Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2014
#451
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
I've split this thread up again - Spouse Visa Circle 2010-11 can be found here and this one now contains 2012 and will continue into this year
#452
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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#453
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Hey Pollyana
Have been reading the other posts, am feeling calmer lots of people out there and 5-6 months really isn't too bad! So we are going to go home and I will lodge there and just wait for grant. I want two months at home anyway so I can hang out until then. Also If It gets too unbearable I might try For the ETA but I am aware of all those complications too!
So Just to clarify I apply from Ireland or can I hand it in In London?, Il be visit friends there on our way back. Do I need to wait for contact from a CO for the medical or can I arrange to have that done as soon as get back?
Thanks for all advice
Have been reading the other posts, am feeling calmer lots of people out there and 5-6 months really isn't too bad! So we are going to go home and I will lodge there and just wait for grant. I want two months at home anyway so I can hang out until then. Also If It gets too unbearable I might try For the ETA but I am aware of all those complications too!
So Just to clarify I apply from Ireland or can I hand it in In London?, Il be visit friends there on our way back. Do I need to wait for contact from a CO for the medical or can I arrange to have that done as soon as get back?
Thanks for all advice
#454
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Hey Pollyana
Have been reading the other posts, am feeling calmer lots of people out there and 5-6 months really isn't too bad! So we are going to go home and I will lodge there and just wait for grant. I want two months at home anyway so I can hang out until then. Also If It gets too unbearable I might try For the ETA but I am aware of all those complications too!
So Just to clarify I apply from Ireland or can I hand it in In London?, Il be visit friends there on our way back. Do I need to wait for contact from a CO for the medical or can I arrange to have that done as soon as get back?
Thanks for all advice
Have been reading the other posts, am feeling calmer lots of people out there and 5-6 months really isn't too bad! So we are going to go home and I will lodge there and just wait for grant. I want two months at home anyway so I can hang out until then. Also If It gets too unbearable I might try For the ETA but I am aware of all those complications too!
So Just to clarify I apply from Ireland or can I hand it in In London?, Il be visit friends there on our way back. Do I need to wait for contact from a CO for the medical or can I arrange to have that done as soon as get back?
Thanks for all advice
I would go for the medical once you've submitted it, no need to wait for the CO to request it. They can forward it to London where it will be matched up with the application. The forms (26 and 160) can be downloaded from the Immi site here
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/heal...ealth-exam.htm
#455
Living the dream in WA
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 315
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Have had a read through here and found it extremely helpful and interesting. My wife and I have been together for nearly 15 years and have two children together and are, obviously, looking to migrate to Australia in the next 18 months or so, or as suitable work is offered.
I should add here that I am an Australian National, through my mum's side of the family.
I'm expecting my wife will need a Spouse Visa, and the children a child visa, but if I were to go sooner than expected, could they come out as well on a holiday visa and apply once there, or does it have to be done before they go? The hope is my wife won't have to work once there, should this not be the case then we'd obviously have to get the spouse visa more quickly to allow her to work too (?).
I should add here that I am an Australian National, through my mum's side of the family.
I'm expecting my wife will need a Spouse Visa, and the children a child visa, but if I were to go sooner than expected, could they come out as well on a holiday visa and apply once there, or does it have to be done before they go? The hope is my wife won't have to work once there, should this not be the case then we'd obviously have to get the spouse visa more quickly to allow her to work too (?).
#456
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Hi all. 2013 has started and I've decided to take the plunge and start organising my hubby to sponsor me for the spouse visa . I've made my way through 20 pages so far and the help here is awesome and very encouraging so thanks from a newbie.
I've just started digging out evidence (married 2.5 years, 1 yr old daughter, lived together 4+ years) and have a few wedding invites but more thank you's (polite friends!). Do you think these will be ok addressed to us (but not saved envelopes). how did people copy such cards, did you copy both the front and inside? Or just inside? Am going to keep on reading but even after a search I couldn't find an answer to this.
Also my UK passport is still in maiden name but everything else is in married name, including name on daughters birth certificate. Does anyone have any views whether I should get a new UK passport in new name or does it not matter? Still have a few years left on it!
Thanks in advance
I've just started digging out evidence (married 2.5 years, 1 yr old daughter, lived together 4+ years) and have a few wedding invites but more thank you's (polite friends!). Do you think these will be ok addressed to us (but not saved envelopes). how did people copy such cards, did you copy both the front and inside? Or just inside? Am going to keep on reading but even after a search I couldn't find an answer to this.
