dade

We have just received a letter giving hubby 28 days to post the $100 000 bond for the extra 5 points. The money is sitting in our joint savings account at Lloyds TSB. Can we just do a direct transfer through Lloyds into the investment authority of our choice? I remember reading that some people were using money transfer companies. What proof do we send of having complied with the request? Finally what questions should we be asking the different authorities in order to make our choice as to who to invest with? Any other relevant info anyone can share would also be appreciated.

Thanks
Sani

bobbyftm

We posted our bond last year and went through HIFX. We confirmed an exchange rate and they confirmed the transaction and gave us an account number for our bank to transfer our pounds to and they then transferred into A$ and then transferred to the Treasury. We went with NSW Treasury, purely for the fact we could do everything by e-mail. Don't know if its different now, but at the time when we got the info, only the NSW gave e-mail addresses, the others were through postal. This proved dead useful as we could e-mail once HIFX confirmed the funds had transferred and they e-mailed back once they received them.

TheHallidays

We've just done this and chose based on the best interest rate being offered (each state has a web site with either an indicative rate posted on there or an email address to get an indicative rate).

We went for WA who just a few weeks back were offering the highest rate of 6.1% (although there's not a massive amount in them anyway).

Here's a brief summary of what to do:

Decide currency broker to use (we used HIFX as they were the easiest / quickest to register with for us)

Set up your account with them which then allows you to speak to a dealer - do the deal! (good rate at the minute) you can probably do all this with a bank too but rate might not be as good

In the meantime - decide which state and get them to EMail application form to you which you need to print, complete and fax back with your forms from DIMA (usually to them and Computershare who administer the bonds) - you will also have to post the originals

Provide the state's account details and your £s to your broker - sit back and chill!

You will get Email confirmation back from the state to say they have received it (after however many working days of waiting) - forward this to your CO and the state dept will post completed form to DIMA. About 3 weeks later - visa granted (as our was on Monday!)

Hope this helps - PM me if I can help further.

Jane

Katsmajics other half !!!

Post it to me address to follow guys.............................................. .................................................. ....................... Only kidding couldnt resist.