Applying for Spouse Visa in Australia

[erina]

Originally Posted by Joppa

Normal processing time is 50 to 60 working days, but if you pay $300 extra for priority service, you get an answer within 10 days.

My fiance is flying to australia from england so that we shall be married, and not have to process the fiance visa before going there.

As soon as we get married, and have our certificates (hopefully on the same day as we marry)... can we apply for my spouse visa the day after the wedding or is there a waiting period?

What is this 50-60 day wait for? and the $300? If i apply for the spouse visa from sydney, wont this just be the normal processing times as outlined on the UKBA website (aka roughly 2 weeks) for spouse visa and then i can work straight away???

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by erina

My fiance is flying to australia from england so that we shall be married, and not have to process the fiance visa before going there.

As soon as we get married, and have our certificates (hopefully on the same day as we marry)... can we apply for my spouse visa the day after the wedding or is there a waiting period?

What is this 50-60 day wait for? and the $300? If i apply for the spouse visa from sydney, wont this just be the normal processing times as outlined on the UKBA website (aka roughly 2 weeks) for spouse visa and then i can work straight away???

That's old info for US applicants so doesn't apply in your case. While there is no priority service, settlement applications in Australia seem to be processed pretty quickly by visa hub in Manila. Once issued, you can work on arrival in UK.

You can apply online straightaway, but you must make a biometric appointment at one of the British consulates, for which there may be a delay. Then you send your supporting documents to Sydney for onward transmission to visa processing centre in Manila.

[erina]

Originally Posted by Joppa

That's old info for US applicants so doesn't apply in your case. While there is no priority service, settlement applications in Australia seem to be processed pretty quickly by visa hub in Manila. Once issued, you can work on arrival in UK.

You can apply online straightaway, but you must make a biometric appointment at one of the British consulates, for which there may be a delay. Then you send your supporting documents to Sydney for onward transmission to visa processing centre in Manila.

Cool, didn't think so but just making sure.

Can I book my biometrics appointment a couple of days before my wedding ceremony or is this not allowed?

I know this is a long shot, but do you know anything about sending the correct marriage certificate in your spouse application? On the day we obviously sign the appropriate documents, but does it need to be registered at the births, deaths and marriages registry office of NSW, and THEN i get a lawful copy of the marriage certificate? I read that it takes 4 weeks to register the marriage in NSW so obviously i would want to just include the certificate we sign on the day, but im not sure if this is sufficient proof of a lawful marriage?

Once again, thank you so much for all of your help Joppa! I promise one day i WILL run out of questions.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by erina

Cool, didn't think so but just making sure.

Can I book my biometrics appointment a couple of days before my wedding ceremony or is this not allowed?

No, it will have to be after your marriage, as you cannot make a booking until after you've sent your online application.

I know this is a long shot, but do you know anything about sending the correct marriage certificate in your spouse application? On the day we obviously sign the appropriate documents, but does it need to be registered at the births, deaths and marriages registry office of NSW, and THEN i get a lawful copy of the marriage certificate? I read that it takes 4 weeks to register the marriage in NSW so obviously i would want to just include the certificate we sign on the day, but im not sure if this is sufficient proof of a lawful marriage?

I'm pretty certain that the certificate you get from your celebrant is sufficient. But since you need a registered copy to apply for an Australian passport, for example, I suggest you contact UKBA by email at:
UK Border Agency | Enquiries English

Have now created a new thread as it's about applying in Australia.

[erina]

Originally Posted by Joppa

No, it will have to be after your marriage, as you cannot make a booking until after you've sent your online application.



I'm pretty certain that the certificate you get from your celebrant is sufficient. But since you need a registered copy to apply for an Australian passport, for example, I suggest you contact UKBA by email at:
UK Border Agency | Enquiries English

Have now created a new thread as it's about applying in Australia.

What sort of online application will I have to send? So it will ask me what day I was married? That is such a shame. Feels like I will never see my fiancé ever again at this point.

I have emailed the UKBA an enquiry so i hope i dont have to wait 4 weeks.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by erina

What sort of online application will I have to send? So it will ask me what day I was married? That is such a shame. Feels like I will never see my fiancé ever again at this point.

I have emailed the UKBA an enquiry so i hope i dont have to wait 4 weeks.

You can only send a spouse visa application after you've become a spouse, not before. Weddings have been cancelled or postponed at the last minute.
Most people I've heard from managed to get biometric appointment within a week or so.
You can send your documents by overnight courier.
I haven't heard of people having to wait 4 weeks for registered marriage certificate, so you may be ok with the one you get on your wedding day but it's right to contact UKBA for guidance.
There will be some waiting involved but all being well you should get your visa within 3-4 weeks. This will give your fiancé time to go home and get things ready for your arrival.

[Kitara]

joppa: You are good! U even know asia application goes to Manila!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Kitara

joppa: You are good! U even know asia application goes to Manila!

UKBA's Manila regional hub for visa processing now handles applications from 10 countries around the Asia-Pacific, including Japan, S Korea, HK, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, NZ as well as Philippines. They have a new building in Makati City.

[Kitara]

Wow impressive...

[erina]

Originally Posted by Joppa

UKBA's Manila regional hub for visa processing now handles applications from 10 countries around the Asia-Pacific, including Japan, S Korea, HK, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, NZ as well as Philippines. They have a new building in Makati City.

Does my fiancé need a special visa to be married in Australia? Or does he just need a tourist visa to enter?

Also, in the terms of our spouse visa is it like the fiancé visa as in is it ok to say that as a married couple we will be living with his parents?

And a quick question about the VAF4 form. I am currently receiving benefits from the government under the looking for employment scheme, but i also receive benefits for mental health issues, should i state that i am unemployed or other and provide details? will this reflect badly on my application? they will see on my bank statement that i am receiving money from the government, which is money they give anyone over 21 who is looking for employment. i dont want this to reflect badly on my application as someone who lives off public funds?? and also that i have mental health issues!!!?