Looks like I'm going back to Australia sooner than planned. Fiance has epilepsy and has had a couple of bad seizures today - can't stand being away from him not being able to help - so doing my best to get a flight home! Just will have to sort out everything that needs sorting out here from there, its not as if its the other side of the world or anything..... oh .. it is, isnt it!

My head is in a spin - not conducive to clear thinking, but I can't think of anything that I can't sort from there?

Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed for us that I can get home asap!

Just needed to wibble at people ... sorry.

hi, so sorry to hear about your fiance. I hope you get everything sorted!! if you need anyone to chat to, just PM me - big hug to you!! I have set up a PMV - spouse visa thread, join that and keep us updated, I set it up cos I thought we can all help each other through the process of receiving the PMV to getting al paperwork sorteD for spouse and settling in OZ. HUGS

Thank you I really appreciate that. Just having a cup of tea (typical pom in a crisis, put the kettle on!) then I'm off out to the bank to sort some financial stuff and then on to book flights. Will let you know how I get on!! ... and I'll join the other thread too

Thanks again - its amazing the difference a few kind words make !

Hi Everyone

Can anyone help us out with a little bit of advise?

Just about to send of the application for a de-facto spouse visa for my girlfriend and the only thing we have left to do is complete the written statements detailing our relationship.

Just a little confused as it states...

'You and your partner must each provide a statement regarding the history of your relationship. The statements written by you and your partner can be on writing paper or a statutory declaration form may be used.'

Surely if we both write out a statement they're going to be similar, if not identical? Can we both write out one statement then sign separate copies? Do we have to complete them without the other seeing and then compare notes? Or is completing the 888 form an easier way?

Any thoughts, opinions, prior experience would be greatly appreciated :@)

Rich & Michelle

You need to do an individual statement each. Yes they will be the same in terms of basic detail like dates etc.... but the statements should also be written from the heart and be expressing how you feel about each other. In some ways its quite difficult expressing your deepest thoughts to a complete stranger but its just one of those steps that need to be done! You are basically just setting out when you met, how the relationship developed when you moved in, how you see your future together etc.... It doesn't need to be all hearts and flowers but I do think it should show the love and commitment that you share. Good luck with it! Incidentally I saw my fiance's statement, he still hasnt seen mine! He might get ideas above his station if he sees it

Thanks for that. My OH is now going into meltdown saying that he has got out of every essay that he has ever been asked to do so guess what we are going to be doing on our weekend off together!

Another quick query, our written statements are the last thing that we have to do however I have just been having a look at other posts and it seems like everyone is sending their police checks and medicals at the same time as their application. We thought this is something that would be requested after the application has been received - I'm guessing that we should be one step ahead and sorting these out yesterday!

No worries chicken - you are not alone!! Now get those flights booked!!

my personal statement was 6 pages long, my fiances was 3 pages long lol difference between men and women, the statements more or less said the same thing, but I detailed it more and OH kep to basics, but yeh it was written from the heart and basically detailed how we met, how our relationship developed and long term future goals and how we suport each other financially, emotionally and physically (dont worry didnt go into too much details with the physical side, just said we suported each other physically) Hope this helps

if you stay one step ahead your visa wil come through quickly, if front load everything like I did and your meds and police checks are fine, you wil get your visa quickly, i got mine in 3 days!! Book your meds asap or youcan wait until they request but it wil taek longer for your visa to come through. Good luck

Back from a hectic trip into town where I spent a lot of time and achieved very little! BUT flights are booked - we fly out Sunday night arriving on Tuesday morning Its just so horrible being here when I need to be there to look after my fiance - thank heavens for a good friend who called in and was able to get him to hospital etc... and I've spoken to his mum who will be keeping a beady eye on him til I get there! He's just totally out of it at the moment, so I can't let him know that my flights are booked - be a nice surprise for him when he wakes up!

Then I had to dash back here again to say goodbye to my nephews/nieces who are going away for the weekend and had no idea til they got back from school that we would be going so soon!! So I'm happy to be going back to my fiance and soooooooo sad to be leaving my family - pffffffft I'm an awkward devil eh!!

Thats so true!! Mine was 8 pages and his 4. I tend to witter ... if you havent already noticed this, you will in time

Just remember it doesnt have to be a literary masterpiece (although mine was of course! ) Al wrote his just as if he was talking to the person that was reading it, very informal - as I did a lot of report writing in my job, mine swithered between overly formal and overly chatty - but at the end of the day, I think both statements showed that we love each other and have a future planned and thats all that matters - so try not to stress about it too much, just put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and get writing!! whatever you do I'm sure will be fine!

If you're wanting a quick decision and the whole process over and done with asap, then it is a good idea to get your medicals done - even if you dont get an appointment before you send the application off, at least the process is started. You just need to fill in on the medical form which visa you are applying for and tell the docs to send your medical to LONDON AHC. Your passport number gets recorded on all the pages of the medical, so if it gets to the AHC before your submit your application it just gets filed away onto their system and tied up with your application when it comes in!

Re the Police Report, it can take up to 40 days I think to come back, so its as well to do that straight away, although having said that I'd read the immigration section of this forum, as there is a new police check which is quicker but more expensive, but there seems to be some debate as to whether or not it is accepable to the immigration department. I'll leave you to make sense of that - I just did the old styleeee version!!

Finally, good luck with your application!! There are always plenty of people around here who have gone through or are going through what you are doing!!

Thanks Kate @ Silly Old Bag,
Has really put my mind at ease. Its amazing how just one comment can make you second guess yourself. Will be glad when visa is granted and tickets are booked. Thanks again, can get onto worrying about the shipping now!!!!!!!!!!!

I sent all my forms, police checks, statements and medicals at the same time - it took them 2 days to make a decision - they said if they get it all at same time its 'fast tracked'.

either that or the really wanted me lol

Thanks all for your help and advice guys, much appreciated

Hey guys,

About to send everything off for our visa. Got a stack of docs here we need certified, I know they say don't send originals but I can't find a solicitor to certify them all for less than £50.

Anyone had any experience with sending originals?

Are you sure you need to send so many certified docs? All we had certified were copy passports, copy birth certificates, copy divorce certs .... and that was about it. Everything else was an uncertified colour photocopy or scanned copy. Our visa did get approved!

Good luck with the visa application! Its a stressful time but such a wonderful feeling when you get the grant!!