Also my UK passport is still in maiden name but everything else is in married name, including name on daughters birth certificate. Does anyone have any views whether I should get a new UK passport in new name or does it not matter? Still have a few years left on it!
Thanks in advance
#457
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 52
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Have had a read through here and found it extremely helpful and interesting. My wife and I have been together for nearly 15 years and have two children together and are, obviously, looking to migrate to Australia in the next 18 months or so, or as suitable work is offered.
I should add here that I am an Australian National, through my mum's side of the family.
I'm expecting my wife will need a Spouse Visa, and the children a child visa, but if I were to go sooner than expected, could they come out as well on a holiday visa and apply once there, or does it have to be done before they go? The hope is my wife won't have to work once there, should this not be the case then we'd obviously have to get the spouse visa more quickly to allow her to work too (?).
I should add here that I am an Australian National, through my mum's side of the family.
I'm expecting my wife will need a Spouse Visa, and the children a child visa, but if I were to go sooner than expected, could they come out as well on a holiday visa and apply once there, or does it have to be done before they go? The hope is my wife won't have to work once there, should this not be the case then we'd obviously have to get the spouse visa more quickly to allow her to work too (?).
In theory you should apply and get it granted before you go, as the tourist visa isn't supposed to be used for people going with the intention of applying onshore. There are people who apply in London and then travel on a tourist visa whilst waiting (they need to leave Australia for a few days for the visa to be granted). The offshore visas are cheaper and a few months quicker to be granted.
One other factor is that travelling on a tourist visa limits the time that your children could go to school (3 months) whilst waiting. If you were to travel and then apply, the bridging visas wouldn't have this restriction.
#458
Living the dream in WA
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 315
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Your children will be included on your wife's visa, so you won't need to do a separate application for them.
In theory you should apply and get it granted before you go, as the tourist visa isn't supposed to be used for people going with the intention of applying onshore. There are people who apply in London and then travel on a tourist visa whilst waiting (they need to leave Australia for a few days for the visa to be granted). The offshore visas are cheaper and a few months quicker to be granted.
One other factor is that travelling on a tourist visa limits the time that your children could go to school (3 months) whilst waiting. If you were to travel and then apply, the bridging visas wouldn't have this restriction.
In theory you should apply and get it granted before you go, as the tourist visa isn't supposed to be used for people going with the intention of applying onshore. There are people who apply in London and then travel on a tourist visa whilst waiting (they need to leave Australia for a few days for the visa to be granted). The offshore visas are cheaper and a few months quicker to be granted.
One other factor is that travelling on a tourist visa limits the time that your children could go to school (3 months) whilst waiting. If you were to travel and then apply, the bridging visas wouldn't have this restriction.
#459
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Have had a read through here and found it extremely helpful and interesting. My wife and I have been together for nearly 15 years and have two children together and are, obviously, looking to migrate to Australia in the next 18 months or so, or as suitable work is offered.
I should add here that I am an Australian National, through my mum's side of the family.
I'm expecting my wife will need a Spouse Visa, and the children a child visa, but if I were to go sooner than expected, could they come out as well on a holiday visa and apply once there, or does it have to be done before they go? The hope is my wife won't have to work once there, should this not be the case then we'd obviously have to get the spouse visa more quickly to allow her to work too (?).
I should add here that I am an Australian National, through my mum's side of the family.
I'm expecting my wife will need a Spouse Visa, and the children a child visa, but if I were to go sooner than expected, could they come out as well on a holiday visa and apply once there, or does it have to be done before they go? The hope is my wife won't have to work once there, should this not be the case then we'd obviously have to get the spouse visa more quickly to allow her to work too (?).
Takes 5-6 months in the UK at present, longer and more expensive onshore. Your wife and kids could possibly come on evisitors, as tourists, but be aware they must be coming with the intention of leaving again or DIAC may refuse them entry.
#460
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Hi all. 2013 has started and I've decided to take the plunge and start organising my hubby to sponsor me for the spouse visa . I've made my way through 20 pages so far and the help here is awesome and very encouraging so thanks from a newbie.
