she'llberight

Hi

It's happened already and we've only just started!! ([hope we get better at this paperwork minefield as we go along]. We're just about to wing an email off to the rellies in Oz to let them know what they'll have to do for us for our application (going for the Skilled Designated Area Sponsored Visa). We know we need a Sponsor and an Assurer but what IS the difference? We've read the paperwork on what is required for both but they appear to be very similar. HELP!!!!!

Thanks.....

PS sorry if we're being dumb-asses

biggy

The sponsor and assurer can be the same person.... the sponsor is the person who is related to you .......the assurer is the person who meets the income limits etc and who says that they will financially support you if needs be, and the person who puts up the bond money .

In our case I was the main applicant as it was My cousin who sponsored us (although we went on my hubbys skills).....but as her hubby was the main wage earner and met all the criteria he was our assurer of support!!!!

Hope this helps


Ps THE ASSURER DOES NOT NEED TO BE A FAMILY MEMBER, BUT NEEDS TO BE AN AUSSIE CITIZEN OR PR HOLDER

she'llberight

You're a star biggy. Thanks !

We were starting to pull our hair out in confusion. Hope your answer will help someone else as well.

TTFN

biggy

If i can be of any further help give me a shout....we went same visa as you and they were granted 12th March...we r off to Aussie end of June

mischief

can I also ask something along those lines.

My hubbie has a cousin in Tasmana he is a plumber also which visa? We are currently in NZ for 2 years then want to go OZ.

she'llberight

Good Luck! Where are you off to? We hoping to go to Melbourne next year (paperwork and vallium supplies willing !).

biggy

we are going to Yeppoon in Queensland....kids are a bit p*ssed off because they break up for there summer holidays here on the 25th June and start there new school in Oz on the 13th July, so no long summer break, but they will make up for it come December.

ADELE & NIGE

Hi Biggy

We are doing the same visa as you, just wanted to know how long it took you to get yours?

Thanks Adele&Nigel

biggy

Hubbys skills assessment took 5 weeks at IEAust

Main application lodged 25th Sept 2003
Meds & PCC requested first week in Nov
Meds PCC returned 10th Jan 2004
Bond Requested 3 weeks later
Bond paid..........visa's granted 12th March 2004

so all in just over 5 months but we held up the meds by about a month due to the panel doc bein a useless arse..

JAJ

First cousins can sponsor for Skilled Designated Area Sponsored.

DIMIA's definition of 'first cousin' is quite specific, many people have a wider definition that they do not accept.

You need an assurer too (can be the same person).

You could start the visa process now, and validate your visas with a holiday in Australia before the first entry date that DIMIA will set. The visa is valid for 5 years, usually it's wise to move within 3 (so as to easily get a resident return visa or citizenship by the end of the 5 year period).

If you have PR in NZ, you should at least make sure you get indefinite returning resident visas before leaving. Two years should be enough for that.
Jeremy

hevs

Your assurer doesn't have to be a relative either.

JAJ

That's correct - assurer does not have to be related (but does have to be an Aus citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen and usually resident in Australia).

However one trap for assurers is the requirement to have 2 years ATO tax assessments showing *taxable* income at the required level.
This catches out some people.

There is flexibility with the income requirements on discretionary assurance, but for visas with a mandatory assurance of support like skilled sponsored, there's no flexibility at all.

Another trap that catches people out is that it's not possible for one person to act as assurer for more than two people. This is an issue in a number of instances, including cases where children turn 18 during processing (they may need to be covered by a separate assurance of support).

Jeremy