emsie

hi

i''m going to be applying for a defacto spouse visa later this year, i'm english and my boyfriend is australian. on the form it asks how much money you plan to take to australia......is there a minimum amount you need to take?

Also as my boyfriend is my sponsor, does he need to have a certain amount of savings and do you have to show this in your application?

just want to know how much saving we need to be doing! :-)

Pollyana

No minimum amount, and you don't have to show proof. I think I said about $5000. All they need to see is that you can support yourselves till you are working. Why not include Resumes, so that they can see how employable you are - I had that, and also a reference from my then boss, saying I would have no trouble finding work.
Same for your boyfriend - if he has any savings, then put down what he has, include proof of his earnings now, and a Resume, same as for you. Also if he has family here, then a Stat Dec from them saying that they will help out would be a good plan - this isn't a binding commitment, just shows that they support the relationship, and give you any help you need.

emsie

my boyfriend is working over here at the moment , we hope to go back to oz together after i get the visa,will it affect the visa if he hasn't got a job over there at the time of the application. we don't really want to be separated but is is better if he goes over there and gets a job etc before we apply?

Pollyana

Shouldn't do, as long as he has a good chance of getting work once he arrives back here, and especially if you can get family/friends to do Stat Decs to say they will help out if necessary. Plenty of spouse/de facto visas are granted to a couple who are living together outside Australia, and most of them have to look for work when they get here. Obviousl if he comes back first and sorts out job/house etc it will make life easier for you, but I don't think its a problem.

emsie

thanks pollyanna - i don't feel as worried now!