Visa Approved - 6 months to get visa stamped - cant make it in 6 mnths

[littlebritain]

Hi
Had amazing news after a two year wait. Was a shock to see it in black and white that we have 6 months to get our visas stamped or they will not be valid??
For some reason I had read we have 12 months for this - anyone know any different or any reason we can request the extension??
Thanks

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Hi littlebritain
Welcome to the forum.
Congrats on getting your visa! It is over 20 years ago since I received the 'news' but I can still remember very clearly, as if it were yesterday, the mixed emotions running through me when my hubbie and I opened the letter from DIMA (as I think it was known back then).

As to the 6 months you refer to. You and any accompanying dependents need to make a trip to Australia to 'activate' the visa. As required under our immigration legislation this 'activation' needs to be done within 12 months of the date of your earliest health and character clearances. Check out the dates of your medicals and police clearances - at least one of them will be about 6 months old. The date of your first entry is tied to the date of this clearance.

And no, no extensions will usually be granted (unless highly exceptional and unusual circumstances warrant it). Having to sell a property or see kids finish school etc are not considered exceptional circumstances.

It can be a pain I know but unfortunately it is how the regulations are drafted. Please note you are not compelled to stay here for any length of time once you make your first entry - you can enter the country, have the visa validated and then leave the next day if you wish. Although be mindful that the 5 year validity of this visa starts ticking from this time.

Hope this helps.