Oor Wullie

Thats brilliant, Matt. Keep the faith. Sounds like you're not far away.

The guys on here are spot on with the advice so far. JAJ in particular, who seems to know an awful lot going on previous defacto threads.

I applied in Dec 07 and have been scoping out what to get ready. I assumed they will want another Federal police check. Is there another medical? I HATE needles and passed out at the last one!!

big_matt

Thanks everyone,

Oor Wullie - you don't need to need as much the 2nd time around. No medical. You each need to fill in stat dec, another police check and then just any evidence you want to provide.

Pollyana

You will almost certainly only need anothge medical if there were any issues on the last one on which DIAC might want an update. Like you I dreaded having to do another on, but they said as the first one was fine another wasn't needed.

Melbourne lad

Got my 2nd stage letter and looking for some advice.

The 2 persons who are backing up the continuing relationship.
Do they have to fill out 888 forms the same as we had to get before? It doesn't say on the form. Just asks for their name, number and occupation.

It doesn't ask for bills/ mail from the last 2 years. Is a case officer likely to ask for these? Am I just as well to include some or would it just annoy them?

I don't want to have to go back and forwards to a case officer as work is busy at the moment for both of us.

Cheers!

Oor Wullie

Going by a few previous threads people just send what is asked.

I will be curious to hear how long the wait is in Melbourne one you have the forms in.

lonndongeek

If it only asks for their contact details, that's all you give. If DIAC want to take up a reference or get a statement, they'll contact the people directly.

In my case, we provided two referees, but they weren't contacted.

Cheers

Steve

big_matt

Just to wrap up the thread I started - I received my perm res visa today! Only took about 3 weeks after handing in the info but because they hadn't sent me the follow up letter and i got it 6 months late they processed the application extra quick - not sure what the standard turnaround time is at the moment for Melb.

In answer to the above questions - we only filled in the form and handed in 2 stat decs and the police check. We didnt send in any other supporting documentation. We were advised to do this though by the case officer - if I was going to fill it in under normal circumstances I'd provide everything they ask for. Why wouldn't you if you have the info?

JAJ

Congratulations. You did the right thing to follow it up.

After 1 more year, you may be eligible for citizenship, if you meet the 3 years in 4 residence requirement.

big_matt

What is this requirement? If I have been in Oz for 3 years of the 4 since I got the temp perm res I can apply for citizen? And how long would that take?

We were planning on a year back in the UK next year before returning here but would maybe stay instead if it made citizen easier.

JAJ

Residence requirement for citizenship:
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applyi...l_app_process/

also see:
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applyi..._apply/spouse/

Usually it's better to get citizenship first, before you leave, however there is a little more flexibility for spouses of Australian citizens. You can't guarantee a successful application from offshore, however.

big_matt

Thanks.

So looks like in 1 year I can apply for citizenship if I stay till then and don't go outside of Oz for 90 days.

This is where getting the 2nd stage letter 6 months late trips me up as I have been here for 5 years so if my perm res had been approved 3 months ago I would only have 9 more months etc etc.

big_matt

JAJ,

On teh second link there, it states that time spent overseas can be counted as time in Australia if your partner is Australian as long as you can show 'close ties' with Australia.

It doesn't really go into specifics.

Do you know how you are asked to demonstrate that, or is there anyone on here that has successfully gone tyhrough the process?

cheers

JAJ

I wouldn't rely on it in advance.

Any kind of tie to Australia will do, but it's not clearly established and it's quite different from the situation if you are living in Australia.

SillyOldBag

I was under the mistaken impression that when PR was granted on the second stage of the spouse visa that it would be backdated effective to the date the 2 years were up! That was the thing that was making me not overly concerned if they were taking up to 6 -8 months to process! Oh well, shouldn't really make a big difference to me, so as well to know now!