veinkamerer Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 Chantalgr, spot on! Not in our hands. As I understand, we will hear from the language lab jhb on the 15th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 I've been advised to start thinking of purchasing property in Oz ? Thoughts on this ?Your chances of making a mistake are too big. Rent for at least 6 months first imho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chzaau Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Property market going mad here in Sydney... http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/crumbling-shack-with-harbour-views-in-balmain-to-fetch-close-to-2-million-at-auction/story-fngr8h4f-1227055697583 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Property market going mad here in Sydney... http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/crumbling-shack-with-harbour-views-in-balmain-to-fetch-close-to-2-million-at-auction/story-fngr8h4f-1227055697583The shack/house in the article is in the most amazing spot you can imagine. A buiding job for the brave, though. We moved into our house 1 June last year. Bumped into our estate agent a few days ago. He reckons the market has gone bannanas and if we had to buy this house again, in the current market, it would sell for 250k more. Doesnt bother me too much, as this is my final address ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Just spoke to Migrate2Oz about it too - we will just have to pray that they can proceed with business as normal next week. Apparently it's a standard review , and unfortunately it may impact us.EmNew, Just received this email from Denise at Language Lab CT: Good day,It is my unfortunate duty to have to report back to you that we are no longer running the IELTS tests in South Africa on behalf of IELTS Australia.We received word of this today, and unfortunately I have no choice but to cancel all upcoming tests with immediate effect.I am aware of the huge inconvenience that this will cause, but it is completely out of our hands and we have no say in the matter.Please send me your banking details, and I will arrange for a refund to be effected with all due haste.Once again, my sincerest apologies for this.Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further clarification.Regards,Matthew BaileyIELTS SupervisorCAMBRIDGE ESOL Center Exam Manager IELTSIELTS Online Applications: IELTS Online Results: International House-Language Lab54 De Korte StreetBraamfontein, JohannesburgSouth AfricaTelephone: +27 11 339 2484Fax: 086 552 5007Did Migrate 2 Oz say if we could book with the British Council? I have no idea how we need to go about IELTS now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted September 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Hi Chantalgr, Unfortunately I was snowed under with work, so only saw this now that all is closed for the week. I was informed by Mirgrate2oz that the British Council is the only option for us Capetonians, but that their service levels are notoriously bad ( not sure if we can have a worse experience with them vs Language Lab though )I did send off an email to our agent, and hopefully will get a response on Monday.As you so wisely said upfront - not in our hands. Perhaps we will all benefit from the delay as per a bigger plan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted September 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 A friend sent me this link:http://www.taylormadeimmigration.com/EnglishTestFrom November ( probably when we would get a British Council booking anyway ), new tests will be available. I will follow up with Migrate2Oz about them as options. perhaps a rabbit will get pulled out the hat after all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Thank you for the info, I appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted September 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Decided to just go ahead and book online with British Council for the 18 October test. At least then it's only one more month of waiting, so that I can at least get my skills assessment application handed in November ( hopefully ). The IELTS is the only outstanding item for that, so I don't want to delay it further.The online form did state that there was availability for that date - worth a try to get that date for all others affected by the 20th Sept cancellation via Language Lab here in Cape Town?I feel for anyone who had perhaps made travel/accommodation arrangements from outlying areas for next week's test 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 13, 2014 Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Strongly considering booking for the 18th too. Did you pay via credit card or eft? Can you remember what options they gave you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted September 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 Hi Chantal gr - I did the c/c payment. There was an EFT option too, and then you email them the proof when you get your booking confirmation email, and your proof of id if you didn't already load it in your online booking application.You need a form of id that has your signature , and only my new biometric passport has that ( unless newer SA Id's has that too? ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 13, 2014 Report Share Posted September 13, 2014 I have booked for the 18th for us too. I used our old passports as our ID's are still the old green books and not the new ID card which I think has your signature on. The older passports have your signature across the bottom of the picture, that is all I have so I guess they have to take it like that. Our passports are still valid till 2017 and we only plan on getting new one's closer to the time we leave SA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Hi EmNewI just wanted to ask if you have you received your refund yet from Language Lab?I spoke to Denise last week via email and she told me there are lots to process and it could take 3 working days.Now a week later my husband phoned the Jhb branch and spoke to Matthew who said they are doing it today.I feel like they are being very vague and not even checking or confirming our details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Hi - no, nothing to date. Actually just read the email from fellow 'victims' - replied with the email response I received.I am just glad that I decided to book the British Council test immediately - I read that JHB is now fully booked for the rest of the year! We can be thankful of something at least This application process is truly a lesson in patience and trust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Indeed it is a lesson in patience and trust. It is also a rough emotional roller coaster ride. One day at a time ....... each day has its own troubles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted September 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Hi - my refund is in my account - hopefully everyone else's is too 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 You just beat me to this post . Mine reflected in my account today too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 EmNew, It was lovely meeting you yesterday. It was nice to put a face to your name.Here's to good IELTS results and a blessed journey ahead for us 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) Hi Chantal ,You beat me to it It was most fortuitous to meet up in the queue. I hope that all went well for both you and your husband yesterday.Also hoping for the results that all of us that wrote ( was surprised at how many ! ) need for our varying requirements. Edited October 19, 2014 by EmNew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantalgr Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Hi Emma,Fortuitous indeed I too was surprised by the amount of people there were taking the test.During the registration process I heard from the queue that the one lady was from Johannesburg.I guess now we wait.... 2 days down, 11 more to go.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Starting to move a little beyond the beginning stages at last. November seems to be a month of action and results.- ICAA skills assessment handed in , and the 6-8 weeks' wait begins- After almost 90 days, the unabridged certificates finally arrive from Home AffairsFeeling positive about 2015's prospects for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole86 Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hi All, we are looking at an agency called Immagine Immigration. Their fees are quite a lot. What is the agency fees for Migrate2Oz like? We are also at the start of our process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmNew Posted November 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hi Nicole86,I would suggest that you contact Migrate2Oz for a free , no-obligation quotation. Each case and visa type is different so I don't think advising you what my costs are for instance will be a good indication of what your specific fees will be. The most important thing to do is to ensure whoever you decide to use is MARA registered ( which M2O is ), as it will be a fair amount of money to lose to any agency, should they turn out to be less than legit!All the best with your process. Nice to see another person from the Western Cape on the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Second EmNew - MARA Reg is an absolute must. Read the recommendations of people on the forum. Several have used M2O, there are also several fab agents who are members of the forum. A reliable agency will give you a fair assessment as to your chances, they are upfront as to all the charges and when these are due and you will be able to get independent recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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