Visa application done

[dglamoore]

We have now submitted the application online for our SIR 495 visa. Now just the meds, police checks, de-junking the house and getting organised left to do :D

Lisa

[Rachel & Paul]

We have now submitted the application online for our SIR 495 visa. Now just the meds, police checks, de-junking the house and getting organised left to do :D

Lisa

Good Luck!!!!!!
See you out here soon then!!

Rachel & Paul

[dglamoore]

We have now sent for the police checks, received an acknowledgement for the visa and have our meds booked for the 13th November.

Last week we grabbed a forward contract with HIFX at 2.50 so the money is sorted - now just need a visa and then we will be there asap :D

Lisa

[Angela]

Hi Lisa

Whats a forward contract ?? :?:

You are so positive & having booked the flights - I need whatever it is that you have!! Confidence is one thing :) :)

Angela

[dglamoore]

Hi Angela

A forward contract is to do with buying your dollars. The exchange rate changes daily but a while ago it went up to a yearly high of 2.53.

There are a few companies around that you can use for transferring your dollars to oz but we chose HIFX as read good things about them. We opened an account (free and no obligation) and could then phone and check the rate each day.

We told them when we wanted the currency for (we chose 1st March 2007) and how much we wanted to take with us. They then 'fix' a rate for you to buy at when they tell you a rate you are happy with (we got 2.509). You pay them 10% of the total you want to buy and the balance on the date you chose the contract for (1st March) This way we are guaranteed this rate even if it goes down.

If that sounds like complete twaddle -sorry :lol: I have probably made that sound way harder than it is :D The guy at HIFX explained it in english!!

Lisa

[Angela]

Am I being thick !! :?:

You use this HIFX to forward buy AUD Dollars - am I correct in thinking that this is because you are taking a 'lot' with you eg house sale etc....

You therefore get a good exchange rate.

I have never heard of this before?

Angela :?

[dglamoore]

Hi Angela
You aren't thick - you are right :lol: :lol:

It is not the same as buying currency for a holiday as more would be going with you so there are specialist companies such as HIFX that will sort the rate and transfer the money to your aussie bank account once it is sorted.

They are doing a good deal with an account with Westpac bank at the moment where you get lower banking fees and they help you sort it out ready for when you get there so one less thing to worry about.

A forward contract is just an option you can use to 'fix' a rate or you can just order when you are ready to go and take whatever the rate is on the day.

Lisa x x

Am I being thick !! :?:

You use this HIFX to forward buy AUD Dollars - am I correct in thinking that this is because you are taking a 'lot' with you eg house sale etc....

You therefore get a good exchange rate.

I have never heard of this before?

Angela :?

[donna T]

Lisa

This sounds like a great idea - do they always need 10% up front do yo know? - we have the house proceeds to take and we could not ay our hands on 10% of that before the sale goes through

I think I will have to look into lots of options to get the best deal - more time on the internet!!!

[dglamoore]

Hi Donna

As far as I know HIFX need 10% deposit for a forward contract - there are a couple of other similar companies such as Forex and not sure what deposit they would require. We were lucky in that we have sold our house and in rented so have the money to hand.

May be worth giving them a call - they will chat with you about the different ways of getting your money changed.

Is your head still spinning from getting the visa - I know would be :D

Lisa