SUMMARY: Spouse Visa Processing times OFFSHORE-UK. Please add your Stats.

[LoznWill]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Sorry to be the one to share bad news, family seperation does not seem to be a reason speed things up. Was there a reason that you just didn't lodge your visa onshore?

Hi All,

I've been trawling through the Fact Sheets on Oz Immi Website and have copied below some info which I thought might help in all of us being more informed (or more worried?? I hope not!!). Although capping doesn't really exist, I would imagine current waiting times are skewed in order to ensure the number of migrants entering Australia on a Partner Visa are in line with the projected number set for 2011. What do others think?

Partner visas are meant to be granted in line with current queuing guidelines. ie. in order of lodgement, or compelling reason for priority processing.

I remember reading (but can't find) that it does, unfortunately, state that the fact of having a child or being pregnant does not in itself represent a compelling reason for priority processing, as there may be other people with equally or more compelling reasons for priority processing. Pretty hard to swallow if you have a child and don't want them to be separated from their parent I know (I don't have kids but I know how i'd feel if I did). But I guess they do have to make some pretty icky hard decisions. The good thing is that if the current program processing times are extended in order to kick us over into the next program year, then we would be at the top of the queue. Anyway, if others know differently and/or I've got anything wrong please do let me know. Hope this helps just in terms of being better informed.

Information below directly copied from DIAC Fact Sheets.

The planning level for the 2010–11 Migration Program is set at 168 700 places for Skilled, Family and Special Eligibility Stream migrants. This maintains the government’s commitment to an immigration policy which seeks to balance social, economic, humanitarian and environmental objectives. The planning level for the family stream in 2010-11 is set at 54 550 visas, which represents 32.3 per cent of the total Migration Program.
Within each family visa category, visa applicants are generally considered in order of the date of lodgement. In relation to Partner and Child category visa applications, higher priority in processing may be considered in cases where there are compelling or compassionate circumstances. If such circumstances exist, applicants will need to advise the visa office where their application is being processed and provide evidence to support their claims. There is no guarantee that your application will be prioritised. Other applicants may have equally or more compelling and compassionate circumstances and there is a limited number of visas that can be granted in the program year.
Cap and queue

The Migration Act 1958 (the Act), allows the Minister to ‘cap’ or limit the number of visas which can be granted each year in a particular visa subclass.
This limit, or cap, applies only for the migration program year in which it is introduced. When a cap is reached, applicants then wait in a queue for visa grant consideration in a following year, subject to places becoming available.
This means that when the number of visas set by the Minister for a visa class for the migration program year has been reached, no further visas can be granted in that program year.
Family Stream

Partner category visas:

• Partner (subclasses 309/100 and 820/801) visas cannot be capped.
• Prospective Marriage (fiancé) (subclass 300) visas may be subject to capping.

None of the above are currently capped.

[mjandmum]

This is most probably the only time I would ever say this but in your case I think you would have been better lodging an onshore visa application. You would have been put on a bridging visa till it was granted and you would have been alowed to stay in Oz.

I'm not to sure if compasionate grounds would apply here as I dont know your situation fully, once you have a CO you can always ask. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by asking. As far as I am aware compasionate grounds would normally mean like of you have just suffered a close family berevment and you are left on your own or that you partner is looking after someone. I dont think just having a small child and wanting to get over there qualifys as there are many other people in your position and it would be a tad unfair for the people that dont have children if you were bumped up the list, but again there is no harm in asking

If this is not an option you can always apply for another tourist visa and come over. Thats what I have done, got here Saturday.

We couldn't apply onshore as there was a 'no further stay' clause attached to my visitor visa. Obviously I appreciate everyone has their own extenuating circumstances but like everyone, ours feel pretty unfair to us. We know what it is to be separated awaiting visas - we had 2 and a half months waiting apart before my 12 month visitor visa was granted but this is sooo much harder on all of us because of the baby and my in-laws' ill health.

We haven't even heard from a case officer yet and payment was taken on the 18th!!! :0(

[attypodian]

Hey, just wondering what questions your case officer asked in the phone interview? Did you find it intimidating? My app was received in AH on March 1st. Case officer assigned on March 3rd and additional police check requested which I have since provided! Sounds like your visa is sure to be granted but that you have to wait! It's a pain eh! Best of luck!

