Guy Betsy was amazing. I sent in my info while eating b'fast and low and behold I have a visa in my inbox while having dinner (yes the same day!!) My pass it forward choice is a membership in Rails-to-Trails which I will be using multiple times this weekend to prepare for a really long coach flight and I hope others try them too!
MSV
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Guy, You're a star.
Your help will add the A$20 fee towards the cost of setting up an adapted home for the 22yr old son of someone I know. Tom was involved in a snowboarding accident & looks likely to be paralyzed from the neck down.
Tom's father is a very senior (& capable) UN staff member who himself narrowly escaped death in the bombing of the UN headquarters in the Canal Hotel in Baghdad back in 2003. This should remind us all to count our blessings.
Pls assist in my visa application... What details do you require from me? I'll be travelling on Friday 24th Aug. Pls assist.
Kindly advise accordingly. Thank you very much.
Regards,
Pauline
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
I would like to offer my services of processing Australian ETAs for free to fellow FT members and travelling companions.
As some of you may be aware that the visas are generally charged (about US$12) by most airlines and other visa processing services including the Australian ETA site-www.eta.immi.gov.au, I will not charge you. *However I would suggest you can perhaps do a good deed by doing something nice for somebody else unexpectedly (unknown would be better), or perhaps by making a donation to the local Humane Society, or some other charitable donation of your choice. Basically, "Pass it Forward" Thanks ! Feel free to post how you intend to do your deed !
PM me if interested.
PS - Please note however, that I can only do these if things aren't too busy for me. So please do not get offended if I can't do the visas right away. And please do not rely on me to remember if you have sent me information previously.
The visas are valid one year from date of issue, are multiple entries with a validity of 3 months per entry. Visas normally processed are for vacation only and for a select number of nationalities, free business visas may also be processed.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulinechia00
I'll be travelling on Friday 24th Aug. Pls assist.
Hi Pauline & welcome to FT.
You may find that Guy is on holiday at the moment, as he hasn't posted anything in his usual haunts for a while.
Should you not hear anything within a very short time, please don't make the mistake of trying to travel without getting your ETA sorted out. (The site Guy quotes www.eta.immi.gov.au is usually the simplest route.)
It apears that student visas are a lot more expensive than tourist visas. What are the odds that i'll get caught if i just get a tourist visa?
I'd think the odds of getting caught were pretty good, my impression based on our company's experience with seconding someone over there for a year is that Australia takes visa stuff seriously.
In addition, an ETA is good for a maximum 3 month stay, are you factoring in the cost of doing a visa run every three months even if it does work?
I'd think the odds of getting caught were pretty good, my impression based on our company's experience with seconding someone over there for a year is that Australia takes visa stuff seriously.
In addition, an ETA is good for a maximum 3 month stay, are you factoring in the cost of doing a visa run every three months even if it does work?
A tourist visa is $70 while a student visa is $385. I figure for 310 I can go on a nice weekend trip to NZ.
A tourist visa is $70 while a student visa is $385. I figure for 310 I can go on a nice weekend trip to NZ.
With the current climate, I would not mess with the visa process if you have any desire to finish out more than a semester or so over there with no trip out of the country or to go back once you've completed your studies. Not that they're guaranteed to catch you, just if they did they won't be particularly polite about it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClimbGuy
It apears that student visas are a lot more expensive than tourist visas. What are the odds that i'll get caught if i just get a tourist visa?
100%.
Your school will not admit you without a proper Student Visa Authority. Once admitted, they will be reporting to the immigration authorities your class attendance records. Failure to attend a minimum specific number of days will cause your visa to be terminated immediately and you will be asked to leave Australia. You will also have a permenant record against you and future visits to Australia will result in a visit to the nearest Australian Embassy or High Commission instead of through ETAs.
Don't mess with the Australian or any immigration authorities when visas are concerned.
On that sombre note, you may however, enter Australia on a visitors visa initially and then switch over to a student visa when you are in the country. However that will eventually cost you more .. more time, more paperwork and more costs.
What sort of course you're taking is also relevant.. if you are taking something of 'interest' , ie personal development courses over a week or two, then you don't need a student visa. But anything longer than say, 3 months in an accredited instituition, then you'd need the proper paperwork.
Last edited by Guy Betsy; Oct 12, 07 at 4:57 pm.
Reason: Spelling
ETA help
Thanks ! Feel free to post how you intend to do your deed !
