Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Feb 16th 2007, 7:21 am
#151
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Posts: 79
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
THought it would be a good idea to have a thread for all those of us who are either in the process of or thinking about or already got a spouse visa, be you a Pom or an Ozzy!! As there seems to have been a few of us on threads recently and we all seem to be heading for Brisbane!!
I'll start off - I'm Rachel, British, my husband is dual citizenship UK/Australia as he emigrated with his family when he was 4. He has been living back here in the UK (Harrogate in Yorkshire) for the last 12 years with me! We have been married for 10 years and have three kids, twin boys aged 2 and a 10 week old baby girl.
We've talked about going back to Aus for years and never ever been able to make a decision. Various things have kept us here such as his elderly grandparents who we basically looked after until their deaths in 1999 and 2003; and a small investment in a company that we both worked for. He has now left the company and I am on maternity leave.
We have now made the decision that its time to go for it, the ties we have here are my family who I love dearly but I know they will come out and stay for months at a time! My husbands family are mainly in Brisbane - his Mum lives in ST Lucia and one of his sisters in Windsor. His other sister lives in Perth and his Dad divides his time between Tasmania, Cyprus and the UK (Nice!). So its Brissie where we will be heading.
I have just sent off for citizenship for all my kids and once thats through will be heading to London to get their Aussie passports. Then in about JUne time (got a holiday in Majorca in May) I plan to kick off with the actual application (keep putting it off....quite daunting!) and we hope to be in Australia at the latest January 08, may have another Xmas here first. We will see.
Thats me, loads more I could say about me and my family adn my situation but will wait for some more of you to come along first!!
Rachel
I'll start off - I'm Rachel, British, my husband is dual citizenship UK/Australia as he emigrated with his family when he was 4. He has been living back here in the UK (Harrogate in Yorkshire) for the last 12 years with me! We have been married for 10 years and have three kids, twin boys aged 2 and a 10 week old baby girl.
We've talked about going back to Aus for years and never ever been able to make a decision. Various things have kept us here such as his elderly grandparents who we basically looked after until their deaths in 1999 and 2003; and a small investment in a company that we both worked for. He has now left the company and I am on maternity leave.
We have now made the decision that its time to go for it, the ties we have here are my family who I love dearly but I know they will come out and stay for months at a time! My husbands family are mainly in Brisbane - his Mum lives in ST Lucia and one of his sisters in Windsor. His other sister lives in Perth and his Dad divides his time between Tasmania, Cyprus and the UK (Nice!). So its Brissie where we will be heading.
I have just sent off for citizenship for all my kids and once thats through will be heading to London to get their Aussie passports. Then in about JUne time (got a holiday in Majorca in May) I plan to kick off with the actual application (keep putting it off....quite daunting!) and we hope to be in Australia at the latest January 08, may have another Xmas here first. We will see.
Thats me, loads more I could say about me and my family adn my situation but will wait for some more of you to come along first!!
Rachel
Well how's life back there in old Harrogate? Been and gone from there myself since the end of August. I am the Ozzy and hubby is the spouse. We went up to Edinburgh to get my sons passports cos we didn't fancy the stress of London! We are in Melbourne for the weather as i fancied it a bit cooler but i am thinking of moving up to Brissy in a couple of years for a more beachier lifestyle. Hopefully will be more the Sunshine Coast than Brisbane itself but we will have to see how house prices are. I used to live in South Brisbane (Springwood to be exact)20 odd years ago. Mind you Melbourne so far is proving to be hotter than i ever remember Brisbane being!!!
Btw if you see a girl pushing a pushchair and weeping in the Saints area or there abouts its my forlorn sister she doesnt quite know what to do since i left. Maybe meet up for a reminiscence if we ever get there!
Georgie
Feb 16th 2007, 8:27 am
#152
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
The turnaround for the visa is quoted as 7 - 12 weeks from date of application (if there are no problems and youve got your medicals and police check done already)
You don't send your passport at the time of applying, just a certified copy, you will have to send your passport when your visa is appproved, and is supposed to be a 3 day turnaround, according to my case worker.
Staff
You don't send your passport at the time of applying, just a certified copy, you will have to send your passport when your visa is appproved, and is supposed to be a 3 day turnaround, according to my case worker.
Staff
If you are a bog standard spouse visa with no health issues etc you may not get any confirmation, you should just get the passport back inside two weeks with the visa in.
It saves time and hassle. The only time it's not worth including the actual passport is if you don't have enough proof or if there are health issues or if you have a holiday booked at the same time as you apply (in which case I would hold off applying until you get back from holiday).
Good luck to all on the first steps of the ladder.
Oh and one other thing I tend to say a lot
is that when you are finding it hard to get proof of coupledom together, or when you are waiting on your Aussie 888's from people who don't see the hurry etc, hold on to one thought - the spouse visa is a piece of cake to get and you could be having to jump through hoops to get TRA's, other skilled proof and then still having to apply for a visa. Relax guys and enjoy the ride. The visa is the easiest part of the whole journey
Feb 16th 2007, 9:00 am
#153
Back in OZ!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 905
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Hi All,
Just saw this thread now, so thought I'd say "hi"
I am the British/Aussie dual nationality part of the Spouse visa and my other half is British (by way of India)
We met online in a chat room in 1997 and met in 1998 for real when I flew back to England for 6 weeks and he then later flew to Australia for 10 months. We then moved back to England together in 99 and lived in West London until last Nov when we moved back to Perth!
At the time the application seemed very stressful but in hind sight it was pretty easy, just time consuming whilst collating information. Luckily I am like a magpie and for some reason had visa statements going back to 2000 so we had plenty of documentation to prove our defacto relationship.
The OH has a perm resident visa and has now found work here, contracting for the Dept of Housing whilst I work for a Finance group who specialise in Super and Pensions. We both work in Central Perth.
Anyway just wanted to say Hi....will check back later (when the OH has stopped shouting at me to come watch the DVD he has ready)
Just saw this thread now, so thought I'd say "hi"
I am the British/Aussie dual nationality part of the Spouse visa and my other half is British (by way of India)
We met online in a chat room in 1997 and met in 1998 for real when I flew back to England for 6 weeks and he then later flew to Australia for 10 months. We then moved back to England together in 99 and lived in West London until last Nov when we moved back to Perth!
At the time the application seemed very stressful but in hind sight it was pretty easy, just time consuming whilst collating information. Luckily I am like a magpie and for some reason had visa statements going back to 2000 so we had plenty of documentation to prove our defacto relationship.
The OH has a perm resident visa and has now found work here, contracting for the Dept of Housing whilst I work for a Finance group who specialise in Super and Pensions. We both work in Central Perth.
Anyway just wanted to say Hi....will check back later (when the OH has stopped shouting at me to come watch the DVD he has ready)
Feb 16th 2007, 9:13 am
#154
Brisbane's friendly cop
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,766
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Sorry, have to disagree with this. Spouse visas are supposed to front load everything and yes you have to include the certified copy of your passport, please also enclose your passport. Send it all by Royal Mail Special Delivery and remember to also enclose a self addressed pre paid Special Delivery envelope.
If you are a bog standard spouse visa with no health issues etc you may not get any confirmation, you should just get the passport back inside two weeks with the visa in.
It saves time and hassle. The only time it's not worth including the actual passport is if you don't have enough proof or if there are health issues or if you have a holiday booked at the same time as you apply (in which case I would hold off applying until you get back from holiday).
Good luck to all on the first steps of the ladder.
Oh and one other thing I tend to say a lot is that when you are finding it hard to get proof of coupledom together, or when you are waiting on your Aussie 888's from people who don't see the hurry etc, hold on to one thought - the spouse visa is a piece of cake to get and you could be having to jump through hoops to get TRA's, other skilled proof and then still having to apply for a visa. Relax guys and enjoy the ride. The visa is the easiest part of the whole journey
If you are a bog standard spouse visa with no health issues etc you may not get any confirmation, you should just get the passport back inside two weeks with the visa in.
It saves time and hassle. The only time it's not worth including the actual passport is if you don't have enough proof or if there are health issues or if you have a holiday booked at the same time as you apply (in which case I would hold off applying until you get back from holiday).
Good luck to all on the first steps of the ladder.
Oh and one other thing I tend to say a lot
is that when you are finding it hard to get proof of coupledom together, or when you are waiting on your Aussie 888's from people who don't see the hurry etc, hold on to one thought - the spouse visa is a piece of cake to get and you could be having to jump through hoops to get TRA's, other skilled proof and then still having to apply for a visa. Relax guys and enjoy the ride. The visa is the easiest part of the whole journey
Feb 16th 2007, 9:22 am
#155
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 79
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here as we're not planning on going to Oz until next summer (!) but I'm wondering about the passport issue. Assuming I do get granted a spouse visa, but we get married just before we want to move over, is there going to be a problem in my visa being granted in my maiden name? Or is it a fairly simple and quick process to get married, get a new passport in my new name and get the visa transferred into the new passport before we leave?! Anyone got any idea?
The change of name isnt a problem as long as you can show your M Cert.
Hope this helps
Feb 16th 2007, 9:24 am
#156
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Forgot to say you dont need a new passport. Double check though things may have changed but we only got here 6 months ago!
Feb 16th 2007, 9:33 am
#157
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Going to Queensland
RachelH latest January 08, heading for northern suburbs Brisbane.
Shiels (Claire), May 07?? heading for Tallebudgera Valley, Gold Coast.
Kristyhans, not sure when?, heading for northern suburbs, Brisbane.
Munchmel, August 07, heading for Sunshine Coast.
Scubaemma, Summer 08, heading for Brisbane (Bulimba area)
Sasswa, by end 2007, heading for Wynnum/Manly.
Thepomandozzy (Tracey), May/June 07?, heading for northern Brisbane
Staff, not sure when?, heading for either Brisbane or Mackay
Going to Perth
Phoenix UK - going asap!
Twhurl - by end May (NB - a bloke!)
Going to Melbourne
TEarose - asap!
Charb - by end May 07
Going to Canberra
3littlefigs, heading off in May time?
Going to Sydney
Wilso16 (Sophie), heading off in September 07.
Already there.......
Mattand jenny in Brisbane (Zillmere)
ClareW in Brisbane (Sandgate)
Ipom in the Blue Mountains
Moneypen on the Gold Coast
Teliko 21 in Melbourne
Gigi100 in Melbourne
Dried Graze in Bendigo
Wilgar in Sydney
ElshaUK in Perth
RachelH latest January 08, heading for northern suburbs Brisbane.
Shiels (Claire), May 07?? heading for Tallebudgera Valley, Gold Coast.
Kristyhans, not sure when?, heading for northern suburbs, Brisbane.
Munchmel, August 07, heading for Sunshine Coast.
Scubaemma, Summer 08, heading for Brisbane (Bulimba area)
Sasswa, by end 2007, heading for Wynnum/Manly.
Thepomandozzy (Tracey), May/June 07?, heading for northern Brisbane
Staff, not sure when?, heading for either Brisbane or Mackay
Going to Perth
Phoenix UK - going asap!
Twhurl - by end May (NB - a bloke!)
Going to Melbourne
TEarose - asap!
Charb - by end May 07
Going to Canberra
3littlefigs, heading off in May time?
Going to Sydney
Wilso16 (Sophie), heading off in September 07.
Already there.......
Mattand jenny in Brisbane (Zillmere)
ClareW in Brisbane (Sandgate)
Ipom in the Blue Mountains
Moneypen on the Gold Coast
Teliko 21 in Melbourne
Gigi100 in Melbourne
Dried Graze in Bendigo
Wilgar in Sydney
ElshaUK in Perth
Feb 16th 2007, 9:37 am
#158
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 236
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Sorry, have to disagree with this. Spouse visas are supposed to front load everything and yes you have to include the certified copy of your passport, please also enclose your passport. Send it all by Royal Mail Special Delivery and remember to also enclose a self addressed pre paid Special Delivery envelope.
If you are a bog standard spouse visa with no health issues etc you may not get any confirmation, you should just get the passport back inside two weeks with the visa in.
It saves time and hassle. The only time it's not worth including the actual passport is if you don't have enough proof or if there are health issues or if you have a holiday booked at the same time as you apply (in which case I would hold off applying until you get back from holiday).
Good luck to all on the first steps of the ladder.
Oh and one other thing I tend to say a lot is that when you are finding it hard to get proof of coupledom together, or when you are waiting on your Aussie 888's from people who don't see the hurry etc, hold on to one thought - the spouse visa is a piece of cake to get and you could be having to jump through hoops to get TRA's, other skilled proof and then still having to apply for a visa. Relax guys and enjoy the ride. The visa is the easiest part of the whole journey
If you are a bog standard spouse visa with no health issues etc you may not get any confirmation, you should just get the passport back inside two weeks with the visa in.
It saves time and hassle. The only time it's not worth including the actual passport is if you don't have enough proof or if there are health issues or if you have a holiday booked at the same time as you apply (in which case I would hold off applying until you get back from holiday).
Good luck to all on the first steps of the ladder.
Oh and one other thing I tend to say a lot
is that when you are finding it hard to get proof of coupledom together, or when you are waiting on your Aussie 888's from people who don't see the hurry etc, hold on to one thought - the spouse visa is a piece of cake to get and you could be having to jump through hoops to get TRA's, other skilled proof and then still having to apply for a visa. Relax guys and enjoy the ride. The visa is the easiest part of the whole journeyDear Client,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You are only required to provide a certified copy of the biodata page of your passport when you lodge your application.
If the visa is granted, the case officer will then request your actual passport in order to evidence the visa.
We hope this information has been of assistance.
Yours sincerely
London Contact Centre
Migration Branch
Australian High Commission
Strand London WC2B 4LA
Feb 16th 2007, 9:38 am
#159
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Now that I've updated the stats I will say hi to everyone!!
Welcome to TWHurl, Charb, Gigi100 and ElshaUK!!
TWHurl - you are in good company as we have another token bloke - Dried Graze in Bendigo!!
Phoenix - will take you up on that lunch offer!! And look what happened when you got sad about being lonely in PErth, along comes ElshaUK and TWHurl to keep you company!!
Gigi100 - do you miss good old Harrogate? Whereabouts did you live and how long for? I am confused......if you are the Aussie what is your sister doing in Harrogate....?
Anyway, my happy news for the day is that the kids Aussie citizenship by descent certificates arrived in the post today!! Hooray!! I didnt realise that there was an Aussie commission in Edinburgh but I might well go up there to get the passports instead.....good idea!!
Welcome to TWHurl, Charb, Gigi100 and ElshaUK!!
TWHurl - you are in good company as we have another token bloke - Dried Graze in Bendigo!!
Phoenix - will take you up on that lunch offer!! And look what happened when you got sad about being lonely in PErth, along comes ElshaUK and TWHurl to keep you company!!
Gigi100 - do you miss good old Harrogate? Whereabouts did you live and how long for? I am confused......if you are the Aussie what is your sister doing in Harrogate....?
Anyway, my happy news for the day is that the kids Aussie citizenship by descent certificates arrived in the post today!! Hooray!! I didnt realise that there was an Aussie commission in Edinburgh but I might well go up there to get the passports instead.....good idea!!
Feb 16th 2007, 9:51 am
#160
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Posts: 79
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Hi Rachel
Please dont be confused that would be too much as i am confused enough for everyone! I never can follow these threeads properly I can only concentrate on one thing at a time !!!! It is like being in a pub and loads of people are talking and you want to listen to everyone then you start getting lost. Am i the only person who thinks this?
I AM the Aussie but so is my sis!! My whole family are. This is because we have been to Oz 3 times the 2nd time round we got Citizenship. Hope thats cleared it up. Sis would come but not hubby. Younger sis is wanting to come in a few years. Mum and Dad will no doubt keep visiting for 3 months at a time but wont live here (at least i dont think they will).
FYI we lived on Woodlands Grove. Where do you live? Oh and yes i miss F&F shopping, taking the dog through Hookstone Woods and Brimham Rocks. I dont miss a lot of things though!!!
Georgie
Please dont be confused that would be too much as i am confused enough for everyone! I never can follow these threeads properly I can only concentrate on one thing at a time !!!! It is like being in a pub and loads of people are talking and you want to listen to everyone then you start getting lost. Am i the only person who thinks this?
I AM the Aussie but so is my sis!! My whole family are. This is because we have been to Oz 3 times the 2nd time round we got Citizenship. Hope thats cleared it up. Sis would come but not hubby. Younger sis is wanting to come in a few years. Mum and Dad will no doubt keep visiting for 3 months at a time but wont live here (at least i dont think they will).
FYI we lived on Woodlands Grove. Where do you live? Oh and yes i miss F&F shopping, taking the dog through Hookstone Woods and Brimham Rocks. I dont miss a lot of things though!!!