Just trying to get myself ready as Im also in a same sex relationship, has anyone had the dreaded interview with your CO and if so what do they ask you?

Hi Laura K and Adelaide,

Ages ago I found and saved these two posts regarding what questions might be asked during a phone interview, hope they help.

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migrat...tml#post807058

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migrat...tml#post798403

Atty.

[Chimpy chops]

Hey, just wondering what questions your case officer asked in the phone interview? Did you find it intimidating? My app was received in AH on March 1st. Case officer assigned on March 3rd and additional police check requested which I have since provided! Sounds like your visa is sure to be granted but that you have to wait! It's a pain eh! Best of luck!

Just trying to get myself ready as Im also in a same sex relationship, has anyone had the dreaded interview with your CO and if so what do they ask you?

attypodian sent through some good links. I checked out some forums on here before my interview and found them very helpful.

Our CO asked us more personal questions, little fine details about everything.
- your perfect day out together as a couple?
- does anything annoy you about your partner, if so what?
- how did you first meet?
- explain when you started your defacto relationship?
- when did you decide to move in together?
- details about certain things/events that you mentioned in your statement?
- we have been together for 3 years so over that time we had lived in 4 different apartments and he asked us every detail about the apartments, like what they looked like external/internal and what household duties were shared?
- what are your plans for the future?
- what would you do if your visa application was denied?
- what music does your partner like?

that's all i think can think of right now, i hope that was helpful.
just be honest about everything and you will be fine!

let me know if you have anymore questions?

[WaitingPatiently]

We couldn't apply onshore as there was a 'no further stay' clause attached to my visitor visa. Obviously I appreciate everyone has their own extenuating circumstances but like everyone, ours feel pretty unfair to us. We know what it is to be separated awaiting visas - we had 2 and a half months waiting apart before my 12 month visitor visa was granted but this is sooo much harder on all of us because of the baby and my in-laws' ill health.

We haven't even heard from a case officer yet and payment was taken on the 18th!!! :0(

Hi mjandmum, I know how you feel but unfortunately the grounds for "compassionate circumstances" dont cover much. Like others have said, many of us have difficult circumstances and have gone to great effort and cost to minimise the pain of separation during visa processing. In our case we were separated for 5months previously and this time my partner may miss the birth of our child due to visa processing times. We are hoping to go down the tourist visa route if it gets too close to the birth! In your case perhaps you and the baby could go to NZ for a few months and your partner could visit there for much less time and cost? I understand how you must feel and hope that you find some way to see eachother or to make the time go as quickly as possible. Skype is great if you don't already use that! you get a CO soon so you can ask the question. Keep us posted x

[WaitingPatiently]

Hi Chimpy Chops, we submitted 14Jan and are pretty much on the same timeline as you so we should both be granted around the same time. Will be great to hear if/when you actually get an estimated date for the visa to be granted. We have completed and sent in everything as of yesterday so are waiting the 2 weeks and will then try to get a date out of them (sounds like it's hit or miss if you get a specific date or the standard 5-6months blah blah blah). Well done and good luck :-)

[Gwyndra]

[QUOTE=Gwyndra;1026549]Hi Everyone!
I've been reading your posts, and although our application was lodged back in Nov 2010, here i am waiting with you all......so i guess i'm part of the March Gang! Yay!!!

My OH is a very casual, layback fellow living in Yorkshire...I am happy to say that he's going to email our Case Officer (AB) on Monday 21st March to let him know the police check and medical checks have all been arranged and that he (AB) should have them on his desk by now...... I find it frustrating being way over here in Australia - being far away from my guy is rubbish...last time we were together was AUGUST 2009!

Anyway...here's our stats:

2nd Nov - Application sent
9th Nov - Money taken
17th Jan - My OH called Australia House....after hearing nothing so far.
31st Jan - Case Officer sends an email introducing himself - Hooray!
2nd Feb - Case Officer requests more proof of relationship
3rd Feb - Further proof supplied
17th Feb - Case Officer asks for Med Check & Police Check
1st Mar - Med checks completed & medical centre says will send directly after 10 working days
3rd Mar - Police Check applied for - They say they will process in 5 working days.

