Our children and grandchildren immigrated to Australia ten years ago from South Africa.
Darryl and I followed, from South Africa in 2018, and applied for the 864 Aged Parent Contributory Visa in September that same year. The projected wait, by the Australian Government, for Parent Permanent Residence was approximately eighteen months at that time. Unforeseen delays caused by the Covid Lockdown and the queuing and quota system, resulted in a seven and a half year delay! This caused significant stress to say the least. Many phone calls and emails to Julie at Migration Downunder were made… Julie and her team kept us informed and updated us with any developments along the away.
Parent visas are capped and as the demand outweighs supply, the wait was much longer than anticipated.
At all times we felt we were being ‘looked after’ and supported by Migration Downunder. I am sure that Julie and her team were as delighted as us when the news of our Permanent Residency arrived at the end of March this year.
During those 7 years we’ve been busy working as Carers and at one stage Darryl played the role of Father Christmas in David Jones Department Store!
With all our hard work, we managed to purchase a house in a lifestyle resort in Stanhope Gardens. Our children have been helping us renovate
We have been on a camping trip, in 2022, circumnavigating Australia and last year we went on another trip to the Red Centre!
But of course, the reason that we wanted to come and live in Australia is to be with our precious family and share all those good (and not so good) times with our children and grandchildren. We have made the most of our time here so far and never stop adventuring and discovering new places.
Australians have been super friendly and welcoming, and we now feel right at home.
Next step……..Australian citizenship!
Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi.