Applying for a Visa-Do we need a Migration Agent-Confused?

[scottishcelts]

hi d2008, yes we were in a similar situation to you guys, we were October applicants and got our visas thru in April. The case officer came along in January or early Feb, so the ball rolls very quickly once he or she arrives and that's it really, once you provide the c.o with all they need, it's then passed to the decision maker and bob's yer uncle.

Regarding the early meds/police checks, the meds will be ok but if things pad out a little long then they will surely ask for more police checks, which is a pain in the butt as that happened to us and delayed us by a month!

Hope this helps

[diaclone2008]

Thanks for that! So it took just 6 months? That's what we're hoping for (we'd like to leave in January - the house is on the market, and we're selling everything, already!).

Didn't know anything about a Case Officer: do they actually come out and see you or is it over the internet, etc?

I'm guessing by what happened to you that the Police Check is only valid for 6 months: bit of a bugger, really, but it only took 2 days to process without paying the extra (we're in the same town as the office that issues the police checks, so that's OK).

We're hoping to live near Brisbane, what about you?

[scottishcelts]

Originally Posted by diaclone2008

Thanks for that! So it took just 6 months? That's what we're hoping for (we'd like to leave in January - the house is on the market, and we're selling everything, already!).

Didn't know anything about a Case Officer: do they actually come out and see you or is it over the internet, etc?

I'm guessing by what happened to you that the Police Check is only valid for 6 months: bit of a bugger, really, but it only took 2 days to process without paying the extra (we're in the same town as the office that issues the police checks, so that's OK).

We're hoping to live near Brisbane, what about you?

hey d2008, yeah 6 months & the case officer is all on-line providing you go for an online application, if not then paper which takes a zillion years apparently! They are only there really to collect all the decision maker's info and pass it on to them.

Snap we too have chosen Brissie, east coast - the suburb of Thornlands or Alexandra Hills to be precise . I assume you've done heaps of research on Brisbane like us?

[diaclone2008]

Not heaps, really. We were in Australia earlier this year (the whole family - me, my husband and both kids), we traveled from Adelaide to Brisbane, with a lot of stops on the way. Brisbane was our favourite for many reasons, although we wouldn't rule out anywhere we went, really.

I've been to Oz 3 times now, my husband went over on a working visa 10 years ago and completely loved it and has wanted to live there ever since, and the kids coped with the heat and change in lifestyle very well, so we decided to go for it.

Are Thornlands and Alexandra Hills good areas? I haven't heard about many bad ones, really (my brother-in-law lived in Brisbane for about 2 years, and loved it - a lot better than Sydney where he's based).

Have you and your family been many times before?

[NELBHOY]

Originally Posted by scottishcelts

hey d2008, yeah 6 months & the case officer is all on-line providing you go for an online application, if not then paper which takes a zillion years apparently! They are only there really to collect all the decision maker's info and pass it on to them.

Snap we too have chosen Brissie, east coast - the suburb of Thornlands or Alexandra Hills to be precise . I assume you've done heaps of research on Brisbane like us?

does anybody know if a step by step guide to getting a visa is available anywhere on the web. We too were unsure of using an agent, but after reading these posts we think we will go solo. Also scottishcelts, looks as if we "hail" from the same town (& support the same team!). Much appreciated if you could PM me as need all the help I can get & don't want to hijack this forum.

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by NELBHOY

does anybody know if a step by step guide to getting a visa is available anywhere on the web. We too were unsure of using an agent, but after reading these posts we think we will go solo. Also scottishcelts, looks as if we "hail" from the same town (& support the same team!). Much appreciated if you could PM me as need all the help I can get & don't want to hijack this forum.

I don't know a step by step guide although there is a lot of info on this forum.

If the info is relevant to any one else please feel free to share it on the forum rather than send PM (I understand if it's personal) because that way we all learn. You wouldn't be 'hijacking the forum'. The forum is here to support each other

Regards,
Karen

[NELBHOY]

Originally Posted by kaz101

I don't know a step by step guide although there is a lot of info on this forum.

If the info is relevant to any one else please feel free to share it on the forum rather than send PM (I understand if it's personal) because that way we all learn. You wouldn't be 'hijacking the forum'. The forum is here to support each other

Regards,
Karen

Thanks Karen,
Reason I asked scottishcelts to PM me was only because we were local & didn't want to innundate the post with irrelevant trivia which abounds on some other sites. Have perused these other sites & find a lot of their content negative & unhelpful (very un -Australian). This site is tops so far!!
By the way scottishcelts did you know that the guy that wrote the aussie national anthem Advance Australia Fair was from Port Glasgow! Is that a sign?

[CarterTucker]

Hi again all, Im really enjoying reading everyones thoughts & its great that so many people feel the same way, sometimes I feel as though im 'the only one' not knowing 'what the heck to do for the best' then I come on here & feel a whole lot better!

Im wondering how much on average a migration agent would cost, out of interest?

I do feel as though I have the confidence to 'go it alone' but would like to know that if I needed help, there would be 'someone' to ask questions to? (I suppose I could always come on here & ask you guys!...)

Kelly.

[CarterTucker]

Originally Posted by scottishcelts

Hello Kelly, yes the forms are very daunting but remember here we are now sitting with our visas and waiting to sell the house, so once it's all done that's it and it's all worth the hassle of doing it alone.

Anyway obviously the first thing to do is (if you are doing an on-line application that is, we did and it was so fast and efficient) is start bit by bit and fill in the on-line application and take your time, just do a wee as you go along. As always with form filling, read everything and follow instructions religiously. Also the visa people will let you know as you are going along what they need sent next.

Have your hubby done his tra yet? I think we done that first of all then filled in the on-line application once the tra gave us the thumbs up.

Hi, Tra...Mmm seems as though from what you are saying this may be my starting block, what is a 'Tra'?
Its all new to me at the moment, spent the last 6months researching Australia & deciding areas & making our minds up, then spent the last 6weeks organising a trip that we have now decided not to take!
Thanks for your help, you really are being a great help to me.
Kelly.

[scottishcelts]

Originally Posted by diaclone2008

Not heaps, really. We were in Australia earlier this year (the whole family - me, my husband and both kids), we traveled from Adelaide to Brisbane, with a lot of stops on the way. Brisbane was our favourite for many reasons, although we wouldn't rule out anywhere we went, really.

I've been to Oz 3 times now, my husband went over on a working visa 10 years ago and completely loved it and has wanted to live there ever since, and the kids coped with the heat and change in lifestyle very well, so we decided to go for it.

Are Thornlands and Alexandra Hills good areas? I haven't heard about many bad ones, really (my brother-in-law lived in Brisbane for about 2 years, and loved it - a lot better than Sydney where he's based).

Have you and your family been many times before?

Hi D, nope we have never been and don't intend going before migrating! I know we are insane but it's all or nothing for us, but obviously if we don't sell the house before visa validation then we will have to take the big dreaded holiday!

I've not heard of any dodgy areas either although some south-western areas seem to be the worst, Ipswich and above from what i've read. Alex Hills and Thornlands are over at the coastal towns and are just beautiful, Cleveland too is stunning but a wee bit more expensive, we've checked them all out and found no faults in any of them, so it's a case of take your pick really!