I've just started digging out evidence (married 2.5 years, 1 yr old daughter, lived together 4+ years) and have a few wedding invites but more thank you's (polite friends!). Do you think these will be ok addressed to us (but not saved envelopes). how did people copy such cards, did you copy both the front and inside? Or just inside? Am going to keep on reading but even after a search I couldn't find an answer to this.
Also my UK passport is still in maiden name but everything else is in married name, including name on daughters birth certificate. Does anyone have any views whether I should get a new UK passport in new name or does it not matter? Still have a few years left on it!
Thanks in advance
I've just started digging out evidence (married 2.5 years, 1 yr old daughter, lived together 4+ years) and have a few wedding invites but more thank you's (polite friends!). Do you think these will be ok addressed to us (but not saved envelopes). how did people copy such cards, did you copy both the front and inside? Or just inside? Am going to keep on reading but even after a search I couldn't find an answer to this.
Also my UK passport is still in maiden name but everything else is in married name, including name on daughters birth certificate. Does anyone have any views whether I should get a new UK passport in new name or does it not matter? Still have a few years left on it!
Thanks in advance
Doesn't matter that the passport is in your maiden name, you'll presumably have a marriage certificate so thats fine.
Tip I try and give everyone - in recent years we have seen a lot of requests from DIAC for "further info"before they finally grant Spouse/de facto visas, so try not to send everything at once - give them a fair amount of evidence but keep some back, sort of in reserve, in case they ask!
#461
Living the dream in WA
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 315
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Spouse visa for your wife, and then if your children are already Aussies they get listed as dependents on the Spouse Visa application (no extra fee).
Takes 5-6 months in the UK at present, longer and more expensive onshore. Your wife and kids could possibly come on evisitors, as tourists, but be aware they must be coming with the intention of leaving again or DIAC may refuse them entry.
Takes 5-6 months in the UK at present, longer and more expensive onshore. Your wife and kids could possibly come on evisitors, as tourists, but be aware they must be coming with the intention of leaving again or DIAC may refuse them entry.
Will be looking to get an application in for the wife soon as things could be happening sooner than expected as I can go to WA police as a citizen and not start at the bottom. Better than I'd hoped, just got to get there and secure a job!!
#462
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Unfortunately the children are not Aussies as I have not lived there as a citizen for the right amount of time (2 years). Obviously once I'd been there for that long I could apply, or they'd get it having met the criteria.
Will be looking to get an application in for the wife soon as things could be happening sooner than expected as I can go to WA police as a citizen and not start at the bottom. Better than I'd hoped, just got to get there and secure a job!!
Will be looking to get an application in for the wife soon as things could be happening sooner than expected as I can go to WA police as a citizen and not start at the bottom. Better than I'd hoped, just got to get there and secure a job!!
#463
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 13
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Spouse visa for your wife, and then if your children are already Aussies they get listed as dependents on the Spouse Visa application (no extra fee).
Takes 5-6 months in the UK at present, longer and more expensive onshore. Your wife and kids could possibly come on evisitors, as tourists, but be aware they must be coming with the intention of leaving again or DIAC may refuse them entry.
Takes 5-6 months in the UK at present, longer and more expensive onshore. Your wife and kids could possibly come on evisitors, as tourists, but be aware they must be coming with the intention of leaving again or DIAC may refuse them entry.
#464
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Standard time advised by the UK is 8-9 monts, allows for any hitches that arise. I don't think we've had anyone on here for a good while that has waited beyind 6 months for London. They are often ready to grant after 2-3 months but can only process a certain number each week. Some people have even been told in advance when theirs will be ganted - Have a look back through the thread and you'll see what I mean
#465
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 13
Re: Spouse Visa Thread continued - 2012-2013
Standard time advised by the UK is 8-9 monts, allows for any hitches that arise. I don't think we've had anyone on here for a good while that has waited beyind 6 months for London. They are often ready to grant after 2-3 months but can only process a certain number each week. Some people have even been told in advance when theirs will be ganted - Have a look back through the thread and you'll see what I mean
Additionally we emailed the CO handling my wife's application last week and he stated that he would aim to finalise the application around June/July, which would be 8-9 months. He did not say whether the visa would definitely be granted and whilst I seriously doubt it wouldn't be granted we are still reluctant to book flights or quit jobs at this time.
I very much hope you are right about the 5-6 months as that would make our life a lot easier. If visa does not get granted until July that only gives us 3 months to organise the move.