gregster10217

We are due to arrive in Australia on 9th March, and my wife and children have 12 months visitor visas while their spouse visa is being processed. On the visa, it states that my son, 7, is only allowed to study for 3 months during that time.

How do we continue to educate our son after the three months if the spouse visa for my wife and children hasn't been processed? Is there a way of extending the length of time? Will the school just kick him out at the end of the 3 months?

It's obviously a concern to us as we don't want him settled in one school, which he then has to leave, and we then cannot get him back into the same school with friendly faces.

Thanks, as always.

old.sparkles

I'm not sure you can - could you not get citizenship for him rather than the visa Gregster?

NickyC

I'd have thought it's an occupational hazard of doing things the way you have.

You could always stay in the UK until the permanent visas have been issued and then your son wouldn't be missing any school.

gregster10217

I really don't know what the situation is regarding citizenship is for the children. I looked into it when my son was born, and at that time was under the impression that I had to have lived in Australia for a total period of 2 years for him, and subsequently, my daughter to qualify for citizenship? Is this the case or has something changed allowing them to become citizens sooner?

And no, it's not feasible for my wife and children to stay in the UK.

old.sparkles

According to the website - if you are Australian by descent you need to have spent 2 years in Australia at any time - have a look - http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applyi...born_overseas/

Pollyana

You need to talk to the educational authority where you will be living. They may discretion to allow your child to attend school as you are waiting for permanent visas, but it will probably be something you'd have to pay for at temporary resident costs.

quoll

Leave the wife and kids in UK until their permanent visas arrive. Tourist visas aren't meant for people to live, work and go to school. You can go and get things set up for their arrival.

gregster10217

Thanks for the advice, but it's important for us to make this move as a family, and I couldn't get a later start with work. Could you leave your kids for 6+ months? Well I couldn't and we want to experience the move together.

Will speak with the school once we arrive.

Beoz

Why would the dicks issue your spouse and kids with a 12 month visa based on a pending visas without letting them attend school.

Bureaucrats not communicating again.

If I were you I'd say f888 it. Just keep them at the school.

How long are visa applications taking these days?

Pollyana

Because the visa they are on at present is a tourist visa. Once the PR visa is issued they can attend school no problem.

Bermudashorts

Well then try some forwarding planning and thinking. Apply for the proper visa, get it and only then plan your move, you know like most normal people.

Beoz

Yeah I know. Having been in a similar situation (a forced work move at short notice) I had the choice of leaving Mrs Beoz behind until the visa was ready or bringing her with. We opted for leaving her behind so she could continue to work but it was no fun and very stressful. All the furniture was on the boat and she had to live in an empty house, sleeping on an airbed for 2 months. We even thought about ditching the Aussie citizenship and applying for a 457 to speed up the process. In my not so humble opinion the whole spousal visa thing is a basket case.

old.sparkles

Some occupations are only really open to employer sponsorship which OP has, and doesn't need visa as Oz citizen. However, he does need spouse visa which has been applied for, but start date cannot be delayed, so they have tourist visas for spouse and children until PR issued so all can move together. DIBP don't have an issue with that - OP is only querying schooling.

quoll

Could I have left my OH for 6 months with the kids? If it were the sensible option then sure I could! Only 6 months, that's a blip in a long lifetime. Sometime you have to be pragmatic rather than emotional and running the risk of being refused schooling over the period set down would be one of those pragmatic decisions in my book. Just as well we're all different I guess.

gregster10217

Thanks old sparkles.