12th December. Still no visa for the Brazilian guitarist.
They've had our completed application for nearly three months. What on earth can they be doing with it?
As time drags on, I begin to assume that no news is good news. Each day that I don't hear of a problem should take us nearer to success. But it would be nice to know what progress is being made.
I email the Immigration case manager once again, this time beseechingly. I need to promote the show, which is in two months. I must print posters, and most printers close for two weeks at Christmas. We will lose a lot of promotion time. Does he think we will get a visa soon?
Half an hour later, we have a visa. An email arrives, attaching notification of my successful Nomination Application. The visa grant has been sent to his migration agent in Brazil.
At my desk, I breathe a long sigh of relief. I had imagined shouting this news from the rooftops; immediately telling everyone I know. But who could be as excited about this as I am? Plus I can hardly believe it's true. Better tread carefully. I contact Eneias the guitarist to tell him the good news, and that he should contact his agent to get the formal notification.
We exchange a few messages, expressing our happiness and relief.
That night I receive an email from his migration agent, confirming the grant of the visa.
So it's really true. Now we can work on the show.
I began this Entertainment Visa process in March, after cancelling the show because a tourist visa would not permit him to come to Australia to perform. It has tested my skills, my patience and my resolve.
But at last my perseverence has paid off.
Nine months. It's been a bit like hatching a baby.
This is the best Christmas present I could wish for this year.
They've had our completed application for nearly three months. What on earth can they be doing with it?
As time drags on, I begin to assume that no news is good news. Each day that I don't hear of a problem should take us nearer to success. But it would be nice to know what progress is being made.
I email the Immigration case manager once again, this time beseechingly. I need to promote the show, which is in two months. I must print posters, and most printers close for two weeks at Christmas. We will lose a lot of promotion time. Does he think we will get a visa soon?
Half an hour later, we have a visa. An email arrives, attaching notification of my successful Nomination Application. The visa grant has been sent to his migration agent in Brazil.
At my desk, I breathe a long sigh of relief. I had imagined shouting this news from the rooftops; immediately telling everyone I know. But who could be as excited about this as I am? Plus I can hardly believe it's true. Better tread carefully. I contact Eneias the guitarist to tell him the good news, and that he should contact his agent to get the formal notification.
We exchange a few messages, expressing our happiness and relief.
That night I receive an email from his migration agent, confirming the grant of the visa.
So it's really true. Now we can work on the show.
I began this Entertainment Visa process in March, after cancelling the show because a tourist visa would not permit him to come to Australia to perform. It has tested my skills, my patience and my resolve.
But at last my perseverence has paid off.
Nine months. It's been a bit like hatching a baby.
This is the best Christmas present I could wish for this year.
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