OMG!!! After years of dealing with the Australian immigration, we have now been granted Permanent Resident (“Permie”) status!!! It has taken nearly 8 months since we applied for it and after 3 different visas prior to this and thousands of dollars later, we have the right and privilege to come and go freely from this beautiful country!! I really can sympathize with people who immigrate to any country now and can understand why there are so many illegal immigrants. It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure. Going through this process has been one of the most trying, frustrating, hair-ripping, financially-draining things we have had to do but it was worth it in the end. I just don’t know why they make you suffer so much before you get your prize…especially since Australia NEEDS more people. The thing I am grateful for the most is that I can now get access to great medical care for free, if I need it although most people (including us) have private health insurance as well to cover extras. Still, it is something that I hope that Americans will have access to some day. The U.S. being the only industrialized nation without the right to free medical care is sad to me.
Desperately Seeking Crab 
Congratulations! I’m sure you’re very relieved to have that behind you. Now you just have citizenship to look forward to;)
Suzer
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Congratulations Michelle!!!! =)
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Yay! Congrats! I’m still trying to figure out when, exactly, I’m eligible to apply for citizenship so we never have to go through anymore visa crap EVER!!
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Congrats Michelle! Thats great!!
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Yes Michelle, i agree. It’s a very hard process! We spent nearly 3 years doing the same thing. And because i was the native english speaker, the onus was on me to fill out all the numerous sometimes very hard to understand forms! Not yasu’s fault but it’s really hard.
A big CONGRATULATIONS! Now’s the time to take it easy, no more stress, no more forms!! 🙂
My brother is marrying a cambodian girl, and he’s just started going through the process, so i’m looking on and thanking my lucky stars that it’s not me. Been there and done it, and i wouldn’t do it again. Too much work! But worth it to have yasu here i guess. :))
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