Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

I am a Scottish lassie living with my Australian b/f in Scotland, UK.

We are currently in the process of gathering evidence, etc for our visa application (De-Facto Spouse Visa. Our Australian friends are working on drafts of their Stat Decs and we have both done first drafts of our own Stat Decs.

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to email me a copy of a completed Stat Dec just so we can tell if we are on the right track. I know this might be a bit personal and I will understand if no-one is willing - but if you don't ask, you don't get - lol !! :)

We have a good idea of what we are supposed to put in the declaration but not sure how much detail we should go into and how much we should write. If anyone can help we would really appreciate it.

Also we know that we require two Stat Decs from Australian Citizens but do we require Stat Decs from UK Citizens i.e friends/family or would signed statements be sufficient?

Also how much evidence should we include (I already have emails, phone bills, joint travel and holiday documents, joint bank account, letters and cards, joint electricity bills) and how should we present this i.e. should we put it into folders or just lump it all together?? :(

Sorry to ask so many questions in my first post but you all seem to be so helpful !! (grovel, grovel) ;)

We are hoping, if everything goes according to plan (fingers crossed), to be in Australia by November this year and we plan to live in Canberra.

Anyway, if any of you guys or gals can give us some advice we would be forever grateful !! :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Might be worth doing a search of previous posts as sometimes your questions have been answered.

Australia should be coming "alive" as we speak so you may got more answers then.

I did mine back in 1998 and can't remember what I did at lunchtime, so I would be no help!

Good luck
Merlot :)

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Hi,

My Hubby got his spouse visa in August last year and as far as our stat decs go, they varied greatly. Mine was 3 pages, my Hubby's....1/2 a page. :rolleyes: :D

I think if you include the basics like how, when, where you met, things you have done to make a life "together" and what you plan for your future, you should be ok. We just did them in letter form as did our friends and families with their letters. I dont have the letters on my computer anymore unfortunatly.

Hope this helps,

Hels

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Thanks guys. I am doing a search of the forums as we speak so hopefully I will uncover some more useful info. Thanks again for your replies. :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

I would do, but, I don't think it would help you much as its completely personal to my situation. In brief though, it kinda went like this;
- how we met
- how we kept in touch
- when we saw eachother again
- how the r'ship developed
- how the r'ship was emotionally/finanically/socially working (ie: Booklet One criteria)
- what are plans were to be together and how this would work
- how we saw our future developing together (we're building a house, planning on getting married etc)

We wrote our statements separately, seemed to work out quite well, as what one person might have forgotten the other would have remembered etc, so a good overall picture.


Think ours were about 3 or 4 sides each.

Aussie stat decs should be on form 888. UK stat dec's dont have quite the same legal requirement, while there is a legal form for them to go on, if you're applying offshore, you can generally get away without the legislative needs. My UK ones were probably 50/50 counter-signed by a JP or equivalent.

I'll PM you what I submitted - don't put anything into folders though, it should just go loose.


Ask lots of questions... otherwise you may never find out!! :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

As MLB said, the personal statements are generally just that - personal. Ours basically stated how we met, where we met, when we met, how the relationship developed, things we did together, things that prove committment.
When I submitted the application I included the following:

1.Completed form 47SP.
2.Completed form 40SP.
3.Certified copy of my United Kingdom passport and my Class 457 temporary visa
4.Certified copy of my United Kingdom Birth Certificate.
5.Certified copy of MrsDagBoy's Australian birth certificate.
6.Certified copy of MrsDagBoy's Australian passport.
7.Certified copy of our marriage certificate.
8.Sealed medical report from Health Services Australia.
9.Character checks – results of person record from New Scotland Yard (including copy of form submitted to xxxshire Constabulary) and Police Certificate Name Check from Australian Federal Police.
10.Statutory Declaration about our relationship from the SeniorDagBoys (my parents).
11.Statutory Declaration (form 888) about our relationship from MrsDagBoy's brother in law.
12.Statutory Declaration (form 888) about our relationship from MrsDagBoy's brother.
13.Statutory Declaration (form 888) about our relationship from one of our friends.
14.Passport photographs of DagBoy (4).
15.Passport photographs of MrsDagBoy (2).
16. Document outlining the history of our relationship from me (2½ pages).
17.Document outlining the history of our relationship from MrsDagBoy.

