TheOptimist

Congratulations to those of you who have just been granted your visas! Great start to the New Year!

Thanks The Optimist, ill give her a call on Monday as i have a day of work. We will be stoked if the visa goes through before the advised time. Did you have an interview and if so, was it in person or over the phone? I gather that most interviews are done over the phone.

 

My fiance has been offered a job at her old place of work in Melbourne so she is heading back in the next week to start work. We both want to stay with each other untill the visa is granted but its a one time offer and it is a great job so it would be silly to turn it down and it also gives Ez some extra time to arrange the wedding and get things ready for when i join her. Its going to make the next few months so much harder. I will inform my co about this, im sure it wont effect the dicision in any way, if any thing it should be better, as she will have a permanent job and iv already got a job with my pevious employer waiting for me.

 

Thanks heaps again for you advise

 

Ez and Luch

No problem, you're very welcome. I'm no expert, just happen to have gone through the same process very recently (well, similar, I have a 309 Defacto visa).

Afraid that being apart makes no ounce of difference to DIAC. I have been apart from my boyfriend for getting on for 7 months (tough) and afraid that it isn't a factor to them and won't speed things up :sad:.

I think that most people are finding that the time line stated by DIAC is pretty accurate for visa approvals. Not sure I've heard of anyone getting their visa granted earlier than the estimated time. But you can always hope. Though wouldn't get your hopes up too high.

We weren't asked to be interviewed at all, not everyone is. But would have thought it would be over the phone if you are.

Hey, yeah its nice out there, iv got a few mates that live around Maribyrnong. We'll be living with Ez's parents in Greensborough for the first month or so, were looking to get a place in Eltham.

In the next few years were going to set up a cafe, its been our dream for years so were going to start working towards it.

 

The last month and next few are going to be the most anxious and stressfull of our lifes, you guys must be wrapped ay, very happy for you both.

 

I'm guessing that there pretty accurate with the visa waiting times, how long did they advise you the waiting time was for your visa? I think the PMV takes longer, im not to sure ay, we've been told it will take 5-6 months. I saw some old posts from last year and they were taking around 3 months to process but i think they are taking longer now.

 

Thanks heaps for your advise ay, its very much appreciated.

 

Ez and Luch

Hi guys,

Sounds like a great dream, good luck with the Cafe!

I gather that DIAC waiting times are being processed within 5-6 months at present (which goes for both the PMV and 309 partner visa, as far as I know). The waiting times for these went up after the Australian General Election last year. This can change though, and regularly does. Only a couple of years ago processing times were only a matter of weeks!

Your CO should be able to update you on this but don't be afraid to ask. Most people think its a good idea not to hassle their CO too often, but I wouldn't worry about getting in touch if you have any queries. My CO was really helpful.

Katherine

Hi Katherine, when i got the email stating that they had received my visa and asked for further info, it didn't say i had a co, but the person it was from said i should send any mail direct to her and if i need to contact any one i should speak to her directly, she also said she aimed to process the visa as quickly as possible, im guessing this is my co!

 

I see your heading to Melbourne ay, i lived there the last two years, beautiful city, what suburb are you moving to? I lived in Brunswick for a few months and then moved to Greensborough with my fiance, beautiful out that way.

 

Ez and Luch

Hi guys,

Yes, sounds as though that will be your CO.

Yep, Melbourne is lovely, I can't wait. I'll be out in the Western Suburbs to start with, then if I ever win the lotto hopefully Williamstown, I love it there. I'm looking forward to exploring far more in the coming months and years!

Where are you headed once your visa is in the bag? Hope you get through the next few months wait without driving yourselves too crazy. We're led to believe that the PMV and 309 Partner visas are some of the most straightforward but its still an anxious time, no doubt about that!

Best of luck with it.

Hey, how are you all? This is my first post on this site, iv found it very helpfull reading other peoples stories so i thought i would put my info up and keep you posted on how it goes.

 

Heres a little timeline so far:

 

19th November sent of Prospective Marriage Visa (Special Delivery)

23rd November Payment was taken

24th November Received comfirmation email asking for health check and Oz police check

29th November Health check done

23rd December Sent off Oz police check (Special Delivery)

 

I have not heard anything since, i checked with Royal Mail and the police check had been delivered. I'm not sure if i should ring and check to see if they have all the info they need. Some people say they received their photos back in the mail but i havent received anything yet!

Not sure if i should ring now and ask if they have all the info or wait a week as they probrably would have only just got back from their holidays? If anyone has any advise they can give me on any factor, it would be much appreciated or if anyone has loged their visa at a similar time it would be great to hear from you so we can keep each other posted!

