Finally... Australia

After months of inquiries and preparation for supporting documents from Australia I finally managed to send our application to Australian Embassy last Sat. My sister insisted that I should do it myself and not ask for an agent. Primary reason is the cost... 5500 each applicant if we let the travel agency do the lodging for us. While it only costed her 2900 each for the application. So it's a lot cheaper but collating documents and asking it from my brother's family is such a pain in the ass. I have to remind them almost everyday for their supporting documents... have to get it from their place or somewhere near them thinking it's out of our way... provide the application document (which they did not use! grr..) and at the last minute my husband need to get it from their place because they filled up the outdate form they got ages ago. I'm ranting because it showed that they were not supportive in doing the application on our own. At least I got it all worked out.
Overall it's really easy to apply for a visa going to Australia.

Some tips for applying Tourist visa (Subclass 676):
--- Get all updated application forms from this site: http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/visitors.htm
Required application docs: Form 48R, Application Document Checklist (it should be the first docs in the application), Form 1229 (Consent Form if minor is travelling).

--- Have a valid passport

--- Complete supporting document: NSO certified birth certificates, certificate of employment (if employed), financial docs (bank statement/bank certificates).

--- Documents from visiting party in Australia: Letter of invitation, statement of general support, financial statements, first page copy of their passport, certificate of employment.

--- To know all other requirements, you can also check infosheet 20 from the Immigration office in Manila site http://www.philippines.embassy.gov.au/. And all supporting documents should have a copy so that they will return original copies.

--- When all docs are ready, need to have a manager's check issued to Australian Embassy for the payment (2900 each) of the application. For group application it can be have one issued manager's check. You can get this in any bank but preferrably in a bank that you have an account.

--- Make a phone call to their accredited Call Center. Each min cost 32 or 52 pesos so it is advisable to have all documents and manager's check ready before calling. The number can be found in the infosheet 20.

--- The agent will get the necessary passport details of each applicant. Then they will inform you that the courier service will get all the application from the place you'd specified. Courier service will cost 320 (picked up and deliver). The agent will also give the transaction number of the lodging. It should be written in the long brown envelop with the name of applicants. Finally have a signature in the sealed envelop. :)

In our case, I lodged our application last Friday then I had the courier service picked up the application forms the next day. Australian Embassy in Manila and courier service are available Monday to Fri (8 to 5 pm) and Sat (til noon). The agent will also inform you that the application process will take 5 to 7 working days (provided all necessary docs are provided).

After four working days, we finally received the result of the application. Gladly all six of us were granted tourist visa to Australia valid for 1 year with multiple entry!!! Lucky us! (my mom... my aunt... my baby gian... my sister in law and my brother). :)

I'm really happy and excited because it will be my aunt's first time to travel abroad. My sis will pay for their tickets except for me, my sister-in-law and my brother's ticket.

And this doesn't end my task in getting us to Australia. I still have to find cheap if not affordable tickets for us. Find dress for mom and aunt, find nice footwear for myself, buy all stuff that my sis would like me to bring with us. And the most frustrating thing I need to do is...... to lose weight!!!

REASON: It's my sister's wedding and she wanted me to standout in the wedding ceremony because my gown is different from the rest of the entourage.