Georgie
Feb 16th 2007, 10:00 am
#161
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Hi Georgie - wow so you went to Aus a few times - I take it your parents live back in the UK now?
I live in Pannal on Crimple Meadows..reckon the shopping is the one thing I will miss about the UK...I am planning to stock up big style before I leave! But on the plus side, depending on your taste, both TopShop and Boden online will deliver to Australia! And apparently M and S are planning it too or so their website promises.....
Did you go to school here at all?
I live in Pannal on Crimple Meadows..reckon the shopping is the one thing I will miss about the UK...I am planning to stock up big style before I leave! But on the plus side, depending on your taste, both TopShop and Boden online will deliver to Australia! And apparently M and S are planning it too or so their website promises.....
Did you go to school here at all?
Feb 16th 2007, 10:14 am
#162
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Wow, nice to see someone make it. Well done you. Let the fun begin. Tell us more. It will be nice to here of what we have to come. I assume cockahoop is a good thing and he hasn't been taken away in a straight jacket. Unlike I will be soon if I don't hear about my visa
Feb 16th 2007, 10:27 am
#163
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Sorry I am going to have to disagree with Moneypenny (sorry love) but I emailed the London Contact Centre about my passport and whether I would have to include it with my application and the reply was as follows:
Dear Client,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You are only required to provide a certified copy of the biodata page of your passport when you lodge your application.
If the visa is granted, the case officer will then request your actual passport in order to evidence the visa.
We hope this information has been of assistance.
Yours sincerely
London Contact Centre
Migration Branch
Australian High Commission
Strand London WC2B 4LA
Dear Client,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You are only required to provide a certified copy of the biodata page of your passport when you lodge your application.
If the visa is granted, the case officer will then request your actual passport in order to evidence the visa.
We hope this information has been of assistance.
Yours sincerely
London Contact Centre
Migration Branch
Australian High Commission
Strand London WC2B 4LA
I was actually advised to enclose it, when I was at AHC dealing with the passports of my daughters. I happened to ask if it would help including the actual passport and was told, given the straightforward nature of my application that it would be helpful if I did.
Many others have done before me and many since with no problem. I did also point out that it may not be the best idea in some cases.
Feb 16th 2007, 10:41 am
#164
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Posts: 79
Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
Hi Georgie - wow so you went to Aus a few times - I take it your parents live back in the UK now?
I live in Pannal on Crimple Meadows..reckon the shopping is the one thing I will miss about the UK...I am planning to stock up big style before I leave! But on the plus side, depending on your taste, both TopShop and Boden online will deliver to Australia! And apparently M and S are planning it too or so their website promises.....
Did you go to school here at all?
I live in Pannal on Crimple Meadows..reckon the shopping is the one thing I will miss about the UK...I am planning to stock up big style before I leave! But on the plus side, depending on your taste, both TopShop and Boden online will deliver to Australia! And apparently M and S are planning it too or so their website promises.....
Did you go to school here at all?
Still like Brisbane though and was torn, still am and may move up there eventually.
Went to Western Primary on Cold Bath Rd and then to Rossett for the first 2 years. Then Springwood High in Brisbane.
Good to hear M&S will ship out here. Love their stuff! However by the time we have paid for shipping and the Aus Dollor to Uk Pounds it might be expensive. Never mind there's always Target! Ummm...
I know Crimple Meadows its near Dunlopillo where poor old hubby worked for 17 years!! He has got a much nicer job here with good hours although the pay is not quite so good. What do you and your OH do as a living and do you think you will find work easily?
Bet you cant wait for your move
Georgie
Feb 16th 2007, 10:46 am
#165
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Re: Spouse Visa Circle - join here!
I know Crimple Meadows its near Dunlopillo where poor old hubby worked for 17 years!! He has got a much nicer job here with good hours although the pay is not quite so good. What do you and your OH do as a living and do you think you will find work easily?
Bet you cant wait for your move
Georgie
Bet you cant wait for your move
Georgie
I ran a customer service department before having the kid but at the mo I have twin boys aged 2 years 3 months, and a baby girl aged 11 weeks so at present I'm being a Mum!! I am sure I would be able to pick up something in Customer Service again but who knows? OH is a Management Consultant so who knows..?
Whereabouts in Melbourne are you - I have a second cousin who I'm really close to just near Geelong which I know is further out but she works in teh city, although she is about to have her first baby so may now be off.