SJR

Hi

We have been in Oz for 9 months now and are looking to sell our house in the UK and buy over here. I have spoken to a mortgage adviser today who said there may be a problem with us getting a mortgage because we don't have permanent residency yet....that will take us another 2+ years to obtain. The SIR visa is a temporary visa for those who aren't familiar with it. Does anyone have any experience in this area?? We understand that we have to get approval from the Foreign Investment Board but don't know what this entails.

Thanks,
Sandra

Swerv-o

My friend in Adelaide on an SIR visa got FIRB approval within 3 weeks of landing. Not too sure about a mortgage though as he is filthy rich and didn't need one...

S

SJR

Thanks for that. Is your filthy rich mate going to be living in the house or is it for investment? Investment doesn't seem to be a problem so long as we don't live in the house but that's the whole point! I want to have my own house so I can put 50,000 picture hooks in the walls if I want to!

I wish i was filthy rich

Swerv-o

Well perhaps I'm doing him a little diservice, but he had enough to buy outright anyway. Yes, they are going to be living in it, but it doesn't complete until January if I remember correctly.

I'd give you his name but he probably wouldn't appreciate it...

Suffice to say, he did get FIRB approval in a very short period of time.

Hope that helps,

S

raven

I am coming to aus in Nov on a sirs visa. I am under the assumption that u can buy when u want to, providing you have permision from your state. We are going to Queensland so maybe it is a little different there.I am also a little confused as to why it will take another 2 years for ur permanent visa if u have already been there 9 months.thought u can apply for permanent visa as soon as u have woked for 12 months. Let me know what u find out will be interesting to know
Raven

SJR

Hi, that's interesting. We were under the impression that we had to live here for 3 years in total but could apply for PR after 2. One of the conditions of the visa is also that my husband (he is the main visa holder) works for 12 months within the occupation he was accepted on. I will investigate further!!! It would be brilliant if that were the case as we could then apply for PR early next year.

Thanks, Sandra

SJR

I just checked it out:

Stage Two: Applying for a Permanent Residency Visa
While holding a SIR (Provisional) visa, you must have:
• Resided in an area of WA outside the Perth metropolitan area for at
least two years AND
• Been employed in regional Australia for a minimum of one year.
You can then apply for one of the following two visas:
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
• State/Territory Nominated Independent scheme

raven

Imust look into this further i was under the impression that after you had done your two years u could apply for a permanent visa

raven

So u are saying that even after 2 years you are still commited to living in a regoinal area

nickos12

Hi,

we bought a house within 3 days of arriving. Mortgage no problem.
You just down load the forms from the FIRB and give them to your real estate agent and he does the rest. we got approval in 7 days.
We have since bought another property, the only stipulation was that it had to be a new build as we already have a dwelling. FIRB approval again within 7 days.
We havent encountered any problems at all with buying houses or securing a mortgage on an SIR visa.
Only have 4 months left before we apply for PR, the last 20 months have flown by

Nick

JAJ

For another 2 or so years in most cases.

The_Stockwells

We have been in Adelaide on a SIR Visa for 9 months now and are just in the process of buying a house. FIRB can be applied for via www.firb.gov.au and is really simple - you have to find the house first though. The only problems we've encountered with getting a mortgage is that because we are temporary residents, we cannot borrow more than 80% because anymore than 80% requires mortgage insurance which the insurance companies won't give because you're temporary! So, buy a house that won't cost you more than an 80% mortgage and you can pretty much go to any high street bank in OZ.

Re the Visa/residency status... within the first 2 years you have to have had a full 12 months of employment in ANY job - you just need to prove that you've been working. Then you can apply for a PR after 2 years and if you get it, I believe you have to agree to stay in a regional area for another 2 years.

Hope this helps.

Martine, Adam & Jacob

P.S - we love it here!

SJR

Thanks for that. You must have landed around the same time as us as we've been here 9 months too. Landed New Years Day in Perth and are living in Albany.

We love it too!

framac

A wee bit clearer. How does it work if wife (hairdresser) is primary applicant but I'm main earner (welder) as wages pay more. She wants to work but children come first. Does she still have to show a years work.

SJR

Hi, the conditions that I was stating were for the SIR visa....is that the visa you are on?