Aus4us

Does anyone know if you can go to Aus before your visa is granted?
I have heard something about being able to collect your visa in NZ, and go on a holiday visa until then.

Maybe I have picked it up wrong.

We may be in a position where the house is sold and are able to go earlier.

Any advice would be great!!

Roni

Stewie

Hi Roni
Yes, there's no worries going to aus before the visa is granted...except for one minor detail. What do you do if you don't get the visa granted?

Many people who apply offshore,do as you suggest. Bearing in mind the maximum stay on an ETA or tourist visa, is 3 months at a time.
You have to advise your CO of your intention to go to Australia on an ETA and give contact details.
What happens is that once in Australia, you wait for the pre grant letter from your case officer and then advise your CO that you are leaving Australia, give them dates and flight details. Most people choose NZ to go to, the visa can be evidenced in Auckland. You will need to ensure the CO has a contact e-mail address whilst your in in NZ (hotmail is good) and you need to constantly check e-mails to see when the grant letter is e-mailed to you. Once you have the letter, print it out together with the e-mail as proof and after 3 or 4 days (sometimes it's longer) to give them time to put your details on the system, go along to the Australian Consulate Generals office in Auckland. No need to make an appointment, it's a queue. If your details are on the system, you'll get your visa evidenced. DIMIA advise that you need to be out of Australia for around 7 to 10 days.
You can then return to Australia to validate your visa.
It's a risky business because you have no idea when the visa may be granted, you need somewhere to live and you can't get a job because you have no visa! However it is an option if you feel confident enough that the visa grant is imminent.

JAJ

You can always visit on an ETA, but it's a bad idea to try to *move* on an ETA.

Wait until the migration visa is granted before taking any life changing decisions, you won't get any sympathy from DIMIA if you don't follow this advice.

Jeremy

Stewie

Absolutely!!

DIMIA advise not to give up work or sell your home before a decision is made on the visa.
We did.. but were in the final stage of a Contributory Parent Visa and would have been very unfortunate not to be granted this class of visa. However there was still a risk of refusal.
It's possible to up sticks and move before the visa grant, but you have to be aware that if it all goes pear shape, you're left without a job or a home!!

Aus4us

Thanks for the advice!!

It was just a thought!!