flashbunny

We are a family of three looking to emigrate to Oz next Jan-Feb 2011 We looked at what visa we can get in with and worked out we would have to come in as a student Visa and study for 18 months - 2 years as we are not on the skilled short list. We not really bothered about this route as i was going to go back and study in scotland. We still trying to work out if me or mu husband would do course but i am worried that his health would stop him getting the visa as he had a defibe fitted and removed in 3 years.

We planning to move to Perth and would also have to look at Primary schools as my daughter would be four and half by 2011.

Has anyone went through the student route and came out of the end of it with a visa to stay in oz for good?

Can anyone reccommend area and good primary schools?

And how easy is it to do your own application as we join a emmigtation group to do ours and they mucked us about then went backrupt. Luckly we paid by credit card and we got our full money back.

All we need now is our house to sells as this will give us the money to start the process.

Mclauchlan Family

Kingseat

Hi

There are quite a lot of us here on Student Visas at the moment and it is very stressful for us just now. Have a look at this for starters:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ight=job+ready

There are a couple of families who have made it to PR but it was when rules were different. One family did hairdressing from memory but the whole process cost them 100,000! Don't get me wrong, it can still be done but please be fully aware of what is involved before you make such a big leap.

Just to confirm that your course needs to be CRICOS registered. You can only work 20 hours per week. You will have school fees to pay. It costs shed loads of money.

I am not trying to put you off honestly.....this was our only way of getting here. With these recent changes though we've been doubting our decision.

You should also do a full search of all the other student threads on the forum as there is a huge amount of information in there.

We used overseas emmigration (richard greegan) in Edinburgh. They are registered agents.

If you need anything else let me know.

Dorothy

As Kingseat says, it's very expensive and no guarantee at the end of a permanent visa. You would be much better off staying put, studying in Scotland where you're not paying international fees, and getting a skill that way. Australia is not going anywhere and really, it's anyone's guess whether the rules will change again before you're done your course anyway.

balkanghost

Ditto, still unclear on pathways, Job Ready tests and whether more chnages to MODLs etc.

Bermudashorts

It is not a case of studying for two years and being handed a visa at the end of it. The people on this path at the moment are having a complete and utter nightmare as far as I can tell. The student route has been abused in the past so the government is making it very difficult for anyone now.

Unless you are independently very wealthy, I would agree with Dorothy, you are much better off training at home and then applying as a skilled migrant.

Kingseat

Just to put the money side into context we've spent money on

Flights 2500 gbp
Shipping 5000 gbp
Course fees 15000 gbp
car $17,000
motorbike $15,000
rental - we needed to pay 6 months in advance $11,000
Visa fees 400 gbp
Medicals 500 gbp
Police Checks can't remember
Agent fees 500 gbp
All the fees in connection with mobiles, internet, gas and electric etc $500

That's just off the top of my head with no real thinking about it.

On top of that you are restricted with work as I mentioned above.

If you speak to Richard (he was very good with us) he'll be too the point that you will actually leave thinking it is not a good idea. We talked and talked and talked about it before making the final decision. Only then was he happy to proceed.

It is obviously up to you guys what you decide to do but it absolutely not an easy route. Be prepared! Good luck.

shears

Hi flashbunny

As Kingseat said, it's a bit of a minefield at the moment. I would not make any firm decision regarding anything until the new MODL list is issued. This was due to be released in December but there's talk of it coming out in February. If not Feb then March ... you get the picture!

The pressure it puts on you as a family cannot be overstated. There is the constant pressure of school fees on top of all your other living expenses, the work restrictions, and just the general uncertainty. We came out in Sept 07, applied for our visa in Aug 09, and in Sept 09 the new priority processing times came into effect. This essentially means our visas will probably not commence processing for another 2 years; in the meantime we have 2 school-age children, no permanent residency so very difficult to find permanent work.

I really hate to be all doom and gloom about this; we wee so excited when we were going through the whole process of moving over but at that time the pathway was much clearer. Unfortunately the changes that are thrown up along the way by the government have now made it even more difficult. We were prepared to take the risk at the time, but doing it now with the current visa rules I'd be very hesitant.

You never said how old either you or your husband are. This will obviously have some bearing on your decision as you need a certain amount of work experience in your "new" trade before you would be eligible for a visa (if you studied in Scotland). You should also bear in mind your husband's health condition - if it's ongoing or not, as this could affect you when it comes to medicals (even if he's not the main applicant).

As for using a migration agent for the student visa there really is no need. The application process is very straightforward and is one of the fastest types of visa to be issued. You just apply online and then organise your medicals. Have a look at the immigration website (http://www.immi.gov.au) for more information.

Best of luck and feel free to ask any more questions - there are plenty of us on this site going down the student visa route.

cheers
shears

flashbunny

Hi i am 32 and my husband is 34 so we know this has got to be done soon. As for school we where told we didnt need to pay for that. i take it was another lie for imagtation group. yes we have lot to look into but have year or so and we really dont like living in uk and y husband not willing to learn another langue so most counties out of window.

I also suffer from SAD in winter and sometimes in summer so country with a lot of light is what i need.

comet555

If you're worried that his health might stop you from getting a visa then you're best to look into that before doing anything else.

Even if you are the one to do the student visa and apply for permanent later on everyone in the family must pass the medical. So if you're worried about the medical now then what are you going to do when you apply for permanent later on? Also, even if the plan works will you still qualify then (age, etc)?

As others have said it's not an easy route, and it would make more sense to study where you are as the tuition is cheaper and it's a lot less risky.

Kingseat

Hi flash

Sorry to confirm but you need to pay for school fees from when your daughter will start year 1 which is when she will be 6. If you ever manage to get onto the Graduate Visa (ie the visa you are on before you apply for PR) your school fees may be waived. I know they are in Brisbane and Perth but not sure about other cities/areas.

Can you tell us what courses you are interested in. May be we can help further?

Definitely have a look at the medical side of thing soonest. If you know that doesn't prevent you from getting a visa from the outset then you can start to make firmer plans.

pumpkin blossom

Another vote for looking at the medical issues before planning ANYTHING else. Good luck

flashbunny

Hi,

Thank you for all the answers. Anyone know where best place to ask about his condition or would we just have to get medical done first and see what the outcome off it is.

I have a degree in hospitality so thinking about course around that, i know the skill short list one of the jobs is Baker. My husband is willing to retrain in anything.

After i got the qulification in Scotland could we move right to Oz or would i have to spend longer here and do work experience for so long?

Thanks again

SHARON

Bermudashorts

Hi Sharon

Regarding the medical condition, I am not sure if it will be possible to go for medicals and see if you pass or fail as the panel doctor does not decide, the Health Operations Centre in Sydney will decide. And I don't think they will just take a look or commit to a decision in this type of scenario. What I would recommend is that you speak to a migration agent with some specialist knowledge of health issues and a prognosis from your GP might be helpful in this regard.

Regarding retraining in the UK, there is still the risk that the skills list will change whilst you are mid course, just as there is if you are in Australia. You will definitely need at least 12 months recent experience in an occupation on the SOL to satisfy skilled migrant requirements. In addition to this you may need additional work experience to pass a skills assessment, which you need to do before you apply for the visa, these requirements vary by occupation so you will need to read up on the occupations you are interested in retraining for.

Pollyana

Peter Bollard is a migration agent often recommended for medical issues