Please be kind :)

[mummytummy]

So gutted at moment, after years of planning and then deciding last year to do it we got on the emmigration rollercoaster, a year later and around £6000 lighter (medicals, police checks, form 80 completed) we're told we are 5 points short for visa, my nursing skills are still being assessed, asked if when that's finalised can we add them as it would give us the 5 points we need, NO, we should have "Indicated your intention to claim partner skills points at time of application".

 

We could of re submitted application and have points added except i was 50 on sunday so now useless. Looked at OH doing ielts again even though the score he got before leaves very little margin (think you'd have to be a genius) and checked out most centres and nothing available til may/june - we have 28 days, so we are going to check out the 457 visa its just that with kids i wanted a bit of security, can't believe we were asked us to go for meds and stuff before telling us we didn't have enough points. So at moment we are skint and feeling very deflated, going to try and speak to someone at diac after bank hols to see what else can/might be done. Lesson learned? watch which boxes you're ticking on bl**dy forms

 

Any useful advice anyone could give would be welcome.

 

Sue

Edited April 7, 2012 by mummytummy

[Jessica Berry]

Lesson learned? watch which boxes you're ticking on bl**dy forms

 

 

I remember when we were looking into emigrating and at one of the seminars we went to the example they used when stressing the importance of using an agent (of course they were trying to sell their services) was if at the time when we were looking at coming if you put you were a chef you would not get in, but if you put you were a cook you would get in!

 

Fingers crossed you can find a solution.

[Guest Helchops]

Oh hun, I'm sorry.

 

What was the IELTS score your OH got? If you could get 20 points would that solve the problem?

 

There are exams all year round but it is quiet around this time. We literally rang up every centre to get ours booked.

 

Maybe a consultation with an agent at this stage would be an idea as time is obviously of the essence for you.

 

Good luck x

[Guest ali]

Go to an agent. What harm could it do now and at this stage. After all they're the professionals of this trade.

[Guest leeannekays]

I would go to a agent and get them to investigate. We used concept Australia. We had our own reasons to use a agent and their advice was invaluable to us.

 

Lots of luck to u

 

Leeanne xx

[Willber]

This is one of the reasons we used an agent, just in case we missed something. Some on here rant on about how much extra they cost but to me it was well worth it. As said in pre post ask an agent for more advice. We used Ian Harrop and his team were awesome from start to finish.

Andy.

[Guest Helchops]

We also used an agent, although we used the service where we prepare all the documentation and they actually then complete the forms and submit them for us. It wasn't too expensive...I know the Migration Bureau wanted over £3000 deposit, but they said they may need more as the process developed.

 

I've heard great things about Go Matilda though so they're a recommendation. Allan also updates the site often and is a regular poster over at Poms in Oz.

[Leeds1877]

Oh dear- I am so sorry mummytummy. you must be gutted...maybe you can get a cancellation for another English test. What did the case officer deduct points for?

 

I hope that you get sorted- keep us posted and try and keep your chin up......everything happens for a reason xx

[charlie]

I agree ,get an agent.Would never of made it here without one .Extra money but they dot the i's and cross the t's.Good luck.

[Guest Guest75]

So sorry to read this Sue................:arghh:

 

Keep up your spirit,sure it will work out.

[Cherrypecker]

Hi Sue.

Long time no speak. I really feel for you and your family. Like others have said, please keep your chin up. It is a rollercoaster, but if you stick with it, then it will be worth it. I have also heard good things about 'Go Matilda', and I would definetly consult someone like them for advise.

 

You mentioned checking out the 457 visa as an option. We came on a 457, and after a few months it is relatively straightforward (and cheapish) to change it to a PR visa. It does mean that you are not entitled to any government financial help whilst on the 457, but it does not add or detract how secure we felt being here.

Sarah

[Guest wayney34]

is there anyway to appeal as the case officer hasn't noticed this until the last minute and it has cost you for medicals, checks etc. they should have noticed straight away try contacting the embassy in london and see if they have any contacts that could help you.

[Guest Mrs Bon Jovi]

So sorry to hear that Sue. The one thing I don't understand is why you were asked to do police checks and mess if you didn't have enough point. I always thought those were the last things you were asked to do once everything else had been checked and approved so that people weren't wasting all that money on them?

I would definitely speak to an agent to see what all your options are.

 

Good luck

[Guest Anouk]

Commiserations.

 

Jumping on the agent bandwagon I'd highly recommend Sammy Naghi (Australian migration and Australian visa specialist, also an Australian!) at Taylor Hampton Solicitors, London. He was outstanding (can't praise him enough - he certainly did 'over and above' for us) and has a most impressive track record, even with 'trickier' cases. Might be worth giving him a call to see what advice he can offer - we got a free consultation call at the start of the process.

 

Also, re: IELTS. There are websites where you can practice ... if your husband wants to try to improve his score. Booking on to courses is easy if you're prepared to travel.

 

Best of luck.