Additionally, the following documents in support of the fact that we are living together in a genuine relationship were provided:
1.Copy of home loan summary (a/c number) from Bank for month/year (initial set up of loan) in my name (bank issue duplicate identical statements)
2.Copy of home loan summary (a/c number) from Bank for month/year (initial set up of loan) in MrsDagBoy's name
3.Copy of home loan summary (a/c number) from Bank for one year later.
4.Copy of joint account statement (a/c number) dated from month/year (as far back as I could find).
5.Copy of joint account statement (a/c number) dated 2 years later.
6.Copies of our wills naming each other as executors and beneficiaries.
7.Copy of recent contract for the sale of our house.
8.Copy of letter from our buildings insurance (in joint names) concerning a claim.
9.Copy of a recent rates bill for our property (in joint names) from local council.
10.Copy of our boat rego renewal (in joint names).
11.Copy of our phone bill for January 2003 showing that MrsDagBoy regularly rings me on my mobile, that we have regular contact with both MrsDagBoy's family (Australia) and mine (UK).
12.Milk delivery bill – recent (in joint names).
13.Hotel bill for week holiday as a family in Yepoon.
14.Invitation to attend MrsDagBoy's uncle's 50th wedding anniversary in xxxxxxxx.
15. Thank you note for 60th birthday present from MrsDagBoy's brother.
16.Letter to us both from my sister.
17.Letter to MrsDagBoy from my brother's wife after they stayed with us for our wedding (month/year).
18.Card for our first wedding anniversary from MrsDagBoy's brother and sil.
19.Card for our first wedding anniversary from SeniorDagBoys.
20.New home card from MrsDagBoy's brother and sil when we moved into current house.
21.Assorted Christmas cards to us both
22.Card from SeniorDagBoys for our second wedding anniversary
23.Wedding invitation to us both.
24.Contents insurance policy in joint names.
25.Invitation to Brother in laws 60th birthday party.

Finally there were assorted cards etc. to prove that our relationship is genuine and continuing.
Some birthday cards, a card from some flowers I sent her, some wedding photos, letters we had sent each other before I came out here, her phone bill showing calls to my UK landline and mobile before I came out.

Hope that helps,

Cheers,

DagBoy

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

In our case I think it was mine that was ½ a page long :o :eek:

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

We're just going through the de facto spouse application now, and we've got stat decs from my boyfriend's parents (who are Aussies), and supporting ones (which isn't essential, but we thought may help) from my parents (Brits). We also got friends and families to write us letters - about one side each - saying things like how they knew us, when they knew we started seeing each other, how they see us socially etc. (E.g., spending the last couple of New Years/ Xmases together, birthday parties, etc.) They also all wrote that they viewed the relationship as genuine and lasting, and some of them wrote very nice things indeed!!! :)

We've included things like joint xmas cards, statements, mobile phone bills, CDS of photos from holidays, a CD of the travel journal I wrote when we went away for 3 months (with digital photos), and a copy of my will ( he doesn't have one yet - should I be worried.....?) Basically as much stuff as we could find that shows the seriousness of our relationship. (Decided not to include the letters we received from our old workplace - where we met - threatening us with 'further warnings' if we continued emailing each other during the working day :rolleyes: )

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

We are hoping, if everything goes according to plan (fingers crossed), to be in Australia by November this year and we plan to live in Canberra.

Hooray for another Canberra resident!!!!
Nice to hear from you scottish lassie, I am also from Glasgow (i'm a south sider) been living in Brum for eight years and moving to Canberra at some point this year, hold ups on employers side!!!
Are you going out for a job?
Theres quite a few people looking at moving to Canberra this year so there should be plenty of people around to ask questions and sound off to!!
Kristine :)

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Thanks again for your help. I do realise the Stat Decs are very personal to each individual so I wasn't really surprised that no-one wanted to let me see an example of theirs. I just thought it would help clarify things for us.

If one of you guys would be willing to look at my Stat Dec and give me an opinion perhaps that would be easier??? If there are any volunteers please PM me.

I am probably worrying about nothing but we want to get it right first time - you guys know how stressful the whole thing is !!!

I have been in touch with the doctor and radiologist today - they advised cost of medical and blood test is £125 and cost of x-ray is £68. I should be able to get an appointment booked for some time in February.

Once again thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. Suddenly, after months of thinking about this visa thing, it is suddenly very real and very very scary :scared: !!!!

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Hi Kristine,

Nice to hear from a fellow Glaswegian and future Canberra resident !!!

Neither of us have jobs in Canberra yet. Jim will have no problems getting a job - he has plenty of contacts and friends willing to give him work. I will be applying for jobs once I get over there - we want to take a month out when we get there so we can get organised on the house front and have a bit of a holiday first.

Glad to hear there are more people looking to move out to Canberra. We were getting a bit fed up with people slagging it off :mad: We visited Canberra in October 2004 and I absolutely loved the place. Jim lived there before he came to the UK and his friends are there.

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Sorry to go a little off topic for a sec, but (looking at your Avatar) are you bikers? (And if so, are you taking your bikes?) Both myself and boyfriend ride (er, so to speak), and we keep changing our minds about whether or not to take them - think it sounds like lots of hassle decontaminating etc - may be better to buy again in Oz...

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

At least you guys have been!
I'm one of those nutters who are emigrating to a place i have never been - but hey, I'm lucky - going on my own, and only have cat to worry about. Have a job to go to, which is a big bonus!
It does get slagged off badly - ScutterUk who posts on here, lives there and does a spot of moonlighting for the Canberra tourist board lol!!!
Where abouts in Glasgow are you from? My mum and dad live in Govanhill, I'm due up there soon for one of my twice yearly visits!!!
Kristine

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

That's soooo SPOOOOOKY :scared:

Its a small world Kristine. I was brought up in Govanhill......my brother still lives there !!!! I now live in Rutherglen.

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Freaky deaky indeed,
I lived in Boyd street for 20 years!!!

Used to work in the safeway in rutherglen!!! Am I freaking you out now???

You didnt go to Holyrood????

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Hi Sophie Louise

Yes we are both very much into bikes. My b/f sold his bike (ZX6R) to come over here to the UK - I don't have one :(

We will of course be getting a bike once we are settled over there...its a brilliant place for bikers. Great roads, weather and scenery. Unlike Scotland which has the scenery and roads but CRAP weather...lol.

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

I am sooooo freaking out now.

I lived in Bennan Square for 14 year...went to Queens Park Secondary and had a best friend who used to live in Boyd Street.

Small world indeed !!

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Tenement or houses end of Boyd Street - we live at the Aikenhead road end, I know most families in Boyd street as they are all related - small irish community!
Know Bennan Square very well - me mammy was a district nurse and used to take me to a couple of her patients who lived round there, (god totally against health and safety regs now!!) used to deliver papers round there aswell when i was about 12!!!

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

My friend lived in the tenements at the top end of Boyd Street. I seem to remember that my brother had a boy in his class who lived in the houses at the Aikenhead Road end...I think his name was Gary Walker.

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

I know Gary and his wife and his mammy and daddy. His mammy worked with my mum - they are all part of the Boyd Street posse!!
God how freaky!

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Excellent! My boyfriend's got a zx7 (and is dying to get a zx10 having test ridden it), and i've got a yamaha fzr400. Think we'll have to sell them to go over, but it'll be a good excuse for him to get his 10, and me to get the new 636!!!! (Sorry to non-bike people reading this....)

