We had begun with the intention of mailing/hard copy hand in - but it sounds like it would be easier to do internet. I guess we can just scan it all and have it done by tomorrow

We are almost ready to submit the app online.

How does the bridging visa work? Do we get it soon after by mail/email ?

Thanks in advanced

The bridging visa will only kick in whilst your current visa expires and you are still onshore.

So on the online app it asks for "Celebrant ID number". We have spoken to the pastor who married us in Alabama, and it turns out there is no celebrant ID number that he knows of. Theres no mention on our wedding certificate, no information online etc.

This is literally the only thing holding us back from putting in our application, should we just put it in and explain this later / send in the information if, when we find it?

Australian celebrants all have a number. Put a note in somewhere to say he/she is not Australian, therefore has no number. You can just give all his other details.

Ah thank you so much. its been really bugging us - cause our Pastor eventually contacted us after days, and basically said he had no idea what it was. It's obviously an Australian thing - we were married in Alabama.

So it asks for ID number - should we just put some verbiage into that area like (no ID number, US wedding, *and maybe his cell phone?*)

Stop over thinking it. If he doesn't have a numberthen put n/a. If your case officer wants more information he will ask you.

I really appreciate that wake up call!

I know how easy it is to obsess over every question. We're waiting for a spouse visa for Canadaright now so I have the same questions and worries as you.

She's right, really. Just do the questions logically and if you get stuck thnk common sense.
Unless you are applying for a Prospective Marriage visa (and therefore are not yet married) - it really doesn't matter who the celebrant was and I bet 99% of applicants who were married in Australia have noidea what their celebrants number was- I certainly haven't a clue And the majrity of people entering on a Spouse Visa were married outside of the country.
Put n/a or leave it blank - its not going to matter

Goodluck!

Thats real comforting to know We are doing our online submission right now

We get an error when trying to get by a page. My wife initially listed "do you have any other current passports" she said yes, and put in her old family name passport. It has been hole punched, but the date is still valid. However we know it isn't current. So on review, I answered NO to this question. Then it didn't allow us to proceed to the next step on the app. Saying stuff like "you don't have current status / your aren't eligible / you may already be a Aus citizen etc."

Really confused, I guess the best thing to do is to just put in the other current passport (we know this is wrong and is meant for listing other citizenships.) but fact is we can't submit the application unless we do say "yes" to this section.

EDIT: Now I am beginning to worry it may have something to do with her Incoming passenger card. I think we selected B on it (Temporary visitor) instead of A (Migrating permanently) because I was worried it would be illegal to say "migrating permanently" when she was only on an ETA visa.

We just submitted the application - bridging visa has been granted and will take effect upon expiry of her ETA visa in 2 weeks!! Woot

There is no link to any incoming passenger card. They are used almost solely to collect stats. have been ticking 'leaving permanently' for the last ten years.....in hope....

Well done on getting through it