De facto visas...help!

[Kierodeniro]

Hi everyone, I'm currently in the middle of applying for a de facto visa. I'm now entering the 6th month since I lodged it. I'm really fed up & fustrated, my girlfriend is in Sydney and I'm here missing her like crazzy. Can anyone tell me how long these visas take? Is it normal to take this long? Or do you feel from your experiences that this is in excess. All comments will be muchly appreciated. Cheers guys!

[Lucia]

Oh dear, that is along time! I have literally just sent my de-facto spouse application off this morning and i'm hoping to hear back in about 6-8 weeks. Lots of people on this site seem to have had very different experiences with regards to 'waiting'.
Have you sent all your medicals, police checks etc? Did you provide enough evidence to prove your relationship is genuine and continuing? I find it strange that you have not heard anything yet - You both must be very frustrated with this! I hope you hear soon - keep us posted!

Good luck,

Lucia

[Cookiecrew]

Blimey, that is a long wait. I will shortly be submitting for this visa too and have received correspondence from Australia House that turn around is currently 12 weeks. Can you not find out from your case officer what is holding it up?

Do you know once the visa is granted how long you get before having to make first entry? It's all new to me! Will watch on with interest for any news on your process!

Cookiecrew

[Taz01]

My partner moved to Oz on a de-facto visa- it took around 8-9 weeks to come through and that included having to send off for a new police check which took 40 days to come back! Have they contacted you at all to give you a case-file number and have they taken payment? It seems a bit long to be waiting... As Lucia asked; did you send everything off at once? The date for initial entry is usually 12 months from the date of the police check or medical; whichever is sooner. My partner did his first police check in November 06, and becuase we didn't get the application in until April 07, they asked for another one to be done to cover that 6 month gap- his visa was granted in mid June and his entry date was November 07, which gave us 5 months to move. It does seem unusual that it has taken so long. I'm sure a quick email/ phonecall to Australia House would be ok considering you have waited for so long now.... I'm sure it will all be fine though

[Kierodeniro]

Yeah I keep bugging my case worker & she won't really tell me in anything. For the past month she's been saying that my medicals are being looked at. But I can't beleive it takes a month just to look at some medicals. I will defo keep you posted on my experience.

[Kierodeniro]

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[Kierodeniro]

I submitted my application in September, they then required more info which I got to them at the end of October. I have tried contacting them but they're not exactly helpful. I enquired again last week & got a polite email basically telling me to leave her alone. I'm starting think I've a dodgy case worker.

[Taz01]

Looks like you just have to be patient! I'm sure it will come through soon.