John's Page

My passport is up in 2011 and I was thinking I'd be better and cheaper off renewing it here before heading out to Oz.

One question I have is does my visa tag get transferred across into the new passport, or do I just travel with the two of them if going in and out of Oz?

Just had a thought this morning (rare I know) while sitting drinking coffee in the conservatory looking out at a dark, cold Scotland and wishing I was in Brisbane.

We have our permanent resident visas good up until 2013. Now we plan to move this year, probably August, but my thought was - is there some criteria we need to fulfil to keep the visa or qualify for citizenship. I remember reading something yonks ago about having to live for 24 months and work for 12 months but can't remember if that… Continue

Well, we've booked up to go to the Leeds event and get as much info on moving the finances, moving the pets, moving companies and everything else.

With the house nearly done, just to get the joiner in to fit a couple of replacement doors, we should be on the market in February and then it's just a case of waiting until sold. Biggest problem are the cats, 3 of them, 2 of which are quite old, one is twenty this year and the other is about 18. Depending on what the vet says they may not be able to… Continue

Hit a bit of a problem with the job I previously mentioned. It's not completely fallen through but an issue has popped up which may mean I need to body swerve the offer for a while.

While this is working itself out, can anyone recommend an agency which will place people still in the UK with employers in Australia. I've been applying for jobs in Oz but not getting very far as obviously the employers want someone already there to give the job to.

Thanks in advance.

Well, there you go ... after all the disappointment over the house price and plumetting exchange rate, a contact I made in Oz has popped up and offered me a permanent job. So, we're currently in the middle of negotiating it all but essentially I'd be going over in January and working on a client site in Sydney which means I'd be back to living out of a hotel but that means they'd be picking up the tab for food, accomodation etc.

The wife would stay here to finish off the remaining small jobs on… Continue