Bic

Hi 2ofus, 496 visa is similar to 495, but is dependant on a relative living in a designated area and is not points tested. You're right 495s seem to be bottom of the pile - we just try not to think about it anymore, so many hopeful self-imposed deadlines have already expired! There are some (maybe 1 or 2) 495s that are on BEUpdate that have been granted from July 2007 I think.

Hi Caoimhe, Thanks for your message, congrats on the visa and best of luck! Bic

You are not alone - we are so disillusioned by the whole thing that we consider giving up, every day is a struggle. Friends and colleagues think there is something wrong with our application as they all seem to know somebody who got their visa in 3 months! Agent and I are fed up with each other. We have been off this site for nearly six weeks as we were so down about the whole thing. The BEupdate site is also demoralising to see all the people with case officers/visas. No news since a reference number in Feb! On 23rd July it will be 11 months. We have paid DIAC AU$2000 for a service we are not getting!! Still mustn't grumble - the weather over the last few days provides a nice reminder why we are putting ourselves through hell!

I love tupperware and it no longer exists in the UK. I used to like holding the parties and going to them with my mate who was a demonstrator, it is such good quality and lasts for years. As soon as we get this visa and come over I'll have a party. Very best of luck! Bic

My understanding from my agent is that once the visa is granted you must validate it (ie enter Australia) before the police checks or medicals are 1 year old - whichever is first. Once the visa is granted you cannot submit new meds or PCs and if the visa expires (PCs and Meds 'run out') you have to reapply. We are potentially in a similar scenario and have considered visiting Australia once/if our visa is granted to validate it and then come back to finalise our affairs in the UK - expensive! It is possible to have the 1 year extended, but it is up to your case officer as to whether they will extend it and for how long if they do - usually for exceptional circumstances. This can only be done before the visa is granted. Good luck with the house sale.

Hi Jill We're hoping to go on a 495 temporary visa and I have the same worries as you as we will be much worse off financially. I also worry about the medical side of things, the extra insurance like ambulance cover, etc. Also, having got there, as you say, we then have to apply again for permanent residence, I only hope it's not as complicated and drawn out as trying to get the 495. The 495 is our only route really as we did not have enough points for a permanent visa due to our ages. We have two children (9) and (11) so will be into school costs too. I do think though that although I know it won't be easy, the alternative of staying in the UK is not a very appealing option. It is a worry giving up a good job to almost start from scratch again but it is worth giving it a go, people keep saying to me "well, you can always come back if you don't like it" and that is true but I don't think so! I think that really the two years will probably fly by and I think maybe it is easier to be poor in the sun (but I may be wrong). Best of luck! Bic

Thanks Mozzy, What an exciting day for you. I always check beupdate and there you were, with a yellow line, visa granted - amazing!! Yep, our dates are the same as yours so hopefully we will join the club soon too. Good luck with everything!

Well done Mozzy! We wish you all the best, go chill the champagne! We might be the only ones from August 2007 without a visa soon! Congratulations!!!

Welcome to another teacher dreaming of a better life on the other side - there won't be many left in the UK soon. I am also worried about finding work and have been holding off on the registration process until I definitely know that I am going. I have however gone through the TRBofSA skills assessment process. Thanks for the useful info Libby! Best of luck hrubieszowianka

Hi there, good luck this time, you seem really determined so I'm sure it will happen.

Hi Alibongo Congratulations!! They are finally getting down to sorting out the August applications. Good luck with everything. Bic

Hey Mozzy Unconnected to the weather which is always a source of annoyance to us, congratulations on your house offer!

We have been wondering about this for ages. So thanks for clarifiying it. We are going over on a 495 (hopefully) and we were quite worried about the medical side of things so this has put our mind at rest a bit. We thought there was some kind of reciprocal healthcare but have struggled to find the extent of it and thought we would have to take out expensive private cover. Ambulance cover does sound like a good idea though. Any other information you have, gladly welcomed.

That is brilliant news! Well done:D It will give all of us waiting some hope.