How easy is to buy property without having PR? I've heard of a few people who have done it (Ian and Sharon for instance) and was wondering what one has to do?

Anyone else bought when on a employer sponsored business visa and before their residency came through?

You need the permission of FIRB to buy if you are not a permanent resident.

this is an email i git back from frib so it is possible i am going initially on a temp visa i have tried to attache the file they sent if it dosnt work pm me cheers

have attached a copy of the Urban land Policy for your information (See Point 17). It explains that if your visa is valid for at least 12 months (which your is) then you can purchase second-hand real estate to use as your principle place of residence, you cannot rent the dwelling out and must on sell the property once your visa expires or you no longer reside ion the property.

The policy also talks about other types of real estate you can purchase.

We do not do pre approvals/blanket approvals, your friends will need to have a specific property in mind that they want to purchase.
Once you find a property you want to purchase, sign the contract of sale "subject to firb approval within 30 days of receipt" and submit an application to us for consideration. This should secure any property to buy.

You can print the application forms from our website www.firb.gov.au go to application forms (on the left-hand side) then print the R3 form - the first page is an information page and will assist with completing the application.

There is a statutory deadline that we make a decision within 30 days of receipt.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

We are on a temporary visa and are currently having a house built. We needed the FIRB approval which we got once we put the offer in on the block. The condition is that we have to have the house built within 12 months and use it to live in (not rent out).

Debs

We're on a Temp Visa but bought a house rather than rent...it' easy but does make you wonder how tricky it gets if the Visa for Permanent Residency is refused....

At the moment we've been here 16 months but while the kids are happy we've yet to find a business worth the money or see an opportunity devoid of bureaucratic obstacles....it's probably better to have the security of PR before buying but if you feel comfortable then go for it...30 days for approval and every house or land contract will allow it as an exit clause .

Good luck with the home hunting.

By the way, if anyone knows the conditions on disposal if PR isn't granted I'd be greatful..six months left before we're too late to fulfil Business Visa regs !

Thanks for all your help, that's set my mind at ease.

mmmm i just went and got a morgage and bought a house. No one asked to look at my Visa or passport for that matter . Only been here a year . And i got the $7000 rebate as well.
Don't know what the FIRB is or who they are

More the fool you if you did not read what you were signing, when you took the rebate or signed the sale of contract.

FIRB permission is required for non PR and certain other visa's - a sore point for some is that you may be exempt but not necessarily your OH.

Can anybody tell me if there is a maximum you can spend on a house when you do not have PR, I read once it was $300,000, has this now changed?

Don't know if there is a maximum, but there are other conditions attached to buying without PR. Check the FIRB website to see what those are.

Just checked it out and there is a limit of $300,000. Can you buy much for this amount??

The $300,000 limit is only for students..

Yes we are going as students.

Not in any of the major centres. In Adelaide you can still get a fairly nice place for $300k. From looking at other cities on domain there isn't much. I guess it depends on whether you want/need a large house with pool, etc or a unit. Certainly you could get a nice unit or townhouse somewhere else for $300.

When I looked into this I spoke to the FIRB and they said $300k WAS the limit, but at the same time every case is individual! ... and people HAVE been granted on a $400k property!

I know of someone who has apparently been given the verbal 'yes' on something like $700k ... His reasoning is that as there is 3 students who will be living in this house, it has been granted.

I have no reason not to believe them!

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