Marisawright

So if her RRV has expired again, I'm guessing she only got a year last time? I can see why Immigration is taking its time about the application, because in spite of the fact that you're citizens, it doesn't seem as though she has any intention of living in Australia permanently.

True, but that was a long time ago. Nowadays, because of those dramatic failures, they are very very cautious about introducing things like this and run years of tests before going ahead.

I recall your post last year. Please, please, please do not do ANYTHING, and certainly DO NOT get on a plane to Australia until you have consulted a good migration agent (Paul Hand, who just answered, is one). If you do the wrong thing, like arriving on the wrong visa or applying for the wrong visa once you arrive, you could destroy your chances of ever being together. I know an agent costs money, but how much do you value your relationship? You can't afford to make a mistake as your whole future is at stake.

No, you can go on holidays but make sure you've got your RRV in place.

I can see how that advice would work for Brits contemplating a move to Europe - cheap airfares, visit off-peak when hotels are cheap, etc. However, in Australia holiday accommodation is expensive all year round, plus the air fares just to get here, plus domestic airfares aren't that cheap either. Not many people could afford to visit "several times".

What visa did you apply for originally (that you had the bridging visa for?).

For me, the value of the Singapore stopover is the chance to shower and have a few hours sleep. Then you arrive in Australia fresh and ready to go. There are good transit hotels inside the airport and there is so much to do at the airport itself, you don’t even need to go through passport control

There’s no point in doing that until you know whether it’s even a possibility. To be eligible to move to Australia, one of you must have an occupation that’s on the skilled list. Not only that, you must have the qualifications and experience specified on the list. Then you must score enough points on a formula which considers things like your age and English competence. Not surprisingly, only a small percentage of people can meet all those criteria, and you may find you’re not one of them. Best plan is to have a consultation with a good migration agent first to know where you stand

No need for any kind of special registration. Just get yourself a ABN and you can then work as a “sole trader”. I know lots of women on WHV who have worked as a dance teacher that way

The names mentioned are all suitable agents

Yes, you’re relying on Victoria not checking and I’d say that’s risky

To be honest, I'm relieved to hear it. We're only in our late 60's but have been looking into retirement villages (including those in Tasmania) and I have to say, I'm yet to find one that isn't a ripoff. The problem is they nearly all have contracts where you lose a LOT of money if you're not able to stay till you die. If you need to move to a higher dependency home, there are often huge penalties to pay, and they're often hidden in the small print where they're easily overlooked. If you're able to find an ordinary villa or apartment near your daughters for now, while you're still able to cope, it may not be where you'd prefer to be, but at least you'll be close to your family and your money will stay under your control

I've read that Victoria won't invite you if you've also applied to another state.

There could be any number of reasons. Perhaps the department doesn't feel any of the applicants are sufficiently qualified. Perhaps they feel there are plenty of local web developers available right now. Or perhaps it's just part of the general slowdown on immigration by this government.

Actually no. Immigration is asking for PROOF of your bank transactions, and if you provide an Excel export, you could easily have doctored it. They expect an official bank statement on bank headed paper.

You definitely need a counsellor I think Your mother is manipulating you and you need professional help to deal with that. Even her generosity can be part of the manipulation. It makes you feel indebted which gives her more control

When you consider that’s like driving from Edinburgh to London twice over, it’s no wonder it’s expensive

We used Blue Mexican and they were fantastic but I think they may only do small moves

This should be a hot topic in Australia but the culture of home ownership is so great, it's not. I used to be married to an accountant who had a great spreadsheet, allowing you to calculate whether to rent or buy. It was based on the premise that houses doubled in price every ten years (because that's what happened in the capital cities then). It showed that renting was cheaper than owning if you planned to live in the home for less than five years. I wish I still had that spreadsheet! House prices, even in the cities, aren't expected to grow at anything like that rate for the foreseeable future. So I'm guessing the "break even" point would be more like ten years now. We're in our late sixties so we may not even live that long!

I'd say it's unlikely as he would have been given Permanent Residence, not Citizenship. Rules have changed over the years though.

Linda’s reply just illustrates how important it is for them to consult an agent before they even attempt to leave the UK

Yes there is such a thing as a 186 or 187 which is a permanent visa sponsored by an employer, but I'd be surprised if that's what the employer is offering. i believe it can easily take a year to get it approved and what employer will be willing to wait that long?

@Captain Rrecently moved there. Better job prospects than anywhere else that's been mentioned, I think. https://www.pomsinoz.com/topic/205739-newcastle-nsw/?tab=comments#comment-2479618

Just to be clear, if the employer sponsors you then it's a temporary visa for 2 or 4 years only, then you go home. Depending on the conditions, there might be an opportunity for you to apply for a permanent visa at the end of it, but it's a gamble - especially as the rules are tightening all the time, so you might find you're not eiigible by then.

Thank goodness you didn't do that without getting professional advice. We've had so, so many people on these forums whose adult children have lost all right to migrate to Australia because of hasty decisions about visas. Better to be stuck in Bali for six months than you being forced to return to the UK because she has no way to get PR! I'm relieved it worked out.