Oh hell, have sold our house but there are big delays with visas (Oz)

[sunnydelight]

As some regulars will know we're off to Oz, and were hoping to go mid/end April. I was cheerfully working on the basis that our visas would take 6-10 weeks from application (skilled independent, DH's job on the "in demand" list). which was a friend's experience. Having looked at the British Expats website it looks like I'm WAY off - 6-10 months more like (we submitted end of January). We put our house on the market two weeks ago and got a full asking price offer from chain free buyers within 5 days. We have said we'll complete end of April. There is a chance that DS can get a short term contract with his most recent employers who have an office in Sydney, if so they will sort visas short term so at least we can sell up and go. BUT, if we do this we will be on the other side of the world hoping the visas come through and if anything goes pear shaped we're bu**ered. We could pull out of the sale and wait for the full visas but there is no guarantee it will be as easy to sell again. Final option is to sell and rent (DH has been offered short term work here when his notice period expires) but if things go pear shaped I will have lost my lovely house and probably can't afford another like it as DH will be a contractor so we won't get a big mortgage AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm waffling now - opinions desperately wanted please.

rent or go with his firm. 6-10wks was way off though!

cx

It was way off herts and I feel pretty stupid, but the reason I thought that was the fact that we are using the same agent as the guy who got his visa in under 10 weeks, and he didn't tell us otherwise! It's the same class of visa as well.

sunnydelight - have you put a similar thread question on British Expats? I reckon you might get more luck there (I flick between that and MN!!)

I've spent most of the day browsing BE Harrogatemum but wanted to get a feel for it before I start posting! Good news today though, DH spoke to the Sydney office and it looks like there is a 2 year fixed term contract on offer. They are suggesting that, rather than applying for a business visa they try and use their influence as a big employer to speed up our current application. This would obviously be better for us as it eliminates the risk of moving to Sydney on a temporary visa then having PR refused, so fingers crossed.

Good luck Sunny Delight, all a big pain isn't it. We had dh's visa well and truly sorted before putting our house on the market but even with that it was difficult getting the timing right. Given the 'no-committment' method that is selling a house in England, I would take the no chain, full asking price offer and ask for a completion date as far away as possible. Are there any family/friends you can stay with here, if you need to? If your dh's employer is happy to try and speed things along, than that is a big plus for you.
Are you sending belongings out here via a container? If so, don't forget to factor their timings into things as well. You will need to allow time to organise a few quotes (at least 3) and then see if they can fit in with your completion date. I would be starting this process about 6wks before completion if you're going to get a few quotes done.

I waited until my visa was sorted before putting house on market and I was applying as family member.

But if you can get temporary visas then I would say go for it. Nothing demonstrates being in demand more than being there working!

i would however be a little cautious entering on a different visa via the work and then keeping your permanent residency visa application going iyswim. I know they can be funny about people coming on one visa and wanting another iyswim.

OK, well ours was submitted end Nov 2005 & we were accepted Feb 06, so all may not be lost.

I think you will have to look at renting short term, I wouldn't like to have come here with all my stuff, knowing it could all fall through & may have to go back.

Fwiw, my immigration agent strongly advises against what you did, he had a client sell his house & was then refused a visa.

We waited until we had the OK before advertising the house. You will get at least 9 months to get here from date the visa is granted (we had a year & were here at the end of June 06)

That was pretty fast sandcastles! Unfortunately with all the "Wanted down under" type programmes on tv at the moment I think the australian immigration dept are swamped by people wanting to emigrate. Looks like the company who are offering DH a job will try and use their clout to speed up the visa application we already have in rather than submitting a different one; that would be much better all round as we would have our PR straight away which is what we want. Will keep you posted!

It was quick. Quicker than our immigration agent quoted.

But we were going for a former resident visa, as dh used to live here & all his family are here. (but he wasn't/isn't a citizen). We were asked for evidence of how much we were bringing with us, so sent of the house deeds, then a week or so later got our OK. Dh didn't have a job here then, neither did I (sahm anyway) so they like to see that you can survive for at least 2 years without asking the Government for money.

It depends too on the agent who deals with your case. How slow/fast on the uptake they are. I do hope it comes through soon for you.

So any news on the visa Sunnydelight?

Hi scully - have been away so just seen this. Immigration seem to be speeding up a bit at the moment, so here's hoping. The company who offered to try and speed things up for DH are dragging their heels - TBH he doesn't really want to work for them so if they don't come through soon I think we'll just wait. The issue is the house - the purchasers are being very nice and we're all hoping now for mid/end May. I'll be screaming on here when it comes through!

Glad you have a few weeks before the house sale is finalised...I do hope you get your answer soon!