Lynsey Nicolson

from date of lodgement to my employer being approved as a sponsor took 28 days. That came back on the friday. My visa was approved on the tuesday, 4 days later! Once the employer part is approved it looks like everything else is pretty quick. We did it through an agent so they had all the information so there was no back and forth with forms for us. good luck

Odd, iv just searched for the dates im hoping to leave on and mine was £15 less with the code. Maybe its only discounted on certain dates. As you said you get 30kg for £63 instead of $2100 on singapore.

there is a code for emirates that gives you 45kg each when you book through the website directly. I got it when i opened a bank account with anz but its the same generic code that they give out so it would work even if you dont have an account. UKANZ09, it even gives a discount on the flight

Why would they freeze the cards? I had 2 scottish credit cards when I was in oz on my WHV and carried on paying them. Just change your billing address to your mums as you said and keep paying them.

be aware of when you submit it. My MA advised me yesterday that because of the price increase in July, IMMI see a surge of applicants before then. Ideally 457 has a timescale of 1-2 months for a low risk country but if there are lots of applicants before July, my MA said that IMMI would advise them of possible delays.

I did 3 months on my first year of my WHV and a further 6 months on my second whv and this is the company that is sponsoring me. I don't know if that counts. Either way, I'm not too concerned. I'm going to be there for at least 2 years so if it does count, great, if it doesnt, well its only another 9 months

You can still use your aussie cards

thats great, thanks! There's so much to read and get you're head around. I have already worked for him for 9 months before we apply for 457 so if this time is included within the 2 years then I will just wait and apply for it 15 months later. School fees dont affect and wont for a few years yet! Thanks again!

as far as I know, I have to be working with my employer for two years before applying for pr as he would be sponsoring my it. Is that not the case?

Thanks, I was aware of that already. That's a stress I'll deal with in 2 years hopefully

48 hour turnaround for a visa! As much as I am desperate to go back, I think my stress levels would go through the roof! Why would it be dealt with so quickly?

thanks for the links Finland. By the looks of it and the job that I will be in, I won't need to go for a medical. One less thing to stress about!

Hi, im in the process of applying for my 457 and just wondering what is involved in the medical? I'm aware of the xray and bloods as I had to supply them for WHV previously.

You shouldn't feel selfish or guilty at all. I've been away for 2.5years and in the process of applying for my 457. Obviously my family would want me to stay at home but there is too much opportunity for me to move away and make a life for myself. I'm so excited about every stage I go through with sponsorship,visa and any news I hear and my mum can't even crack a smile but it's only because she's going to miss me. I'm just back and planning my next move! You're family will come around eventually. I'm sure they will be upset but they would never stand in the way of your decision. There are so many ways to keep in touch now that they wont have time to miss you. Just tell them about the holidays they will be able to have!