bellong:


If the tourist visa covers your family, you are free to bring them along for the holiday.

Mikey:


I meant I’m here on a temporary residence visa which covers just me but want my family back in Nig to come visit me here in Au

olumuyiwaoke:
@jokhas why the preference for Sydney ? just asking ooo....

tyosho:


I would strongly suggest that you bring as much food items as you can from Nigeria.Especially items like dried fish,egusi,ogbono,seasonings ,spices etc.Just make sure they are properly labeled(in transparent zip lock bags preferably)and without any pests.Dont worry about Garri,poundo yam,semo etc.They are available here though slightly expensive but affordable.

Potatoes are cheap,plantains are available but very expensive(if you ask me).I fry lady finger bananas instead and it”s just fine.There”s frozen plantain too but I have never bought it.


Yams are seasonal.It comes around once a year and this is the season.I have paid for 80kg worth which I intend to freeze and hopefully use until next year.The last time I had yams was like Aug last year so I’m not making that mistake again and buying in bulk this time.

Someone told me where to get frozen yams too but I have never tried to.


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

obi24:


Tanks @Tyosho.Must we grind the food stuff like stockfish, crayfish, Egusi and Ogbono or should i just package it wella on a zip lock bag without grinding them. Also are packets of maggi allowed to come in?

tyosho:


Maggi is allowed to come in.Blend the egusi and co but there’s no need to blend the dry fish.Just make sure they are well dried and then frozen.
As a complete wellness check ,hit the fish gently on a hard surface so all insects can fall out.

bellong:


Yes, they can visit as long as your visa remains valid.

Jokhas:


Lastly, Baba I don buy one -way ticket to Sydney.

Thank you

tyosho:
Congratulations jokhas.

I stay in Melbourne and have no idea about accomodation in Sydney.

Hopefully someone can help

tyosho:
Congratulations jokhas.

I stay in Melbourne and have no idea about accomodation in Sydney.

Okies!

Thank you

Hopefully someone can help

bellong:
@Jokhas,

Congratulations on your grant.

I live in Adelaide, South Australia, it is about 16hours drive to Sydney.

Hopefully someone living in Sydney can be of help to you.

Michaelamo:


Congratulations Boss. Please what's the cost of the ticket and which airline did you use?

Jokhas:



Chairman,

I tried using IOM after following this blog but alas they were taking more than forever to get back, after which their flight date didn’t match my plan at all.....

I ended up using vayama.com its EgyptAir with 2stops one way ticket and it’s $1,009.80, hope this pans out fine.

Thank you

aussy4life:
Hi Guys,

Am trying to open a NAB account from Naija and i came across this questions(Are you a resident of any other country for tax purposes?) yes or No , when i click yes it took me to another page with this (ou've indicated that you're a resident of one or more countries other than Australia and the U.S.) Do you have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for this country? Should I to just click No and move on?

And for Commonwealth Bank no place to add our naija number or country.

Please someone should come to my rescue.

FBS:
Any one familiar with the entertainment (standup comedy type of thing) landscape in Sydney or Melbourne? I've got me a veteran of the game, looking to do his thing. Is there a market for it, especially within the Nigerian community? First show will be free. Any ideas or pointers?

Omooloriredade:


LOL. Nigerian community dey? I am not sure if there's a market for it. It would have been easy if there was a strong Nigerian (or African) community that meets or communicates regularly. Information circulation for such shows would have been much easier.

However, anyone can pull anything off. Your friend has started well by conducting a market assessment. He should probably locate where there is a concentration of his target market (prolly include other africans). Get boots on the ground to guage their appetite for such shows. Is he a resident? What's the cost implication of testing the market? He could have the first mover advantage if he is able to pull it off. But you must understand this is not London or Paris or New York that have matured markets for things like this. Even Davido or Whizkid won't just hop on a plane to Sydney.

Disclaimer: This is a personal opinion from someone who is new in Sydney and is not into entertainment.

tyosho:
.

I don't know about IT scenario but I'm in a what's app group with some Indians and they constantly post openings.Someone who's in the core of that field will have a better response

bellong:
Departure

I initially planned to book my ticket with IOM but I couldn't get the package I wanted, I had to book through a travel agent friend. I wanted to first travel to Turkey for one week before continuing the journey to Australia. I got the ticket I wanted at a cheaper price to what IOM would have offered me for the direct flight.

I left Lagos in May 2015 via Egypt airlines for Istanbul, Turkey. There was a 9 hour stop over in Cairo, the airline lodged us in their 4 star hotel till the next flight. I continued from Cairo to Istanbul. I spent one week in Turkey to pay a visit to old friends before leaving from Istanbul to Dubai with Emirates airline on the same ticket from Lagos.

On the day I was leaving from Istanbul, the airport was very very busy as we had to queue for taxi for about 35 minutes. The pilot showed us the long queue via the onboard screen. Due to this delay at Istanbul airport, we didn't arrive Dubai on time for my connecting flight. Therefore, Emirates airline had no choice but to lodge me in their hotel. The next flight was in about 28 hours. This gave me the opportunity to tour Dubai city and still had enough rest. It was only unfortunate that the Emirate's staff in Dubai didn't allow me to go free with my excess baggage I managed to get through from Istanbul

The next day arrived for my flight from Dubai to Adelaide......


Arrival

I declared everything I came with on the immigration card, I had no issues with customs but was picked out for immigration drilling and questioning. It was a friendly questioning anyway but thorough. I didn't understand why until after spending some days listening to news I understood why I was singled out.

The time I arrived coincided with the period when many Australians of Middle Eastern extractions were leaving Australia through Turkey to join ISIL. The immigration officer was concerned on why I had to first go to Turkey before coming to Australia when I have a PR. The thinking was maybe I am a recruiter for ISIL or went to Turkey to get package for local contact etc. After giving convincing answers to all the questions asked, I was allowed to go.

Lessons: You can get good travel/ticket deal aside IOM if you are not doing a direct flight. In addition, you can enjoy two four start hotel like I did in the same ticket

Look well, compare ticket prices around and don't forget other factors like baggage allowance, comfort, stop over and if you will be lodged. Let it be confirmed that there will be hotel accommodation for stop over more than 7 hours before committing to pay.

At the immigration entry point, when singled out for questioning, don't fidget. Answer all questions with confidence, be sure of what you are saying and be consistent. Don't give unsolicited answers, only answer the questions you are asked. Be friendly, firm and relaxed while answering. Remember that they are only doing their job in keeping the integrity of the border.

To be continued later..

tyosho:


Maggi is allowed to come in.Blend the egusi and co but there’s no need to blend the dry fish.Just make sure they are well dried and then frozen.
As a complete wellness check ,hit the fish gently on a hard surface so all insects can fall out.

babylappy:

Hi, am a French graduate with about 8 years of work experience. Age 33 .My wife studied computer science with 3 kids. My wife's age 25. Whats my fate in Australia? In terms of getting a good job and settling down to earn and make a living. How do I go about the entire process? And please how long does it take?

What are the things I should also do to start?
Thanking you in anticipation to your Swift response.

babylappy:

Hi, am a French graduate with about 8 years of work experience. Age 33 .My wife studied computer science with 3 kids. My wife's age 25. Whats my fate in Australia? In terms of getting a good job and settling down to earn and make a living. How do I go about the entire process? And please how long does it take?

What are the things I should also do to start?
Thanking you in anticipation to your Swift response.

dustydee:

Are you a lesbian? You could claim asylum since your profile says you are female and you have a wife

tyosho:
Congratulations jokhas.

I stay in Melbourne and have no idea about accomodation in Sydney.

Hopefully someone can help