bma

We applied in June 2017 and only received citizenship in March 2019. I'm sure it won't be long... All the best!

Jimmy2621 and others who are still waiting, an update for the 2017's Three friends (2 from QLD and 1 in NSW) applied for citizenship on 6 June 2017. QLD friend #1 timeline: Application online : 6 June 2017 Acknowledgement by email : 6 June 2017 Request for additional documents: 6 November 2017 Citizenship Appointment Letter Received : 23 November 2017 Citizenship Interview & Test Date : 6 December 2017 Citizenship Approved: 27 February 2018 Ceremony: 16 May 2018 QLD friend #2 timeline: same but without a request for extra documents (approved in Feb 2018) NSW friend #3 Application online : 6 June 2017 Acknowledgement by email : 6 June 2017 Citizenship Interview & Test Date : 4 July 2018 (yes, 13 months after applying) Approved sometime in the last 14 days (March 2019), the status online changed from received to approved. No letter for the ceremony yet, but that can take up to six months. So, from date of applying to approved, a year and eight months. In the first two cases, the online status never changed from received to approved - after the ceremony, it changed into finalised or something like that, but nothing in between. But for friend number 3, it did change from received to approved. All the best to everyone!!!

Thanks!! Will do.

Thank you!!! What number would you recommend calling? Just their general number? 1300 or something (I'd have to look it up). Thanks heaps!!

Hi guys Successfully passed the test in the beginning of July 2018. All quiet since then. Is this normal? Who do we call to inquire? Thanks in advance!

Register with VEVO http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/vevo.htm and check.

May I ask how long is your mum's visa valid for and does she have a No Further Stay imposed? I thank you in advance for your reply.

Ditch that tax accountant who told you that you can't lodge your tax return until you're a PR. What nonsense, these "professionals" should be responsible for their bad advices. I do my tax return myself, but the stories I hear from my co-workers who pay to get their tax return done.... So many wrong advice and really basic ones, from not naming a spouse as dependent for tax purposes (saying it can't be done, but it's not true), to not claiming work-related deductions (saying that can't be claimed, not true), if I name just a couple most common ones... And my co-workers pay a lot of money to those tax accountants doing their tax return; unbelievable, really. :mad:

What your partner does for living isn't important in case of WHV, as the main reason for coming to Australia should be holiday. More information at the following website: http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/49awhp.htm As the others said, it looks like your best plan is to go to Australia together, you on your visa and she on her WHV, then live together, get the necessary evidence and apply for a suitable visa for her. I'm not sure whether she could be added to your visa, you might need to go down via partner visa route, but that's not really that important; what matters is you going to Australia together, live together and get the necessary evidence.

My partner entered on an eVisitor, because we simply didn't have time to think everything through and applying for some other visa would be just too stressful. Two weeks before those first 3 months expired, we applied for a partner visa onshore; it was simply the easiest solution in that moment (and we really didn't want to be apart). But you know that eVisitor is a 12-month visa, with each stay up to 3 months max? You can go out of Australia for a week and come back, but usually the immigration stops you at the border, apparently asking questions if you work, what are you doing in Australia etc... At least that's what I read on the forum.

My partner and I were looking for a longer tourist visa than an eVisitor, too. We had no idea whether we'd be applying onshore or offshore, we just wanted a longer stay in Australia, because I as a sponsor needed to be in Australia. Then a migration agent explained to us than a 12-month 676 often comes with NFS condition. We wanted to keep our options open, so we decided not to complicate and we applied for an eVisitor instead. Also, I've read on this forum many times how (future 820 applicants) changed their eVisitor to a longer tourist visa and still didn't get a NFS. In my humble opinion I'd say the risk about getting a NFS imposed onshore is probably about the same... So extending/changing your eVisitor onshore is also an option. Please, have in mind all my opinion is based on my personal experience. I'm not a migration agent and if in doubt, do contact a respectable registered migration, even if just for an advice. That's what I did, cause I wasn't sure about the plan...

I remember seeing heaps of posts, talking about registering a relationship in VIC, but I didn't save them ... http://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/home/relationships/register+a+relationship/ The website says: Who can register a domestic relationship? You and your partner can register a domestic relationship if: you are both 18 years of age or older and are in a registrable relationship you can both prove that you are ordinarily resident in Victoria, and neither of you is: married; or in a relationship that is already registered; or in another relationship that could be registered in Victoria. And in the form itself says (http://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/resources/bce0e881-9e2e-4390-975e-b0afd3bee6c8/domesticrelationship_applytoregister.pdf ) : 25. Each applicant must provide four identity documents, one from each list below. LIST 1 - Evidence of right to be in Australia Birth certificate issued in Australia Australian citizenship certificate Australian visa/s in overseas passport* Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) official statement* Certificate of Resident Status (CERS)* Current New Zealand passport* * If you provide this document you may be asked to provide additional evidence of your right to have resided in Australia over the past 12 months. It looks like here you could face some problems... I don't know, I'd post a new question (in a separate thread) and ask about registering a relationship in VIC - would it be possible based on your documents (bank statements proving the address, tourist visa/eVisitor, ...) I'm sorry I can't help you more with this...

