Springbok Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 Hi everyoneI have just discovered this forum. My name is Charl Marais, I'm 32, single and Afrikaans. Working as quantitative analyst in credit risk at Nedbank in Sandton. Applied for the Skilled Independent visa through Hitchcock & Associates. Received my permanent residence visa a month ago and planning to visit family in Brisbane in April 2007 to activate the visa. As I work in banking, my preference is to settle in either Sydney or Melbourne.I hope to meet some of you here in Joburg or Pretoria, but would also like to hear from people who are already in Sydney or Melbourne. I spent 2 weeks in Melbourne in 1999 and loved the place!For those of you still planning to emigrate, you can buy quite a handy guide for US$15 and download it at http://www.arriveandthrive.com/aus/index.htmCheersCharl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 Hi CharlWelcome to the forum! We have one thing in common, we both love MELBOURNE! We have been here nearly 10 years now, and I really could not think of living anywhere else.If you have any questions, we would be happy to try and answer them.If you find yourself in Melbourne on your proposed visit, then we would be happy to meet with you.Mara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest B H Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi Charl - Welcome! You'll find this site VERY helpfull. Just as an introduction - I'm in Pretoria, & I was in a very similar field to you in Credit Risk & ABF at Imperial Bank (Now part of Nedbank). Was wondering where Hitchcock & Associates are based ? Did you need a degree to qualify on the Independant Skills Visa? I'm asking on behalf of someone else, but will check it up on the DIMIA website anyways, thanks, Bronwyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springbok Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi Bronwyn, what a coincidence, I am actually outsourced by Nedbank to Imperial Bank!Hitchcock & Associates is based in Sydney. The MD, Cecil Bass, is actually from Joburg, but migrated to Australia in 1998 and joined Hitchcock 2 years later. Another director, Annaleen v/d Westhuyzen, is also from S.A. Hitchcocks have 2 offices in S.A.:131 Rubida StreetMurrayfieldPRETORIARegus - Sandton Square2nd Floor, West TowerNelson Mandela SquareCnr Maude & Fifth StreetSANDTON Their consultants meet with prospective clients in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town.You need 120 points for the Skilled Independent visa, but it depends on a quite number of factors. I have an engineering degree, but cannot remember if a degree is a prerequisite. There is a very useful guide downloadable for US$15 at http://arriveandthrive.com/aus/ - it covers all the different visas in the first chapter.RegardsCharlHi Charl - Welcome! You'll find this site VERY helpfull. Just as an introduction - I'm in Pretoria, & I was in a very similar field to you in Credit Risk & ABF at Imperial Bank (Now part of Nedbank). Was wondering where Hitchcock & Associates are based ? Did you need a degree to qualify on the Independant Skills Visa? I'm asking on behalf of someone else, but will check it up on the DIMIA website anyways, thanks, Bronwyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest B H Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Charl we probably know a lot of the same people! You are probably based in Sunninghill then? It is a small world! Don't worry I won't mention you or the forum, I found it's better to keep work away from these types of plans! Thanks for the info - I am going to pass it on to my brother in England. They are desperate to move to Aus but don't know where to start. They need an agent, don't have the time or energy to do it themselves.Regards, Bronwyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springbok Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi BrendaSunninghill yes, but I work mostly at Nedbank in Rivonia road...just more convenient for me.Hitchcock also has an office in London as far as I know.Contact Person: Sandra Francois (she's in Durban, S.A.)Mobile: +27 83 4416404 Office: +27 31 2083355 Email: hitchsf@worldonline.co.zaI know Cecil Bass and his team also visit London on a regular basis to meet with clients.Tell your brother to pay the fees and Hitchcock will take care of everything = no sleepless nights!regardsCharlCharl we probably know a lot of the same people! You are probably based in Sunninghill then? It is a small world! Don't worry I won't mention you or the forum, I found it's better to keep work away from these types of plans! Thanks for the info - I am going to pass it on to my brother in England. They are desperate to move to Aus but don't know where to start. They need an agent, don't have the time or energy to do it themselves.Regards, Bronwyn Oops, sorry! I meant Bronwyn, just have Brenda on my mind today... Hi Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest B H Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi BrendaSunninghill yes, but I work mostly at Nedbank in Rivonia road...just more convenient for me.Hitchcock also has an office in London as far as I know.Contact Person: Sandra Francois (she's in Durban, S.A.)Mobile: +27 83 4416404 Office: +27 31 2083355 Email: hitchsf@worldonline.co.zaI know Cecil Bass and his team also visit London on a regular basis to meet with clients.Tell your brother to pay the fees and Hitchcock will take care of everything = no sleepless nights!regardsCharlOops, sorry! I meant Bronwyn, just have Brenda on my mind today... No worries, I know what you meant (PS. You can edit your posts - I do it all the time, haha!) I have sent all your info to my brother already, hope he acts on it! Regards, Bronwyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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