 

Thanks heaps

 

Ez and Luch

Hi Ez and Luch,

Welcome to PIO. Good luck with your application!

I know that Australia house had a shutdown period over Christmas and the New Year, so I really wouldn't worry that you haven't heard anything from them yet. The bank holidays this year have meant that the usual hols period has been slightly extended too.

If you haven't heard from them by the end of the week perhaps just give them a call? Presumably you have a CO?

Katherine

Hi everyone! I'm in Echuca, Victoria and my englishman is in West Yorkshire...Said goodbye to him at the Melb Airport 18th Aug 2009 (soooo hard)...It has taken us an eternity to collect information, save some cash, & complete the Prospective Marriage Visa however here we have some details finally!!

 

Sent off Completed Application: 2nd Nov 2010 to London (No police / health checks)

Visa Money processed & photos returned: 9th Nov 2010

 

and so we continue to wait with no further news......patience is a virtue (so they say)

Good luck with it. So hard being separated while waiting for news and I feel for you as have gone through the same thing.

Congratulations Salma! Great news! :jiggy:

just been granted my 309 spouse visa!!!!!

sharon[39]mick[44]

visa lodged 7/7/2010

contacted AH because we had heard nothing

was told CO had left but new one would grant visa by 7/11/2010

visa granted 5/11/2010

off to glenelg sa 29/11/2110 for a new life

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!! :jiggy:

MASSIVE congratulations! Woohooo! :jiggy::jiggy::jiggy:

Congratulations hels! It is SUCH a weight lifted isn't it!

:jiggy:

I have got my visa! (subclass 309).

Wasn't expecting it for another couple of weeks, DIAC must be on fire!

Don't know what to do with myself - cry, dance, sing or drink (or perhaps all 4?!)

:jiggy::jiggy::jiggy:

Congrats PadD - all the best with the move!

congratulations PanD! hopefully it wil be me soon.visa lodged and frontloaded 7 july had no contact then until yesterday.co looking to grant on 7th november or there abouts.fingers crossed.

We lodged on exactly the same day, and I have been advised that I should get a decision w/c 12 November. Can't believe the waiting is nearly over!

Quick Summary

 

Posted Documents - 23/8/10

 

Email saying received and assigned a CO - 27/8/10

 

Email saying they wanted more evidence and a few other things like a new declaration - 9/9/10

 

Sent more evidence - 24/9/10

 

Phone interview needed - 14/10/10 (Interview has been arranged for 2/11/10)

 

Hope this info helps and i'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has so far about our experience.

 

Out of interest does anyone know, now were at this stage will I still need a medical or police check? Our application wasn't front loaded and I hope/assume if they were going to ask for this information it would have been earlier in the process?

Hi,

Good luck with the application!

I believe that police/meds are requested if not already front loaded once your CO is happy with the relationship requirement aspect of your app, so sounds like this could be asked for once your interview has been undertaken and they are happy with the additional statements etc.

GOT MY VISA GRANTED TODAY!!!!!:jiggy:

 

309 was granted today finally after 4 months, wooohoo! Shall be busy celebrating & booking flights but shall write an account of my application soon.

 

Soooo excited but feeling for everyone still waiting, hang on in there, your time will come sooner or later! Got my fingers crossed for you all!

Congratulations!! :jiggy:

Enjoy your well earned celebrations and good luck with the move! :hug:

Thank you and good luck yourself.

 

As soon as the lawyer gives us the contact details for the CO I'm going to ask the CO to abandon all correspondance with our lawyer. I see no advantage of retaining the services one the application is lodged. Getting the contact details off the lawyer is proving challenging in itself. Having a middle man who doesn't communicate makes it twice as challenging. To be honest - I have no idea if we have a CO yet. Apparently it arrived at Aus House on the 3rd Oct and was sent to the lawyer on the 19th Sept. The lawyer went on holiday for 2 weeks and it just sat in their office - can you believe it?

Sounds very frustrating. Hopefully you'll hear some positive news soon.

I should point out to other readers though that as Peach says, lots of people have positive experiences using an agent and it really is an individual choice as to whether an agent is used or not. Its very much a case there is no right or wrong but down to the people involved choosing an option which is best for them.