So let's say that July 2011 your relationship turned into a de facto one, which means you've been together for a year and 9 months. What kind of evidence do you have for the period from March 2012 on? Remember, you need evidence in all 4 categories, for every month and evidence on maintaining the relationship while physically apart. Do I understand correctly that you've been receiving all this time (from March 2012) bank statements to his address? If yes, then it looks like you'll be able to register your relationship while you're there (in the next four weeks). Check what documents you need to register your relationship, could be that your VIC driving licence and your VIC bank statements will be enough. Wouldn't that be marvelous? Because then you wouldn't need another 12 months, a simple eVisitor would be enough and you could apply for a partner visa shortly before your first three months on a eVisitor expire...

You have to open a new thread and post your question again. Posting under the existing thread with a completely different topic (partner visa) probably won't bring an answer to your questions. All the best.

On what visa are you going to see him in 3 weeks? An eVisitor? You've been apart for quite some time. Can you prove you're still de facto partners, just living apart due to circumstances? Do you have evidence that you're maintaining your relationship? When you go to see him in 3 weeks, how long are you staying? While you're in Australia, put your name next to his on every possible house bill (if possible), he could name you as a nominated driver on his car insurance policy (no price change if above 25 yo), he could name you as his superannuation beneficiary, open a joint bank account and (of course) give his address as your address, get a library card and give his address, get a second flybuy card, Woolworths awards card, everything possible ... You could buy something on the internet (ebay for example) and get it delivered to yourself to his address... Be creative with the evidence. If you're genuine, there will be heaps of opportunities to get paper evidence (movie tickets, concert tickets, dockets from the store, ...). Then when you return home, maintain your relationship, so you'll be able to prove with the evidence you were in the relationship at the time of (physical) separation. Don't forget: if you intend to apply for a de facto partner visa sometime in the future, you'll need the evidence in all 4 categories for every month of the last 12 months prior to applying (if more, even better). Try to put/add your name wherever possible. You're probably aware that registering your relationship serves as a waiver for the 12-month relationship (living together) requirement for the de facto partner application. Based on the information you provided, I don't think you'll be able to register your relationship yet. But, if you manage to put your name on the bills, get a joint account and then save those monthly statements, that should be enough to register your relationship in a year time (cause you have to reside in VIC for a year in order to register your relationship). Of course, if you plan to apply sooner, this then isn't an option. A word about 676 visa... I've been told by a migration agent that tourist visas that are longer than 6 months often come with a risk of having a No Further Stay imposed. So perhaps a simple eVisitor might be a better solution (for 3 months only, as you could face problems on the border if leaving and coming back to AU more often). Think about all your options, go through your existing and future evidence and then make a decision. Certainly don't rush with applying for a 676, better explore all the options first.

This is automatic. Every ONSHORE applicant for a partner visa gets granted a bridging visa A without any work or study restrictions (since the end of November 2012). The only thing is the original visa needs to expire first, in case of an eVisitor that is after three months. Considering it doesn't look good if somebody applies for a partner visa straight after coming back to Australia anyway, waiting three months to apply and then get a bridging visa in a week or two shouldn't be a problem. Emily, when did you return to UK? This physical separation shouldn't be a problem, but you need to prove with evidence you two were still in a de facto relationship during this separation. Check the Partner Migration booklet, check the threads on this forum to see what evidence you need. You need to convince the immigration you didn't actually break up when you went back to UK. Also, if you intend to apply for a de facto visa, you will need the proper evidence in all for categories for every month of the past 12 months. You can waive that condition by registering your relationship in Australia. The booklet clearly states you have to have been in the relationship for twelve months before applying, and then the booklet also says you have to live together on the permanent basis, that is why this 12-month cohabitation. A one month physical separation due to visa conditions shouldn't present a problem, as long you have evidence you maintained the relationship in that time. Based on the evidence you have you decide on the best plan for you - 309 offshore visa application or 820 onshore visa application. If you decide for 820, your eVisitor can't have a No Further Stay condition; you need to be a true tourist/visitor (visiting friends, family, a partner is allowed), and it's probably best you apply for a partner visa towards the end of the (first) three months in Australia, shortly before the 3-month stay expires. When to apply and where depends on your evidence. All the best.

Some ideas: - Coles flybuys - Woolworths Everyday rewards - Concert tickets, bought over the web - Movie tickets (you just save them) - any other tickets (ok, it's not membership, but still) - surf clubs, sport clubs and similar clubs, where you have to fill out a special form with the name and address for entry; save those "tickets" - put each other as nominated drivers on your car insurance policies - put each other as superannuation beneficiaries - wills - Telstra, Vodafone... the holder for a certain phone number can authorise the other for all regarding the account (it goes in their database, it can be printed) - doctors, GP, dentist ... put each other as contacts with your doctors... Where else, hm... Well, that's all I could remember for now...

