Spouse Visa... HELP!!

Joo72 · #1 (**permalink**) 16th September 2009, 09:51 PM

My partner of 18 months is having to return to Australia (Perth - his hometown) in November / December and I am wanting to join him as soon as poss. Just started to research the type of Visa I will need... any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

amaslam · #2 (**permalink**) 16th September 2009, 10:02 PM

If you have been living together for 12 months and can show that in documents (i.e. shared bills, etc.) then you can apply for a spouse visa (do a search on the forum as it's been discussed before). If you can get on the ball quickly you may be able to get it in time for December (November is possible, but only if processing is completely smooth).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joo72

My partner of 18 months is having to return to Australia (Perth - his hometown) in November / December and I am wanting to join him as soon as poss. Just started to research the type of Visa I will need... any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joo72 · #3 (**permalink**) 17th September 2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amaslam

If you have been living together for 12 months and can show that in documents (i.e. shared bills, etc.) then you can apply for a spouse visa (do a search on the forum as it's been discussed before). If you can get on the ball quickly you may be able to get it in time for December (November is possible, but only if processing is completely smooth).

Thanks for that. Do we have to have been living together for the whole 12 months? Also, any idea of costs for police checks, medicals etc.. Also, is there a cost for him or just myself?

amaslam · #4 (**permalink**) 17th September 2009, 09:11 AM

The cost should be just for you, as he would be the sponsoring spouse (he does have AU PR or Citizenship right?).

All costs are on the immi website, basically there are (3) main costs:
1. Health Check
2. Police Check
3. Visa application

Some additional costs might be notary or stamping fees but they vary and aren't large compared to the above (3). The visa application charge is published on the Immi website (search for Spouse visa). Health check and Police check fees vary by country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joo72

Thanks for that. Do we have to have been living together for the whole 12 months? Also, any idea of costs for police checks, medicals etc.. Also, is there a cost for him or just myself?

andyh · #5 (**permalink**) 18th September 2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joo72

My partner of 18 months is having to return to Australia (Perth - his hometown) in November / December and I am wanting to join him as soon as poss. Just started to research the type of Visa I will need... any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best way get yourself an agent complete the 407 and apply for the marital visa. If your partner has good standing and is resident or as said a citizen he can sponsor you. What will be taken into account is deff the requirment for how long you have been together and proof will deff need to be provided.On application as long as you pass the medical and police checks and the paperwork goes through the correct channels you can wait up to 9 months as there is a back log of 2 months at this time.Please make sure that you take the hiv blood test with the medical as some ( not all ) doctors have it on their system as not required. IT IS AND WILL DELAY YOU . when your medical goes to the AHC this could be 6-9 month and your partner will have to fill as many forms as you and provide residential addresses and also earnings. If you need further help please ask and i will go into more detail good luck

Zultan · #6 (**permalink**) 19th September 2009, 05:00 AM

There's a great generic email that Australia House sends out in response to enquiries about spouse visas. Unfortunately, due to forum restrictions I can neither post it here (it's too long) or post a link to it (I'm too junior). Your best bet is to put the string below into google (keep the speech marks).

"Partner migration refers to applications for entry to Australia made by the married or de facto spouse"

Joo72 · #7 (**permalink**) 20th September 2009, 08:36 AM

WOW!! Amazing info on that link, thank you so much. Do you know if they do any kind of credit checks on you? Also, I still own my house over here. I will be selling to make the move to Oz, will this have any effect on the process?

miguel · #8 (**permalink**) 20th September 2009, 02:30 PM

hi we are south african go for the spousal visa 309 .. took us 29 days !!!!! and we were in africa :-).. just get all your certificates etcif u are married or else lots of proof that u together like photos etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joo72

My partner of 18 months is having to return to Australia (Perth - his hometown) in November / December and I am wanting to join him as soon as poss. Just started to research the type of Visa I will need... any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joo72 · #9 (**permalink**) 21st September 2009, 07:57 AM

Thank you for that. Much appreciated

Zultan · #10 (**permalink**) 29th September 2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joo72

WOW!! Amazing info on that link, thank you so much. Do you know if they do any kind of credit checks on you? Also, I still own my house over here. I will be selling to make the move to Oz, will this have any effect on the process?

The only financial check that Aussie Immigration make is to confirm that you don't already owe money to the Australian government (previous fines, benefits or the cost of your previous extradition - that sort of thing).

The general consensus is that UK debts are NOT enforceable downunder either....