Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Matilda]

Just wondering if anyone else here has had experience with applying for a spousal visa to Australia?

Also, we are taking our beloved 'reformed' street moggie with us. Any tips or vet suggestions for the dreaded AQIS 1 month quarantine she will endure in Australia?

Any PMs or online replies are welcome!

[bundangbabo]

my wife just got her spousal visa approved last week. Lots of forms and documents you need to get but once you do that it happens pretty quick. It costs 1.3m won though so it aint cheap

[Matilda]

Mr bundangbabo, do you mind me asking how long the process from start to finish did take? I heard it would take a minimum of 4 months!

We can only submit our docs in August (after the 1 year living together requirement), so was thinking it would take us until the end of the year.

Did either of you have to go in for an interview at the embassy in Seoul?

[bundangbabo]

it took 3 months but would have been quicker but we had a lot of time wasted waiting for her crim check from canada so if you need any stuff like that, get on it now. As long as you arent 30 years apart or dodgy in any way then it will be quick. No interview either, pretty painless. Where is your partner from? If they are Korean then it might even be quicker as the case worker is Korean and they seem to be set up for dealing with Koreans moreso than westerners.

[timvas]

There is actually a lot more to it than 1 month quarantine for cats or dogs being taken into to Australia.

You actually need to plan at least 6 months before you travel:
- An approved vet needs to send a blood sample to an AQIS-approved lab to test that your cat has sufficient antibodies re rabies etc;
- 5 months after the first blood test you need to get another one done at an AQIS-approved lab, to show that your cat's antibody levels are still good:
- the cat must travel within one month of that second blood test;
- once the cat gets to Australia he/she will have to be in quarantine for a month.

Please check the above with your vet, hopefully you have some time up your sleeve before you go. Good on you for adopting a street cat too by the way.

[Stormy]

[Matilda]

Thanks timvas for the advice! Yes, we anticipate sending Rosie at the end of February 2009 - hence the planning at this stage. For others out there, the AQIS website is pretty helpful:

http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs/countries/cat4

Stormy, the daily charges for food and care are $13.55. There are other transport fees associated from the airport etc. Further info can be found on the checklist:

http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0012/112044/category-4-information-package.DOC

My task this week is to locate a 'Government Approved Veterinarian' somewhere - hopefully near Busan. Adopting a street cat does have countless more rewards. She is just so affectionate and happy now. I look at beautiful Rosie and imagine her playing on the grass in the sunshine. What a contrast to life in the alleys of Busan!

[big_fella1]

Glad to hear you�re going home mate. Just be aware between the drought, record fuel prices (set to go higher), rising interest rates, wowser Prime Ministers trying to increase alcohol taxes and the cozy Westfarmers (They own Bunnings and Coles), Woolworths duopoly home is no longer cheap.

I wish you, your wife and your cat all the best. Australia is still the greatest country on Earth, but now the privilege of living there costs.

[Stormy]

Thanks for the info Matilda. I was thinking the same thing about your cat - she really will have a fairy tale ending! Going from the crowded polluted streets of Korea to the wide open beautiful spaces of Aus, it will be funny to see her first reactions. Rosie is a beautiful name too. Thanks for the happy imagery. Any chance of a pic of Rosie?

[bundangbabo]

[Stormy]

[bundangbabo]

[Matilda]

[bundangbabo]

im from the gold coast....i didnt get any tax stuff in order..wasnt necessary...it is pretty painless for you but not for the spouse

[AussieGav]