It's like getting married in WA and then moving to VIC... no problem in my humble opinion. I'm not a migration agent, but just somebody who went through this process myself and our case wasn't exactly like yours. My partner came to Australia on a visa similar to ETA, with the one way ticket only. He had future flights booked (and those tickets were non-refundable :mad:), but nobody at the border knew that and nobody asked him anything. But it was his first time in Australia, and we were through the border in a minute... And through luggage control in half a minute... But your partner already spent a certain amount of time in Australia, so he could be grilled a bit more at the border. If questioned, he needs to demonstrate he has enough funds to buy a ticket out of Australia when he decides to leave. I wouldn't mention applying onshore for a partner visa to the border officers, I don't know, to me it sounds like breaching tourist/visitor visa conditions... Definitely. Get the statements from your parents, they can fill out the form 888 or write their own statement. We had a similar situation except the landlord wasn't a relative, and she wrote a Stat Dec, explaining when were we living at her place, who was paying the bills etc... All the best

Applying for 820 partner visa on ETA is not a problem, the problem could be entering Australia on ETA with the intention of staying. Your partner needs to be a genuine tourist/visitor, but if later (during his tourist stay in Australia) he decides to stay and apply for a partner visa ... well, that's a different matter. So be careful, he can't really have tons of luggage and work tools with him when flying to Australia on ETA. He needs to check the conditions on his ETA once it's granted, though. Due to his extended (WHV) stay in Australia, ho could receive a No Further Stay as one of his ETA conditions. Not likely, but can happen. About lifting the bridging visa conditions... there's no need to. Since the end of November 2012 the applicants who applied for a partner visa onshore get a bridging visa A without any work or study restrictions. Assuming his ETA has no NFS and he applies for his partner visa before his 3-month stay expires, he'd be able to work as soon as the bridging visa A kicks in (after three months). If you're applying for a de facto partner visa, don't forget you need the evidence in all four categories for all 12 months prior to applying. All the best!

If I understand correctly, you'll be flying to Australia on a 12 month 676 visa. What are conditions of your visa, do you have a No Further Stay condition imposed?

If I understand correctly, your 5-year RRV is about to expire, but you only spent a year out of the last five years in Australia. And you want to know, whether you can continue living in Australia without applying for a new RRV, and then when you reach 2 years out of the last 5 years, you'd apply for a new RRV? Is that what you meant? In that case, the answer is yes; you only need a RRV to cross the Australian border (to leave and come back as a permanent resident). If you don't plan to travel any time soon, you don't have to apply for a RRV and you can wait until you have lived in Australia for two years in the last five. If you need to travel soon and you apply for a RRV, you'll get a one year RRV.

Your plan is not as simple as it may seem to you. You've already applied for a PMV and your application is being processed. For your PMV you needed such and such evidence and all good - you have the evidence. The Partner Migration booklet says that if you marry your fiance before you are granted a PMV, you can change your application to a partner visa at no extra charge. But, don't forget your application will now be assessed as a partner visa application, which means you need to have evidence in all four categories: - financial aspects; - the nature of the household; - social context of the relationship; - the nature of your commitment to each other. Do you have enough evidence to prove your relationship and in all four categories? If yes, than you can change your plan if necessary and change your application into a partner one onshore, after getting married. Current processing time is around 13 months, and once your tourist visa expires, you'd be automatically granted a bridging visa A with full work and study rights. That's how I see your situation, but please have in mind I'm not a migration agent, but just a forum user.

If you want to spend two years in Australia and then go abroad, just be careful you have those two years in the last five years. I don't know how they count the time spent in Australia, whether in months or days, but better spend a couple of weeks more in Australia than have a few days missing. When does your permanent residence "expire"??? Be careful to apply for your RRV before that "must not arrive after" date. You can come back to Australia on the last days of your RRV if you want to (towards the end of those five years), but then you'll have to spend two years in Australia without the exit (two years in the last five years) in order to get another five-year RRV.

Do you have enough evidence to prove your relationship is genuine, exclusive and continuing? You'll be applying for a partner visa (based on marriage) and you need to have evidence in four categories: 1. financial aspects; 2. the nature of the household; 3. social context of the relationship; 4. the nature of your commitment to each other. More information about the evidence and the process itself: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/books1.htm Also make sure that you tourist visa has NO No Further Stay Condition. If there is No Further Stay Condition on your visa, you won't be able to apply for a partner visa in Australia (but would have to do that in your home country). To apply for a partner visa about two weeks before your tourist visa expires is fine; you'll probably send your application by mail, and two weeks is plenty of time. About a week after your application is received, you'll be sent an acknowledgment letter. Your bridging visa A will kick in automatically when your tourist visa expires (after three months).

Unfortunately it's not that simple. For a five-year RRV you must have spent two of the last five years in Australia as a permanent resident. It's always two years within the last five years prior to applying for a RRV. That means that if you accumulate those two years now, but then decide to leave for more than three years, those first months won't count anymore - and you won't be eligible for a five-year RRV. More about RRV: http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/residents/155/eligibility.htm