Roberta2 Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Yes. Anyway, who would not want to live on the Northern Beaches? Am heading there myself soon to stay with a pal for a week or two. I am half hoping Brexit will propel my son and his wife and two little kids back to Brisbane...He's just bought a house in the UK. Bad timing! Works for a US company, but no one is safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeelsy Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Yes. Anyway, who would not want to live on the Northern Beaches? Am heading there myself soon to stay with a pal for a week or two. I am half hoping Brexit will propel my son and his wife and two little kids back to Brisbane...He's just bought a house in the UK. Bad timing! Works for a US company, but no one is safe. Expensive though. We are in Newport overlooking Pittwater and enjoy views everyday. I am going back to uk in sept for first time in 3 and half years - interesting to see how I feel about it when I get ther Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaJB Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 For those worried about the exchange rate, who are moving to Aus, remember it is possible to open a GBP account in Aus (HSBC in Aus confirmed we can) and wait for a better exchange rate if you are able to - using, of course, a foreign exchange company when the rate is better, not the bank transfer rate. We may do this if it doesn't improve, but we will surely be stung on the visa fee because I stupidly waited for better than the 2+ rate of recent times (which of course has plummeted) and will likely need it soon. Anyone with a house sale or other main finances, can lose tens of thousands in dollars (or more), it can be very stressful. If it comes to the worse for us, I would rather wait for the rates to improve, rent for a while, and leave the GBP in an Aus bank as the interest should be better there too. Then buy AUD at a better time. Just my thoughts, not sure if it'll help anyone. Have a great day/evening Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaJB Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 I got the job!!!!!! Please give us our visa!!! Congratulations Alan! You sure do make it all look easy :-) Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyorksgrannie Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 For those worried about the exchange rate, who are moving to Aus, remember it is possible to open a GBP account in Aus (HSBC in Aus confirmed we can) and wait for a better exchange rate if you are able to - using, of course, a foreign exchange company when the rate is better, not the bank transfer rate. We may do this if it doesn't improve, but we will surely be stung on the visa fee because I stupidly waited for better than the 2+ rate of recent times (which of course has plummeted) and will likely need it soon. Anyone with a house sale or other main finances, can lose tens of thousands in dollars (or more), it can be very stressful. If it comes to the worse for us, I would rather wait for the rates to improve, rent for a while, and leave the GBP in an Aus bank as the interest should be better there too. Then buy AUD at a better time. Just my thoughts, not sure if it'll help anyone. Have a great day/evening Amanda Hi we will have a house to sell does anyone know if we can then leave the bulk of that in a uk account until rate improves if we went to Oz and rented? Assuming eventually our visas will come through. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertenhall Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi we will have a house to sell does anyone know if we can then leave the bulk of that in a uk account until rate improves if we went to Oz and rented? Assuming eventually our visas will come through.Sue Just be aware of the financial services compensation - both in UK and Aus banks. UK is currently £75,000 per person. I know that our bank, Lloyds, offer a temporary high balance cover for "eligible" deposits such as house sales for a six month period. Other than that spread it around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyorksgrannie Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Good point, thank you. Maybe more than one bank account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta2 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Any reason to think the exchange rate will improve? The Oz has always been a commodity dollar. Gold prices are up dramatically as a consequence of Brexit because gold is a safe haven. This is putting upward pressure on iron ore prices as well. But who knows? Australia is a small open economy highly vulnerable to a global downturn. We weathered the GFC quite well - we had a lot in the kitty because of the China boom. (Although far too much was squandered.) Now the boom is over, and we will be running deficits for years, whoever wins the election on Saturday. Australia is also at risk of losing its AAA credit rating. Nothing is easy to predict. I would try to get professional advice on the best hedging strategy re exchange rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSteel Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Congratulations Alan! You sure do make it all look easy :-) Amanda Thanks Amanda, not easy knowing that the visa has still to be granted. This could all turn into a long expensive 12 months holiday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSteel Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 congratulations to you and your family Kim, well done! Also to Alan on the job. You are now all officially living the dream ... Cheers @Fisher1, not 100% living the dream, job is subject to visa, visa seems to be taking for ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaJB Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Just be aware of the financial services compensation - both in UK and Aus banks. UK is currently £75,000 per person. I know that our bank, Lloyds, offer a temporary high balance cover for "eligible" deposits such as house sales for a six month period. Other than that spread it around. Very true - something else that can be done while waiting is investment in Premium Bonds, up to £50k each - okay, no interest is paid but extremely high chances of winning a prize with 100,000 numbers each month for a couples maximum allowance, and funds can be withdrawn at any time - I think you have to be in the UK. There are 2 £1 million prizes every month now and tons of others in the £10,000's. Another way of spreading funds with "potential" of very high returns. Bank interest is now so very low, better to get something than nothing, but a big shame too. Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaJB Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Thanks Amanda, not easy knowing that the visa has still to be granted. This could all turn into a long expensive 12 months holiday! You'll finalise soon, I'm sure. It's all gone right for you, I doubt you'll wait long now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Yep I've seen that one but they go back a way looking for recent posts Last post on it was 30 minutes ago, can't get much more recent than that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmad Shady Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Last month they were allocating May 2014 applicants. If it remains at the same pace it could take two years for allocation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliew1499 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Very true - something else that can be done while waiting is investment in Premium Bonds, up to £50k each - okay, no interest is paid but extremely high chances of winning a prize with 100,000 numbers each month for a couples maximum allowance, and funds can be withdrawn at any time - I think you have to be in the UK. There are 2 £1 million prizes every month now and tons of others in the £10,000's. Another way of spreading funds with "potential" of very high returns. Bank interest is now so very low, better to get something than nothing, but a big shame too. Amanda Hi Amanda could not believe the result of the referendum, luckily we transferred the visa fee @ 1.96 so feeling a bit happier, plus today the rate looks slightly better than yesterday. Like you, we think we will rent for a while until the rate recovers. Can't risk sending all our money over until we know we have a visa. Flying out to Melbourne on Thursday! It all feels at bit strange, just one more goodbye to do. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi we lodged our application the day before you we are hopefully half way there now it's very hard when you feel your life is in limbo isn't it !!! Where are you looking to settle next year fingers crossed??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi Julie safe journey please keep in touch we are 11mnths behind you how have you kept your sanity ??? It feels like your life is in limbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmad Shady Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Due to high numbers of Contributory Parent visa applications lodged in May and June 2014, processing times for these is expected to exceed 24 months.As of now The department is allocating straight 143 (not 173 to 143) applications that were lodged up to 23 May 2014, 173-to-143 applications lodged up to 17 November 2015 Remember, allocation means it's assigned to a processing officer, yet to be processed after requesting Assurance of Support, health and character clearances, any missing documents, etc. The department also warns that Due to high numbers of Contributory Parent visa applications lodged in May and June 2014, processing times for these is expected to exceed 24 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliew1499 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi Julie safe journey please keep in touch we are 11mnths behind you how have you kept your sanity ??? It feels like your life is in limbo???? Hi it all seemed like a sensible thing to do back in June 2014! Good job we didn't have a crystal ball! we must be barking mad! anyway off we go to Oz on Thursday, no CPV 143 visa but with every hope that we will obtain it in the next 3 months, time will tell......either way we are off for a nice long holiday. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi Amandacould not believe the result of the referendum, luckily we transferred the visa fee @ 1.96 so feeling a bit happier, plus today the rate looks slightly better than yesterday. Like you, we think we will rent for a while until the rate recovers. Can't risk sending all our money over until we know we have a visa. Flying out to Melbourne on Thursday! It all feels at bit strange, just one more goodbye to do. Julie No we couldn't believe it either. Having worked for the EU for 24 years before I retired, I have been feeling so sad, as well a worried about the exchange rate etc. we were not planning to make the move till this time next year in any case but I'm not convinced we'll be out of the woods that quickly. We think we will be renting for a year or longer if we can't sell the house. I'd like to wipe the smirk of Nigel Farages face! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaJB Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi Amandacould not believe the result of the referendum, luckily we transferred the visa fee @ 1.96 so feeling a bit happier, plus today the rate looks slightly better than yesterday. Like you, we think we will rent for a while until the rate recovers. Can't risk sending all our money over until we know we have a visa. Flying out to Melbourne on Thursday! It all feels at bit strange, just one more goodbye to do. Julie Hiya Julie, Thursday, eeeeek!! How exciting for you! Sounds like you did the wise thing with the visa transfer already. I'm holding out for a miracle in the next couple of months when ours will hopefully have to be paid. I'm sure you must be feeling pretty strange at the mo, with your trip so near now and all those goodbyes out the way. Good on you for taking a leap of faith, have a safe trip and enjoy every moment of your next adventure - it's been long enough coming! All the best Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest geordie joe Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Hi all, I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find the answer. I believe there is a minimum income requirement for the assurer of support can anyone tell me the figure. Thanks Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I can not remember the amount but I remember you can have more than 1 assurer of support to make the amount, hope that helps until you find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertenhall Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 If you go to this link it gives you the calculations. http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/9/4/3/60. I've asked the question before as to whether this amount is before tax but haven't yet managed to find the answer to that one. I also wonder how strict they are with the amounts and also don't know if they take into account our income. Zee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertenhall Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Hi all, I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find the answer. I believe there is a minimum income requirement for the assurer of support can anyone tell me the figure. Thanks If you go to this link it gives you the calculations. http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-socia...y-law/9/4/3/60. I've asked the question before as to whether this amount is before tax but haven't yet managed to find the answer to that one. I also wonder how strict they are with the amounts and also don't know if they take into account our income. Zee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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