Judging by the 5-6 month turn around....reckon we'll hear something by end of April.

Just spoke to my englishman - we're both 'over the waiting' - it's getting boring. I said 'ah well - good things come to those who wait' Well that must make us two a couple of Saints!!!!

Hope you're all hanging in there ok just like me! Its soooo nice to know i'm not the only one in this world experiencing the sheer frustration of waiting for a visa stamp.

All the best!


Gwyndra (this is me after reading all the posts) ha





AND Noooooow 30th March 2011 - My englishman received an email from Australia house.....VISA APPROVED!! HOOOOORAYYYYY!!!!! I'm so happy, i'm grinning like an idiot!

[Toffa]

Hello all... to give you an update on our progress...

We have our application with them... we were asked for Police and Med checks which have now been received and ok'd...

Where are we now in the process?? Does this mean they have everything and we now play the waiting game??

Our timeline so far is
February 24th: Sent in Forms
March 1st: Payment taken
March 3rd: Requested Meds and Police checks only
March 24th: Everything with DP and no further information required

Hopefully that should be it now, but if anyone can let us know what to expect next that would be great.

Cheers all and keep the faith!! Toffa

[dadoftwins]

[QUOTE=Gwyndra;1036325]

Hi Everyone!
I've been reading your posts, and although our application was lodged back in Nov 2010, here i am waiting with you all......so i guess i'm part of the March Gang! Yay!!!

My OH is a very casual, layback fellow living in Yorkshire...I am happy to say that he's going to email our Case Officer (AB) on Monday 21st March to let him know the police check and medical checks have all been arranged and that he (AB) should have them on his desk by now...... I find it frustrating being way over here in Australia - being far away from my guy is rubbish...last time we were together was AUGUST 2009!

Anyway...here's our stats:

2nd Nov - Application sent
9th Nov - Money taken
17th Jan - My OH called Australia House....after hearing nothing so far.
31st Jan - Case Officer sends an email introducing himself - Hooray!
2nd Feb - Case Officer requests more proof of relationship
3rd Feb - Further proof supplied
17th Feb - Case Officer asks for Med Check & Police Check
1st Mar - Med checks completed & medical centre says will send directly after 10 working days
3rd Mar - Police Check applied for - They say they will process in 5 working days.

Judging by the 5-6 month turn around....reckon we'll hear something by end of April.

Just spoke to my englishman - we're both 'over the waiting' - it's getting boring. I said 'ah well - good things come to those who wait' Well that must make us two a couple of Saints!!!!

Hope you're all hanging in there ok just like me! Its soooo nice to know i'm not the only one in this world experiencing the sheer frustration of waiting for a visa stamp.

All the best!


Gwyndra (this is me after reading all the posts) ha





AND Noooooow 30th March 2011 - My englishman received an email from Australia house.....VISA APPROVED!! HOOOOORAYYYYY!!!!! I'm so happy, i'm grinning like an idiot!

Congratulations, that's superb news. Fingers crossed that they process the rest of us at that speed (ish)

[Roary]

Hello all
New here but have been reading through this. I am in the process of applying for a 100 (Permanent). Married 7 years to a an AUssie, together for 10, 2 small kids.

We are in an odd situation in that when we lived in Australia previously I was on a de facto spouse visa, for which we applied on-shore. It was granted in 2004 but we never converted it to a permanent resident visa because we had moved to the UK. I am assured this won't cause any problems, anyone else been in a similar situation?

I also wanted to ask has anyone gotten their visa FASTER than the 5-6 month waiting time? In 2004 when my first visa was granted, it only took 3 months but it was an onshore application. I have a vague sense that if things are extremely straightforward it can go faster, because they won't need to chase things up or to be as heavily convinced. I could be totally wrong though!

*MJandmummy* I think the only thing you can do is to write to your case officer the second he/she is assigned, explain the situation, and hope you get someone sympathetic, so they can process it as fast as possible when it comes up in the queue. I hope you put in your stat dec statement about the separation, etc?