I certainly would NOT recommend using an agent. I've used one only because my company has chosen to relocate me and the 309 is the only visa option open to my wife. Therefore the company paid for a lawyer. I had to collate all the information myself via some guidelines sent by the lawyer. All the info needed to submit is available online anyway. When we sent it to the lawyer for checking no further info was required. The lawyer has since submitted and the only comms we've had from the lawyer is that Aus House has received the application. Nothing from Aus House or the lawyer regarding a timeframe. Do it yourself - the middle man is not necessary. The only other reason I can see to use a lawyer or agent is to speed the processing time up but this is just not going to happen as the processing time is set by policy of how many applications the government choose to approve each year. The only avenue to help speed up processing times is if the issue is highlighted to the Immigration Minister in an avalanche of complaints. Write letters or emails. I actually got a very nice response from DIAC - it didn't change anything but its nice to know they listen. So like many on here, my wife and I will spend many months apart whilst she continues to keep herself busy 9-5 in the UK and I do the same in Oz. Good luck everyone.

Hi,

Yes, I agree with you. It seems for this visa it really is very doable without using an agent. Of course some people have more complex circumstances (myself included) but even then I resisted using an agent as had heard that the 'middle man' caused extra complication. As you say, all info needed for this visa is readily available on DIACs website and I decided to use their helpline number for extra advice on the more complex aspects which I found worked well for me.

I have also found my CO to be really helpful and approachable. I'm not suggesting that people should hound their COs for lots of little things after lodgement, but where I have had specific queries about my visa I have been in touch and have had nothing but very helpful and articulate responses. I guess I could just be lucky but overall I am very impressed.

Good luck with your visa, and I sympathise with you being separated from your wife. I have now been apart from my partner for almost 4 months and it really is very hard.

I've been out of the loop a bit but just to say congratulations to everyone who have received their visa over the last few weeks. Great to see that DIAC are granting them thick and fast and about time!

WE GOT IT! VISA GRANTED!:jiggy:

SO HAPPY. THANKS TO EVERYONE ON HERE THAT HAVE HELPED AND SUPPORTED!

 

EMMA

X:hug:

Congratulations Emma! That's great news! I'm praying I'm not too far behind.

Did you call to speak to your CO or did he contact you directly?

This is so good, thank you!

I will give this information to my OH immediately who will be very pleased indeed!

At last! Thank god! Superb news! :hug:

Enjoy your celebrations!

OK...so...today's update...I know you're all on the edge of your seats...

 

Operation: Speak To CO - Day 4

It will no doubt come as a shock to most of you (it did to me!) to hear that I have indeed managed to speak to my CO!!!! She answered the phone without it ringing (Peach, you're right that really is spooky!).

 

She checked my file and said, ah yes...so you are in Australia right now? Erm, no! I've been back in the UK for a month and emailed you twice to confirm that! OK, well if you're no longer in Australia, then we can grant your visa as all conditions have been met! I should have an email in a couple of days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

She then said to let her know my travel plans so she could formally issue it when I had flight dates...just give me it now please!!!!

 

So...I waited until 4 months had passed, and I am 100% convinced calling for an update was the right thing to do. It was ready and waiting, but if I hadn't called, it would still be sitting ready until I did probably!

 

Thank you all so much for your support. It's been quite a journey...and as I've said to others here, it's really just beginning! The champagne is still on ice with the corks in until I get that email, but it really does look promising now!!

Bloomin hec GeorgeD, I was trying to read that post WAY too fast to find out your news! Its in the bag by the sound of it - so no more worrying and enjoy as you have your visa! Woohooo!

:hug:

Well it's now Day 3 of my Speak To My Case Officer Challenge...and so far I have a 100% record of leaving messages with no reply. And normal service was maintained...no reply.

 

I know you're all on the edge of your seats, lol, so I'll update again tomorrow...

You are so well humoured about it all. I would be going out of my mind!

Fingers crossed that Tomorrow Is The Day!:yes:

hahaha...that actually made me laugh Sharon. It's like the cliff hanger at the end of an EastEnders episode or something....you hear the do, do, do do do do music coming on and you have to wait till next week to find out what happens!!

Have my fingers crossed for you :hug:

Living up to your username:biggrin:. I am generally optimistic about things (I need to be to counter my wife's half empty glass), so I think this is an encouraging communication from the c/o.

 

Thanks for reply.

I generally aim to remain optimistic, though I have to say that DIAC have over the months tested this attribute I try to maintain:laugh:

Hope you find that this is good news for you.

Might it be that those periods you mention are slightly lacking in evidence on the relationship requirement? Perhaps they are thinking that you may be immediately eligible for the permanent visa, which is great news I would think!