Emigrating before ever visiting Australia?!

[sarahtemple]

Glad we could all be of some help!

We made the big decision to start the ball rolling in April this year, we attended the Oz Expo at Earls Court with the view to grabbing as many leaflets and info as possible! We met with some immigration experts and arranged a further meeting the next week so that they could go through the process with us more in depth. We signed there and then!!!!

We are using an agency based in Melbourne, but there are so many out there! Choose the one thats right for you guys! We dont have a job offer to go out to, we are just jumping ship! And hopeing for the best! We are not due to complete our process until Jan 2009 as i cant have a medical until baby is born, but we sold our house two days ago, so i hope the visa is approved!!!!!! Fingers crossed! We have completed the first part of our visa, submitting everything to the TRA and being approved, i believe this is the tricky bit, but still a long road to travel!

Enough about us! Let us all know how you get on, we look forward to hearing all your news!

All the best,

Sarah, Alan, Jamie and Bump!

[northern mover]

SC,
do not dispair, flower; there's buyers out there, somewher. When you find one, ask if he's got a mate will ya?

Have a holiday in the city you're off to; we did, only 2 weeks ( childcare etc) but it was enough to convince me and the old man! At least you'll get to nosey about, and you know us northerners love a poke around!
Be Hopeful,
J

[scottishcelts]

I was hoping to skip the holiday n.m and just head for the deep end!

There are still buyers out there but it's a bloody fight trying to get a hold of the buggers!

[Ric&Martha]

News on our front is that the company sponsoring Ric is flying him over to check out Melbourne while we're waiting on Visas--and giving him the option to decide against the move after the visit. Fat Chance!

[northern mover]

Ric & Martha,
good luck.... i bet you love the place!

SC
hope you got waterwings! I am seriously using every tactic available; gonna buy a lasso today.

Bloody weather not helping either.
J

[FLOYD]

Originally Posted by Tiffani

It's taken a bit of adjustment but apart from some issues importing our dog, things are going well I'm happy we moved here, even blindly!

What were the issues importing the dog?
I know there is an isolation period. How long is that? What did it cost to get the dog from US home to Aus home?

[Baby75]

Originally Posted by CarterTucker

Hello...

With the flight prices going up so much, we have given very serious thought to not coming on a 'trial visit' to Australia

Moving our whole life to a new country that we have never even set foot on! (makes me nervous!)

So, we'd love to hear from others that did just that!

How did it work for you...were you just as nervous? As my husband said to me 'we know we dont want to stay here, we cant see any reason that we wouldnt love Australia either'.....I think he has a good point....

Looking forward very much to hearing from you all.
Regards, Kelly, Jay & Children

Hello again,

Ive just done it Ive never been here at all before mind you having some were to go and we do have good friends here who are looking after us but it was so scary at first but it all works out Ild say many a person will say have a base to go to and then look around and find were you would like to live long term think about what important to you and the kids any thing to make life easier

[Tiffani]

Originally Posted by FLOYD

What were the issues importing the dog?
I know there is an isolation period. How long is that? What did it cost to get the dog from US home to Aus home?

The quarantine period is 30 days (minimum) and the issues were some positive tests results during the month prior to her planned departure. Check out the AQIS website on importing dogs and cats to Australia and read it VERY VERY carefully. It is very comprehensive and tells you exactly what you need to do and when. My dog had to have several tests within 30 days of export, and she tested positive for antibodies to a disease that she's never been symptomatic for. So it may be worth it to go ahead and start having "dry run" tests for those diseases to make sure they can get negative results. The upshot is that my dog was originally due to arrive in Melbourne in early May for quarantine release in early June. She STILL hasn't arrived in Melbourne yet, but we're hoping to import her on 4 July. All because of some stupid blood tests. But I'm not bitter LOL

All told this will end up costing us more than $5K.

[Dolly]

Originally Posted by sarahtemple

Glad we could all be of some help!

We made the big decision to start the ball rolling in April this year, we attended the Oz Expo at Earls Court with the view to grabbing as many leaflets and info as possible! We met with some immigration experts and arranged a further meeting the next week so that they could go through the process with us more in depth. We signed there and then!!!!

We are using an agency based in Melbourne, but there are so many out there! Choose the one thats right for you guys! We dont have a job offer to go out to, we are just jumping ship! And hopeing for the best! We are not due to complete our process until Jan 2009 as i cant have a medical until baby is born, but we sold our house two days ago, so i hope the visa is approved!!!!!! Fingers crossed! We have completed the first part of our visa, submitting everything to the TRA and being approved, i believe this is the tricky bit, but still a long road to travel!

Enough about us! Let us all know how you get on, we look forward to hearing all your news!

All the best,

Sarah, Alan, Jamie and Bump!

Hey Sarah,

We're in Melbourne (well, along the Mornington Peninsula) so if you've got any questions/queries etc just ask.

Yep, once you've got your skills assessment out the way, it's practically plain sailing from then on.

Congratulations on selling your house....I think the whole housing market back in the UK is a bit pants at the moment so good for you!

Dolly

[sarahtemple]

Thanks for your offer of advice, i will have to take you up on that!

I have read many of your other posts and printed off a list of things to do which is extremly useful! We wont be on our way till next year, but there is no harm in getting everything ready! We move into our rented house in two weeks time, it is giving us a great chance to get rid of all of our unwanted goods! We are being ruthless!!!!

I have got loads of questions, but typically have just had a blank!

Hope everything is going well with your new place, have you moved in yet? Look forward to more posts and a chat soon.

All the best,

Sarah and family