We’ve just had some fabulous news…
Our skilled independent visa has been approved, which means we can move to Australia as soon as we like!
I’m amazed how fast the process has been since we submitted our application earlier this year, given how slow the earlier phases have been. It took just over three weeks from the submission of our application for us to hear back with a request for our medicals and police checks.
Husband’s police check was back within a week, and mine took an extra week (which hubby blames on me dating too many dodgy men before we got together – the cheek of it!) then we had to travel an hour and a half to the nearest private medical centre for our medicals as there are only a few places you can go for them. We spent a couple of hours shepherding energetic and excited children in and out of various waiting rooms and surgeries. Eventually all the stickers, toys and sweet bribes in the world weren’t enough, so we just did our best to survive until we could make it home for a large glass of wine. Thankfully as the kids were all under five, they just had to have a quick check over, draw on some paper and do a couple of simple tasks for the doctor. Husband and I had a blood test, x-ray and urine test which were all really quick and easy, although not so much for the parent left in the waiting room attempting to corral three small people. Trying to get the boys to sit down in the not-so-child-friendly waiting rooms gave us a taster of how challenging a flight is going to be (one receptionist even remarked with a smile that she was pleased she isn’t going to be on the same plane as us – yeah, thanks for that!)
Just after, our agent submitted the police checks and the medicals were submitted by the medical centre, and within 24 hours we’d received notification that our visa had been granted! So that’s it now, our agent’s work is done and we’re on our own. After months of chasing paperwork, regular emails and agonising waits, it’s over and we’re now free to set off as soon as we like. It’s a very bizarre feeling. But a good one.
Now there’s just the small matter of finishing off our house renovations so we can put it on the market asap. We’re at the final stage where everything is still chaotic but I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I think. People keep telling us we’re silly for doing so much work when we’re selling up anyway, but I don’t think buyers have sticky finger prints or bespoke crayon wall art high on their priority list. We’ve managed to do an incredible amount of work this year, all while juggling three small people between us. Hopefully it will net us the best possible price for our house which will go a little way towards the huge cost of making the move to Australia.
Eek, it’s really happening!!
Wow, it’s all go go go now! Fingers crossed for a quick sale for you.
Thanks! There’s just so much to do – life is a bit crazy. I’m looking forward to actually getting there and slowing down for a bit. xx
It is so exciting! I just cannot imagine how you are feeling right now, knowing you can move to the otherside of the world when you want to. Good luck on finding someone quick to buy your house. The housing market is really good at the moment so fingers crossed. All the houses around our way are selling very quickly at really good prices. Well done on making your dream come true.
Thanks Steph. It is exciting but we’re just so busy! Getting rid of stuff takes ages on ebay and via car boot sales not to mention finishing the house off. Hope to be on the market in the next week or two so fingers crossed! xx
Well you will soon be joining us here Down Under. Ex-pats unite. Safe travels.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to joining you soon! x
Wow you could go as soon as you like?! That’s crazy and very very amazing.
So chuffed for you all (plus a tad jealous) X
Thanks. It’s bizarre now the migration agent has finished their job and we’re all alone! There’s just so much to do my head is spinning! xx
Amazing! Well done to you guys (am jealous!!!). x Mel
Thanks! It’s taken a few months of hard work but it’s good to know we’re free to go when we like now pending the house sale. x
Hi stumbled across your bolg and am loving reading all about your emigration, we are looking to apply next year and I was just wondering which agent you used and if it was worth it as am in two minds about going through one or doing it ourselves.
Hope life is going well for you and the family
Ah thanks a lot Samantha. It has been a whirlwind year but life here is great. We used Sort Out Your Visa and they were fabulous – Veronika is really lovely. The reason I chose them was because they were happy chatting to me about our options before we made any commitment and they didn’t try the hard sell like all of the other agents I spoke to (and I rang A LOT of them). We decided to use an agent as our situation was a bit complicated (hubby’s job was removed from the SOL the week we decided to start the ball rolling so we had to look at other similar occupations where he could still meet the requirements). I know people who’ve done it themselves with no problem, but for us it really took a lot of stress out of things and we knew that the paperwork going in was correct at each stage. Veronika has also gone above and beyond her job to help us out with things even after we were granted the visa, so I can’t recommend her highly enough. It’s definitely worth putting in a call to them even if it’s just for a chat – remember to tell her Karen Bleakley sent you! Good luck. It is worth all the effort.
xx
PS I have lots more about our emigration experience over on my Facebook page too http://www.facebook.com/talesofatwinmum x