I got my visa!

This topic was created by I got my visa! (I got my visa!)
[Wed 19 May, 21:26 Tasmanian Standard Time]

I got my visa!I got my visa!I got my visa!I got my visa!
I got my visa today!
And I'll tell you why I'm so pleased about it. I'm 26, so
all those doom and gloom stories about not being able to
get one over 25 is rubbish. And I guess it proves that they
haven't run out of places either.
I hedged my bets fairly thoroughly by including in my
application everything that I could think of. My boss wrote
me a letter of recommendation, saying that I had been
granted a year's leave of absence, and could come back on
the same pay. I also wrote a mini essay saying why I wanted
to go, why it had taken me til now, how I was looking
forward to exchanging cultural knowledge and and a bank
statement with $5040 Australian dollars in it, so they knew
I wasnt going to be a drain of the country's resources.
The only thing that caught me out was putting that I would
be doing mainly bar work or waitressing on the application
form. They wrote back asking for a doctor's letter.
These are the three things the doctor's letter had to say:
"applicants involved in any of the above occupations are
required to provide a recent certificate of report from
their doctor as to the applicants current state of health
including fitness to:
travel to Australia
remain in australia for the proposed period of stay
return to their home country"
the "above occupations" being things like education,
healthcare, and food and drink.

[There are 6 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 22:02]

Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.

Topics | Thorn Tree | Home


  1. Congrats! Added by: Voyager
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 4:48 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Have Fun!!!



  2. well done .. Added by: debs
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 9:50 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I am 29 and trying to apply for a visa now, can you give me
    any other tips, how much did you write ?..
    thanks



  3. Visa Tips Added by: Phil (P.Higson@gwh.pgmd.man.ac.uk)
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 18:02 Tasmanian Standard Time]


    Congratulations on getting your visa! I'm 28 and I've got
    one too, so it's obviously worth applying for,despite what
    various other people say. So Debs, fingers crossed! I
    wrote a couple of sides of A4 for my statement, and based
    it on a questionnaire that I had from Trailfinders. I put
    why I wanted to go, why I thought Australia would benefit
    from my visit (Probably the most difficult bit - emphasise
    your skills & qualifications)why I hadn't gone when I was
    younger and what I had done to prepare for the visit (done
    research through guide books) etc. I emphasised the chance
    to experience different cultures & diversity of the people
    and country. I also got a letter back asking for a doctors
    report - I also needed something from a hospital consultant
    so if you have any particular illnesses make sure you get
    something to cover this!
    Then I basically pleaded a bit! - last chance because of
    my age, committing my savings to the trip etc. Anyway, it
    worked! Hope this is a bit of help and good luck!
    Phil.



  4. my begging letter Added by: jackie (I got my visa!)
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 23:40 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Hi Debs
    and thanks for your replies, everyone.
    My letter to the embassy was unashamedly eager and licky,
    and I have copied it below. Good luck in your application,
    I hope you have as good a time as I am looking forward to
    having. Another discussion group that I found really
    helpful is at www.tntmag.com.au/ but it takes forever to
    download, so be patient
    Jackie
    Dear Sir or Madam
    Please would you consider my application for a Working
    Holiday Visa. I am 26 years old, and plan to visit
    Australia in June 1999 for one year, and anticipate having
    to work for extra funds to fund my travels throughout the
    year.
    I enclose proof of sufficient funds, and a letter of
    reference from the Chairman of my company, with assurance
    of a position when I return.
    My main reasons for wanting to visit Australia are to
    travel, to meet people, and to adventure. To climb Ayers
    Rock, snowboard on the Great Dividing Range, dive on the
    Great Barrier Reef; to meet a shark, go white-water
    rafting, desert trekking, bush walking, surfing and bungee
    jumping. I cannot think of anywhere more diverse,
    interesting or exciting than Australia, and have been
    looking forward to visiting for a very long time. In
    return, I hope that my visit will benefit the cultural
    exchange between the UK and Australia - I have enjoyed
    meeting and learning from many Australians and New
    Zealanders since planning this trip. They have all been
    friendly and helpful, and most have given me their
    addresses and asked me to stay, so it would be nice to do
    the same in return.
    After leaving University, I worked to get established in a
    career, and since February 1996 have been employed by a
    software development company. This job quickly developed
    into a management position, and I have picked up a lot of
    very useful skills along the way. I have reached the point
    now of having enough experience in my chosen field to be
    assured of a job when I return, but not yet having the
    responsibility of a mortgage or dependants.
    I hope that you will consider my application for a Working
    Holiday Visa favourably, and look forward to hearing from
    you soon.
    Yours faithfully



  5. good for you hon.. Added by: alli131
    [Timestamp: Sat 22 May, 3:36 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    you are so lucky!I don't know you but I hope you have the
    best time in the world. Now all you have to worry about is
    what are you going to wear? Au Revoir



  6. My God! Added by: Sodomy Swine of Sydney
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 22:02 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    My God, you people (poms, no doubt) are so desperate aren't
    you?
    ***
    Well, I hope you do have a wonderful time out here, but
    after your 12 months of boozing and trashing the place, do
    go quietly back home and start making something of
    yourselves OVER THERE.




Add a post

Your name or handle
Your email address (optional)
A title for your post

Away you go...

Topics | Thorn Tree | Home


Lonely Planet Publications

talk2us@lonelyplanet.com.au