Adam 66

My best advice:

1) Patience is everything, this isn't a quick process (you knew that already).

2) Get Skype, runs on a PC with speakers/mic, even better if you have a laptop with a built in webcam. Load up with 10 Euro's for "skyping out" to Australia. Use it to call Penny/Chris at RAN and remind them when you need to about your application. It will speed up your paperwork, and you'll need it once you have your visa's to arrange accomodation in Aus etc. Once settled in Aus you can use to call UK cheap. Skype to skype calls are free.

3) Photocopy all your paperwork in case it goes missing en-route. We bought an Epson all-in-one machine that is a printer/fax/copier and it has been invaluable. Handy for colour photocopy of documents eg passport and driving licence.

4) Send your paperwork to Aus via courier (we used interparcel), at £20 a time its cheap enough and trackable when in transit. Why risk something so important to ordinary air mail which could go missing in transit.

5) When filling in documents, scrutinise them again before sending to ensure nothing is missed or wrongly answered. This is probably why our Visa paperwork flew through, because we had been careful to answer everything correctly.

Good luck with the application process and keep your chins up, it seems like ages with nothing happening then suddenly it all comes at once.

Daisydora

Thanks for those replies. It's a little frustrating as we expressed our initial interest nearly a year ago but due to personal circumstances we put it on hold for ages. We now which we had just applied back then. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Our biggest worry was breaking the news to my mother-in-law, but we told her last night and it wasn't nearly as bad as my husband thought it would be. Your advice seems very good, it is nerve-wracking worrying about whether we have filled things in correctly or if we have forgotten anything.
Does my husband Gordon need to have an interview (or telephone interview) at some point after we have sent all the application/medical forms back? Also my son who is 18 is still in full time education for at least another year; I gather it will be okay for him to be processed on our application, but am not too sure of the exact rules about this. Has anyone got any idea about whether this will happen or if he will have to apply in his own right?

Adam 66

At some point once your paperwork has been accepted you will be sent an offer of employment for whatever position they want you to fill. After you are happy with this, you sit a telephone interview with a social worker to check that you and the family are suitable and have no issues you need answering. Takes about half an hour late in the evening sat around the telephone.

I got to meet the Aussie team in London as they were doing a trip here and I signed my contract at the hotel after my interview "face to face". Not sure how they normally do things from Aus except for return of post.

If your son is a dependent (in full time education) then he might qualify to enter on your visa, best speak to the Aussies on that one.Like I said earlier, skype comes in very handy for all that stuff. You can get a USB skype handset cheap now for your PC, even ASDA sells them.

Josie1100

Just wanted to share with you all. After nearly 6 months, my husband finally got his early release date today At least I can stop stressing about this and worry about getting the visa's now lol!!!

littlenick

Congratulations on getting a date at last. Now the worrying about the visa starts ha ha. Hope you have some more good news very soon

Nicky

Wooders

That's brilliant news Josie, they took their time didn't they!!!

Like you we just want that visa in our hands now. It seems to be taking forever to hear the outcome of the medicals. It's been over 4 weeks since ours were sent and still no news. I did email LUC to ask how long and if they had even been received but they haven't responded. Our case worker said processing can take 3 weeks from receipt sometimes longer sometimes less...........................:curse: I'm starting to have sleepless nights worrying they will turn us down. We did submit doctors notes to cover old operations and had a specialist report done for the heart murmurs (we never knew we had!!!!!) Could they need more information god I'm rambling now!

Deep breath and be patient I know!

Lets hope those of us still waiting hear soon.

Kate

Josie1100

Yeah Kate finally we have a date woohoo!!!!

I was not sure about the process with the Visa's. So do they let you know your medicals are clear and then you play the waiting game again?

Another thing that I am struggling with is the Insurance Inventory for the shipping. Is it just me making this such hard work ?

I reckon another glass of wine for us Kate and fingers and toes crossed we may hear something soon.

Love Tammy

Wooders

Hi Tammy

I don't know how they work the application process either, I just know the email we had 16th June asked for a couple of questions to be answered fully! (attention to details!!! not just n/a!) After we scanned them and sent them back we were told it was just a wait for the medicals to be processed. I wonder how these are dealt with ie what is the priorty of processing.

We haven't had any insurance inventory to do yet but have the pre uplift arranged for Friday. Mike goes on terminal leave on Wednesday no going back to RN now! OMG I just want the visa!!!

Hey Janet what date did your meds get sent and how do you know if they have been received?

Cheers for everyones good advice to date

Kate

janet66

Hi kate they went approx 4th june , did not have a clue if they got recieved . Just as i started to worry the visa came , so im not much help . Got our pre lift next week .

janet66

one less thing to worry about now Tammy . We had no indication that are medicals were fine only at the medical itself . We never heard anything till we had acknowledgment and then 4 weeks later our visa was granted . It happened all very quickly and took us by surprise . Hang in girls it wont be long .
Sending hugs to you , love jan xxx

Josie1100

I think immigration might have forgotten about us???

I am getting up every morning at silly o'clock to check emails and we are still waiting You never know it might be our turn soon

Wooders

Tammy

They haven't forgotten about you, you are stuck in that bloody backlog..... I reckon we'd still be there if we hadn't emailed LUC asking how they prioritise their cases and then said we might not make our deadline. I know exactly how you are feeling, it doesn't help what anyone says. Every morning that same deflated feeling when it's not there. You have to be nearly there now so keep your chin up and open another bottle of wine girl!

Fingers and toes crossed for you

Kate
xxx

Adam 66

For what its worth Tammy, things don't get much easier once your visa is approved, theres still so much to do, though I understand how you feel having been there waiting myself . Getting the visa is the start of it. We are getting close to the big day now and nerves are starting to creep in. Janet was panicking about selling her car of all things, but it sold yesterday so peace restored until the next crisis looms.

Fingers crossed you get your visa approval soon, I'm sure it won't be long now. Keep smiling.

Josie1100

Thanks Kate and Adam for your kind replies.

Time to pop out and buy that much needed bottle of wine I think

Tammy x

janet66

And chocolate works for me