to the bottom of the pile again.

To everyone on this parent visa thread who are waiting for your visa. I wish to thank all those people before me for sharing their experience which has been invaluable to us. I now wish to contribute our experience so it my help someone else. We applied in January 2017- you can see the exact dates on my signature, which seems a long time ago. At times it seemed disheartening as the wait kept on increasing from the original 18-24 months, 6 years followed by covid and now 12 years! With the increase in parent visa numbers last year there was a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We had resigned to the fact that the limit for visas for this year had been reached and we may be contacted after 1st July 23. To my surprise I received the the request for the 2nd VAC this morning. From my experience, once the Case Officer requests the information, they picked up our file again after 30/35 days to check that we have sent the information requested. Depending on which Officer picks up the file again - in our case we were requested further information 2nd time ie Australian Police Check, first for myself and then a month later for my wife. Thus the application got delayed by around 5/6 weeks. It has taken us 6 years and 6 weeks approx. to get to the stage of the 2nd VAC. Finally I would like to say everyone else who are waiting: at our age, each day is precious and get on with enjoying what we have and surely your turn will come very soon.

Marissa thanks for your comments. That is something on our minds too.

We applied for Visa 143 in January 2017, I am the main applicant. We have done our medicals, AOS, sent in additional information as requested and we are waiting for the request for 2nd VAC. My wife's mother is in her 80s and is disabled, my wife looks after her mother, and is now having second thoughts and is considering withdrawing her application. I still wish to go-ahead with the VISA 143. If my wife withdraws her application, will that affect my application in any way? Any help will be gratefully received.

Thanks Anthony. That gives us an idea of when to expect the phone call.

For VIsa 143. I am sure this has been asked before. How long does Centrelink take to call back and do the phone interview, after we have submitted all the salary information to Centrelink? Many Thanks

Hi Purpleaster Thank you for your detailed reply. I have copied your helpful comments and will pass them on to my son/daughter in law. In the mean time My son/daughter in-law managed to go to centrelink and presented all the documents an linked details of finances. So I assume that part is done. Will they still get a phone call from Centrelink for the interview?

Hi Purpleaster Thank you for sharing the information. My daughter in law is self employed. So I would imagine that is where the hold up is. Who do I write to ask for an extension?

Can someone on this forum please help me out. We received request for further information ie medicals, police check, etc and they gave me 28 days. The police checks I can submit on time and I assume medicals will also be uploaded automatically by the clinic directly to Immi. We have a problem with AOS. Initially it was going to be my son, then he realised he did not meet the salary threshold. They now have to do it jointly with his wife, this has delayed their application to Centrelink. How do I ask for a time extension to submit all the paperwork? Many thanks for your help.

When we applied, like everybody else we thought it would take no more than 2 years. After nearly 6 years of wait we are different people to what we were then. The main factor is after 60 we age quicker as years pass by.

Things are moving rapidly now. It won't be long for your turn. Keep smiling and fingers crossed.

Update Contributory Parent Visa date of application 24.01.2017. Got a request for further information this morning. Just two of us no dependent children.