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Don't even mention the ZX10..... Jim has already been dropping "not so" subtle hints about it...lol

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Boyfriend just got excited that someone else wants one too.... They're very pretty... not very good pillion though!

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

:) I'm a 'pillion' over here too. Never even been on a bike (other than dirt) until I got here. I love going up through the moutains, stopping off at a cafe, and then all the way down the otherside!! :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

What a great way to start a Saturday morning, reading friendly banter between posters . .. long may it live!

M :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Going pillion is what got me taking my test! We went on a bike trip all around Europe this Summer for 3 months (desperately trying to see everything as though we were never returning from Oz :) ). I went on the back as I only passed at teh start of the year, and didn't feel up to the mountains (we went through the Alps and the Pyrennes) on the wrong side of the road!!!! It was a fantastic trip though, and the plan is to do one in Oz and one in the States, on separate bikes (so I can carry more shoes!!!!!!)

Never been dirt biking though - boyfriend's family all do that in Brisbane, so will have to give it a go... Mount Glorious is one of his favourite roads apparently....

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

LMAO - sounds about right, probably what I would be doing if I could too :D
Mt Glorious is probably only 10/15mins from where we live, we go via Clear Mtn, which is only about 5/10mins so a nice long trip! We were there last weekend and it was great :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Can't wait. Hopefully will be borrowing some bikes while we're over in March/ April time and I'll get to see it for myself!! Until then made do with some photos.... not quite the same.....! :)

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

We borrowed a friend's bike when we were up in Queensland last October. It was brilliant...I hadn't been on a bike for a couple of years and it was bloody marvellous getting back in the saddle again !!!

It was also great being able to get on a bike without having to put thermals and five layers of clothes and a set of waterproofs on...lol.

Can't wait to get back over there and enjoy the Aussie biker life !!

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Definitely!! Mine's under a cover at the moment and I take the car to work... Fairweather rider, I know, but the commute in to Southampton on a freezing rainy day is not why I bought a bike!! Looking forward to being in warmer climates, where it is actually nice to ride to work.... (Without salt ruining your bike too!) Last time we went out riding here we had to get plastic gloves from a petrol station to wear under our bike gloves, to try to keep our fingers warm. And I'm not even going to go into where we had to stuff the newspapers.... :eek:

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

PMSL

I know exactly wot you mean. We did a tour of Sotland on a bike a few years back and ended up with black hands cos it pissed down so much that the dye on our gloves ran....lol :eek:

Another reason I can't wait to get over there is to go to Phillip Island to watch the Moto GP in the flesh so to speak. :D

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

When we did our Europe trip we ended up in the middle of a storm in Bosnia. I'd already posted my boots home as they were too hot, so I was wearing trainers and they FILLED with water. Luckily my wet weather trousers were way too big, so (very stylishly) I was able to pull them almost up to the neckline of my jacket!!! Simon Cowell would have been impressed.....

So are you a Rossi fan then? ;) I had this argument with my boyfriend, who wanted Gibernau to win. Go Rossi.....

Sophie

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Lol.....love the idea of the Simon Cowell style waterproofs !!!

I am a major TROY BAYLISS fan !!!!! Have been a fan since he competed in the Britsh Superbikes a few years ago. Been following his progress ever since. He is Australian (comes from Taree) so at least I can say I am being patriotic when I move to Oz !!!

Jim is a huge Rossi fan and you should hear us when the racing is on the telly.....we have great fun slagging each other off !!!

We got engaged on the day the GP was at Phillip Island last October....we didn't get to go but we watched the race on the telly sitting in our beach house at Malua Bay!!! Romantic eh ??!!??

Re: Spouse Visa ... Just beginning the process
 

Awwww!!! That is romantic! Boyfriend is also a Bayliss fan, but ended up cheering on Gibernau, just because he thought he would be more likely to win... ;) (Mick Doohan is his number one racer though and apparently has lots of Doohan paraphernalia for us to put in our new house in Oz... mmmm....)

Sophie