medwaymark

Excellent news... well done

Fenton

well done mate...Computer going into storage tomorrow, so good luck everyone for the future see you all about

chillibird

Hello!!

I'm new here, just started the business of applying for a spouse visa. My husband is 1st generation Aussie (so also has British passport) and I am from the UK. We met in Sydney 3.5 years ago when i was working out there. We live in Singapore at the moment but are planning to move back to Sydney in Jan next year.

Only hold up is that my OH previously made a De Facto visa application for old girlfriend (another English bird, would not believe it, huh?!) so we cannot submit anything until Oct when the 5 year wait is up. Very frustrating.

How long did it take you lot from lodging application to issue of visa??

Joolz

Doesn't take long if you front load your medicals and xrays; get your police checks done early 'cos they take forever to come through! Also get a joint bank account if you don't have one - wish I had done that earlier!

struth

hi there,

our application took around 3 weeks to approve and that was with 2 lots of requests for additional info, its not unheard of to be granted visas within a week for the defacto.

i would second the advise to get the police checks and medicals done and start collecting your info to prove you are a genuine couple.

good luck

JoolsB

We've been married ten years but no joint bank account though joint mortgages, insurances, utilities all that time-surely that's okay? I hope..

Joolz

We had a hard job proving the financial part as at the time we were living with my parents and they provided the water, gas electric etc so we had nothing with both our names on for bills.

We had separate phones bills, separate banks accounts, it was a nightmare, but we managed to show a link via our individual bank statements and had my parents write a stat dec declaring what our living arrangements were.

Katehn

Hi,
I have Aussie citizenship for the kids but still need to get them a passport. and renew mine! Do the kids have to go with you to Australia House do you know? Thanks Kate

medwaymark

Don't know about the kids. I renewed mine in January and did it through the post. I think if it has been less than 12 months since expiry, you can do it online.

RachelH

NO - you dont need to take the kids with you.

medwaymark

Would she be able to apply by post do you think?

penky

Hi Joolz Congratulations!!

does this mean that when you apply for your spouse visa, they might give you permanent visa in the first instance even though you only apply for a temporary visa??
prob a dumb question but i thought id ask.

penky

Hi everyone!!
I could ask my migration agent tommorrow, but why wait!!

So far,

Have filled out both mine and hubbys application/sponsor forms
Had my medical and chest xray
Got my police check back
Gathered all my evidence - bills, joint accounts, wedding invites, photos etc
Got my stat decs from friends and family

Only thing I think we have left to do is for me and hubby to sign our stat dec in front of a solicitor which we re doin on monday,

Am i ready to send it all or have i forgotten anything???

Joolz

Thx Penky! Yes I get a permanent visa because I've (finally!) proved we've been in a de facto relationship for 5 years.

For the temporary visa I think you only have to prove 12 months

Apparantly if I had a dependant child with my OH I would have only had to prove 2 year.

To be honest I'm still not too sure what the difference between the temporary visa and the permanent one is... other than the obvious one that if you don't apply for the permanent after so long you have to leave!

I think if you get a temp visa you have to wait 2 years and if you are still together you can the get the permanent one, then after 2 years having PR you can apply for citizenship. So I guess I've saved 2 years myself wait before I can apply for citizenship. Unless they change the rules before February and make me wait 4 years, but that'd never happen!


Oh and regarding what else you need to do for your application... don't forget to write them a big cheque

penky

oh yes the big cheque!!

would i be right in thinking its about £500 ???
I feel like im oozing money right now left right and centre, och sure what s another few hundred quid!! gulps