[mummytummy]

Thank you for your kind words and advice, positivity returning slowly and we will get there somehow. Email to case officer sent so hopefully we will get reply tomorrow, phone numbers at ready for embassy in london and migration lawyer, will keep you updated

[Guest Yankmedownunder]

Hi sue!

I'm so very sorry about your troubles. I read your story and I wish I could help you. My only suggestion would be to contact migration experts, they would tell you straight up whether or not you have any hope. Of course you'd have to pay them, but you've already done most of the work so it could be Cheaper?

Again, I'm so sorry!

Sunny

[Gollywobbler]

Thank you for your kind words and advice, positivity returning slowly and we will get there somehow. Email to case officer sent so hopefully we will get reply tomorrow, phone numbers at ready for embassy in london and migration lawyer, will keep you updated

 

Hi Sue

 

Do you have the names and the unpublished phone numbers for the really senior DIAC people at Australia House in London? If not, please send me a Private Message and I will pass on the details.

 

That said, even where a member of DIAC's staff has cocked up, DIAC rarely accept responsibilty as far as the hapless visa applicant is concerned. At best, they just utter platitudes saying that they are disappointed to hear that the applicant was not satisfied with the quality of their service - which doesn't really get one very far, I feel. I have never heard of them offering a refund or even an ex gratia contribution towards costs of things like the meds. Their attitude tends to be that if the visa applicant ticked the wrong box on the form, that is not DIAC's problem.

 

The other thing is that DIAC's complaints procedure used to be first rate. It was originally devised by one of DIAC's Directors, who had been with Centrelink for many years until he joined DIAC in 2005. Originally the drill was that any complaint must be seen by the Director in charge of the relevant type of visa or, in default, the relevant State Director and so forth. He realised that complaints need to go to the top because nobody else will have the authority to sort them out properly. I couldn't agree with him more. However the original designer of the Global Feedback Unit, as it is called, was then promoted to a different job. From what I've seen since, the person in the GFU merely passes the complaint on to a fairly junior manager in the relevant visa section and the GFU person just accepts and passes on whatever excuse is given by the junior visa manager. Which is hopeless and I have grumbled at the original designer of the GFU about this at length but so far, nothing has improved. My own suspicion is that the old "corporate culture" of DIAC - which two high-level, official Government Reports had both condemned as being dreadful in about 2004/5 - has not really changed. The guy from Centrelink was a breath of fresh air because he does accept that Government Departments do make mistakes and that when it happens there is a need to put matters right, both internally and vis-a-vis the member of the public who has been disadvantaged. However my impression is that, since the man from Centrelink left it, the GFU has descended into being the usual type of "excuse factory" instead of being the "kick ass factory" that it was supposed to have been.

 

If you just swallow the bitter pill and get on with your lives, would you be the primary holder of the sc 457 visa (seeing as you are a Nurse) or would you be seeking an employer-sponsor for Hubby, please? If the latter, what is his occupation, please?

 

Cheers

 

Gill

Edited April 10, 2012 by Gollywobbler
typos

[hannybabe]

 

Any useful advice anyone could give would be welcome.

 

Sue

I'll second, Third the suggestions above - go see an agent. Would highly Recommend 'Emigration Group' in Chester - they are Fantastic. We had a consultation with them although decided we would do it ourselves. Thinking of you and hope all works out well

[Guest PaulandVicky]

Hi sue

 

Sorry for your mess. You have been given some sound information.

 

Jus to add to it. Agents are good, if you have the cash. We did a lot of the ground work ourselves, and thought aftwards, we didnt think we needed our agent. You can even ask them for free - what are the best options in your position? They would tell you ( and you won't have to pay for that advice). Sorted. Keep your money in the bank. Fingers,toes,hair,eyes,noes,feet, any any other body part - all crossed for you guys xx

[mummytummy]

Well a few weeks have passed though it seems like an eternity, would like to thank Gill (Gollywobbler) and Tony for their excellent help and advice.

 

We're going to have to reapply for visa, no adding on after initial application:embarressed:

 

So, in order to try and gain the extra points needed Rob resat his ielts last week, if he can increase his banding we will earn 10 points, we need 5 (no pressure there then!!) if not we will look to a work sponsored visa as time is running out for us, Rob is 45 at end of June and we would then lose points.

 

One way or another we will get there....

 

Sue

[Cherrypecker]

Never give up !! It will be worth it in the end.

[Guest silverload]

I agree with others, go to an agent and see what they can do. We certainly thought it was money well spent when we paid for the services of an agent. We used Taylor Hampton solicitors in London and the agent there was absolutely brilliant.

[Guest Shmaggle]

Hi Sue - fingers crossed he gets high score so you have enough! When will you hear the results?

 

But reapplying for visa sounds costly, poor you.

 

I have my IELTS coming up soon...eek...

[Guest matt n mel]

Good luck to you mummytummy. I'm sure your hubby's ielts will be higher 2nd time around. Sometimes easier when you know what to expect. Fingers crossed for you x