My options?

Hi,

I have an Australian girlfriend who's UK visa expires in February. We're keen to be together but she's very homesick and wants to return to Australia. I've said that I'm prepared to quit my job and move with her but we're a little unsure of the technicalities. I'm 26 so should be able to get a working hoiday visa, at the end of this how easy is it to remain in the country? I assume I would have to get a company to sponsor me to stay or we would have to marry. I assume for both of these I would have to return to the UK to apply? I guess where we're at is that I'm bored where I am, my girlfriend is homesick and we'd like a year or so to see how things work out if we're living in Australia. Would the working holiday visa be the best way to do this?

Secondly, I know this isn't exactly a visa question but if we go over initially neither of us will have a job so how easy is it to rent property without a job? My girlfriend is unsure but seems to think they only rent to employed people. I have savings of around $50000 Australian Dollars and my girlfriend has around $40000, if we can show we have these savings surely the real estate people would accept us?

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers.

magic_monkey81 wrote:Hi,

I have an Australian girlfriend who's UK visa expires in February. We're keen to be together but she's very homesick and wants to return to Australia. I've said that I'm prepared to quit my job and move with her but we're a little unsure of the technicalities. I'm 26 so should be able to get a working hoiday visa, at the end of this how easy is it to remain in the country? I assume I would have to get a company to sponsor me to stay or we would have to marry. I assume for both of these I would have to return to the UK to apply? I guess where we're at is that I'm bored where I am, my girlfriend is homesick and we'd like a year or so to see how things work out if we're living in Australia. Would the working holiday visa be the best way to do this?

Secondly, I know this isn't exactly a visa question but if we go over initially neither of us will have a job so how easy is it to rent property without a job? My girlfriend is unsure but seems to think they only rent to employed people. I have savings of around $50000 Australian Dollars and my girlfriend has around $40000, if we can show we have these savings surely the real estate people would accept us?

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers.

Only an idiot would refuse to rent to someone with such savings! Basically...just think of the situation as though you are in the UK. You'd probably be required to show proof of income, or failing that, proof that you can pay the rent fully and on time. Look for agents that'll accept your savings as proof, and that you're actively seeking a job.

BTW - with your savings, you're probably able to put down a large deposit for a property! Renting shouldn't be a major problem.