Advice Needed...
 

Hello,

We're looking to apply for a defacto spouse visa for Auz.
I'm an 'eligible NZ citizen' and my partner is from Wales. We met in Sydney while he was there on a 1 year working holiday visa, and have been together for nearly 3 years now.
We lived together for about 10 months in Sydney, but unfortunatly have only one joint electricity bill from that period. (My partner was already living in the flat when I moved in, and we never thought about collecting documents in joint names). I never put my name on the lease or the phone account.
Towards the end of 2000 we left our flat to travel around Australia together for a few months, then headed off to Asia for 6 months, on our way to the UK. From this 9 month period we have proof of a lot of 'joint travel'.
We are now living in Wales with his father and therefore again have limited bills in both names. Although we have set up a joint bank account and car insurance in both names.

Has anyone else successfully applied and gained a defacto spouse visa with limited joint bills etc. We can get plenty of statutory declarations etc, but just not a lot of cohabitation proof.

Please advice...

Thanks,
Kath and Ralph

Re: Advice Needed...
 

    >On Thu, 19 Sep 2002 20:16:00 +0000, Kath&Ralph wrote:
    >Hello,
    >We're looking to apply for a defacto spouse visa for Auz.
    >I'm an 'eligible NZ citizen' and my partner is from Wales.

When you say you're an 'eligible NZ citizen' on what basis you you
know you are 'eligible'?

I only ask the question because it makes a huge difference to your
sponsorship rights (and spouse's rights in Australia), and it's
important to be sure in advance.

Jeremy

Re: Advice Needed...
 

I cant talk from first hand experience but I've read that any documentation helps a great deal - airline tickets/boarding pass stubs showing you sat with each other for example may help....
Use anything you can find (photos etc)

Re: Advice Needed...
 

Hi Jeremy,

I understand that in oder for an NZer to sponser someone to come into Australia (ie an 'eligible NZ citizen') they have to have been in Australia on the 26th of Feb 2001. Unfortunatly I left Aus on the 3rd of Feb 2001. However I have read that one of the exceptions to the rule is if you lived in Australia for a 12 month period during the 2 year period immediatly before Feb 26 2001. I lived in Australia for about 16 months between Aug 1999 and the 3rd Feb 2001. During this period I qualified for a medicare card which I still have.
So I am assuming this makes me 'eligible'? Does it?? (I really hope so...)

Are you able to advice me on the rights which may change?

Thanks,
Kath&Ralph

Re: Advice Needed...
 

If you spent more than 12 months (which I presume to be taken as 365
days physically present) in Australia between 26 Feb 1999 and 26 Feb
2001 then you should not be affected by these changes:
h-
ttp://www.nz-oz.gov.au/internet/nz-oz/nz-oz.nsf/content/affect-affect5.htm

You will probably have to prove this (by showing your passport stamps)
when sponsoring your spouse. Alternatively, you can I think apply for
a certificate showing your 'eligible' NZ citizen status.

Nevertheless, you should consider seriously taking out Australian
citizenship when you return to Australia and meet the residence
requrirements.

Jeremy

    >On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 17:13:56 +0000, Kath&Ralph wrote:
    >Hi Jeremy,
    >I understand that in oder for an NZer to sponser someone to come
    >into Australia (ie an 'eligible NZ citizen') they have to have
    >been in Australia on the 26th of Feb 2001. Unfortunatly I left Aus
    >on the 3rd of Feb 2001. However I have read that one of the
    >exceptions to the rule is if you lived in Australia for a 12 month
    >period during the 2 year period immediatly before Feb 26 2001. I
    >lived in Australia for about 16 months between Aug 1999 and the
    >3rd Feb 2001. During this period I qualified for a medicare card
    >which I still have.
    >So I am assuming this makes me 'eligible'? Does it?? (I really
    >hope so...)
    >Are you able to advice me on the rights which may change?
    >Thanks,
    >Kath&Ralph
    >--
    >Posted via http://britishexpats.com