Spouse Visa Processing Times Vs other Visa Types

sydneyshell · 22-11-2007, 05:01 PM

I have noticed that there are alot of you that have had to wait A LONG time for your visa's to come through.

My DH (who is British) and I (who am Aussie) are planning on applying for a Spouse Visa soon but I wondered if it is quicker to apply for a Spouse Visa as compared to the points based visa's and others?

We are due to move out Oz in late Feb 08 and have heard that spouse visa's can be processed in as little as 4-6 weeks - anyone had this happen to them?

As time is running short, we might end up applying in Oz but would prefer to have it all sorted before we get there.

Thanks in advance

SydneyShell

Mrs C · 22-11-2007, 05:16 PM

Hi Sydneyshell,

I am in the process of applying for my Spouse Visa and I have been told that I should hear in about 6 weeks (tops). With this type of visa you need your Medicals and police checks first. Reason being that other visa's take so long that these documents run out after 12 months and if visa takes longer than a year your medicals and police checks are no longer valid.

After reading other peoples posts I am glad that the OH (Hubby Richard) was born in Oz (NSW).

We have used an agent from a company called 1st contact and they have been really good. So much stuff we would not have thought to add if we had gone it alone.

Is it just you and the OH or do you have children?

Regards April

sydneyshell · 22-11-2007, 06:02 PM

Hi April

My DH and I have an 18mth old Son and I am currently 17 weeks pregnant with no. 2 - we've been married 3.5 years so hoping that we get the permanent visa as opposed to a Temp one.

I used to work with 1st Contact thru a company based in London - pleased to hear they have been good to you as I have heard mixed reports!

Is there anything that you can tell me that you hadn't thought of, or that wasn't obvious that might be helpful as we are going it alone eg no agent.

I was also born in NSW - must be nice for your DH to be headed home :-)

Thanks for your response

Michelle

Mrs C · 22-11-2007, 06:23 PM

Yeah Rich is really looking forward to moving back as he has not been since he left aged 3.

We needed to provide load's of paperwork and mainly to prove that we have been in a relationship for more than 5 years as this would help get a perminant visa. But what do you keep? in our case not much. We have been married since 2004 but together since 2000, but at our old addrerss everything was in my name, as Richard moved in with me there.

Statements from people who know us ie friends and family, but we also asked accountant and solicitor to do ours. Getting everything stamped and certified etc. We also needed two Aussie Stat Dec's re our relationship being real. The list is really endless We included bills, mortgage statements doctors notes, hospital letters, wedding invite from friends, everything we could think of was sent up. The more the better was our motto.

Don't forget to have load's of passport photos taken of all as need these for meds and application.

I hope this helps, if you have any questions just ask and i'll do my best! I'm new here too so nice to keep in touch.

Congratulations on the baby, how exciting, when are you looking at going back?

By the way Rich comes from Parkes... Out in the bush...........

April

sydneyshell · 22-11-2007, 06:29 PM

Thanks April, our situation is pretty much exactly the same (met 2001, married 2004) but the thing I am worried about is that I am a 'thrower', we don't have ANYTHING such as a wedding invite, birthday card etc that has both our names on it asI threw them all out!!!

We have all the legal stuff in joint names, except from when we lived together in Toby's flat in London together (2001-2005) as it was all in his name as it was his place!

I am just starting to get everything together but time is running out as we wanted to go late Feb and it seems it might be a bit risky to book flights without his Visa being approved! I need to get home before this baby arrives!!!!!!

Parkes = 'Back of Burke' as Aussie's would say - meaning it is out in the middle of nowhere (but a lovely place nonetheless!)

Thanks for your assistance so far

Shell x

Wendy · 22-11-2007, 07:45 PM

Hi Sydneyshell,

I am in the process of applying for a spouse visa and I have to say it was pretty straightforward. I didn't frontload my meds and police checks I just waited until they sent me an email requesting them as we have plenty of time as we are aiming for Sept 08.

I didn't sent anything like invites or cards etc as I don't keep things like that either and I also had the problem of the mortgage being in my name as hubbie moved in with me...so I sent bank statements, bills, etc oh and we didn't send any aussie stat decs either because my hubbies family are back in the UK now anyway.

I think if everything is straightforward then yes it is a minimum of 6 weeks but I am still waiting as I had to have something on my medical looked into further but that is hopefully going to be signed off and sent within the next couple of days.

Wendy