Black Knight1

G'day one and all,
This is my first post for me as I'm usually just lurking - but its a little ripper!!.

The OH posted on here on Tuesday (user name Crikey!) having a little moan on how long we had been waiting etc for news on the old visa. We woke up Wednesday morning, just getting ready for the 'old mans' retirement party (Day off work - always a pleasure!) & would you believe it - we only get THE CALL off the agent saying THE VISA IS IN THE BAG!! Naturally we had a few at the retirement do and then cracked open a few bottles of the old Bolly (Its been on chill for a year now!).

I thought I would finally get on here and say thanks for all the previous posts, they do help when you are going through it , and also post our time-line/story so far. So if you have 5 mins and fancy a read but its probably more of a record for us - hope y'all don't mind!

We went for a skilled sponsored 138 visa and we have used an agent Overseas Emigration Visas (OE). Time-line:-

House on the market with agent AHouse taken off agent A, on with agent BSkills Application lodgedSkills signed offVisa application sent from OEVisa lodged with DIMAHouse taken off B, on with agent COffer accepted on house 1 week from exchange, buyer pulls out - Joy! House taken off the marketNotification that we are at the Health & Character stageSold house - private sale! Agents who needs them! X Rays done Black Knight1 & Crikey! get married! Medicals - drop & cough ....What! Police Checks ReturnedAssurers interview with CentreLinkOE sent additional requested informationNow we did hit a slight glitch here, my assurer had the interview and I told him he would be notified within 2 weeks to lodge the bond. Two weeks go by so we phoned him and asked his wife (he was at work) if they had heard anything? She said no but thought that they had been handed a letter on the day ..... what did it say? Long story - short, the letter (which they had not read) was requesting the bond money & gave 2 weeks in which to lodge it! Doh, that time had ran out whilst we were on the phone! Don't panic!! Luckily they gave us a 4 day extension and my assurer lodged the money in cash in person! Phew (no stress at all!)
Assurer posted bond with bankCrikey! (the Mrs) emailed agent to check if there were any problemsPhone call from agent to tell us we had the visa!
So a big thankyou goes out to all at OE especially Rosie Wayte (Visa Team), Michael Riding (Skills Team) and Bridget Murphy (Lodgment Team). Who were always happy to reply to our queries and put our minds at rest!

I shall leave it at that for now - I hope that was not to much for Y'all and I hope it helps those just starting out!

Right where do we start from here?? Dog? flight? shipping?

Cheers

BK1

curly

CONGRATULATIONS

It's been a long haul for you, but you got there in the end, well done

N

BertieB

Congratulations - we're also going for the 138. Should be sending the skills assessment off next week.

Ann

stacey and jordan

I think you deserve some karma after all that and congratulations on the wedding.

Stacey xx

Sleeping Beauty

another congratulations from another 138 applicant.

well done

..........and we thought ours was dragging on.
xx

suzimc

And congrats from yet another 138 - the slow visa

As for where to go from here, you could try taking a look here: www.yellabrickroad.com - there's a countdown for moving which covers some of the things you mentioned...

Good luck with it all

Wendy

Or here http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345774


Congratulations on getting your Visa Black Knight1

PJA

MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Jane

Ozzidoc

Do you have a financial relationship with this website? You seem to recommend it in every single post that I see from you.

Juliecabs

Congratulations on getting your visa.
Great news

Julie. x

Bix da Boss

Good post!

A skilled visa can take so long cant it! Bet you are so relieved - now you can look forward to planning your move to Australia - well done and congratulations on your marriage from the BIX'S

Good luck

Gill

Black Knight1

Thanks very much to you all for your congrats! It has been a long time coming - it still seems a bit weird and I have a feeling that was the easy bit over with!!

Good luck to you all out there waiting - your time will come!

Cheers

sme

Well done on finally achieving what feels like the Holy Grail

Enjoy your new life !

Scossie

Congratulations BK1 (and Crikey).

Very good post. I think you'll fit in well here!

Sending you some karma to help you on your way...

atkinsfamily

Brilliant well done. Oh and congrates on your wedding