Anna333

Congrats Dave, that must finally be such a relief for you!

I've now exited the UK, although due to our plane being broken it took 26 hours before we actually could take off (hotel stay etc). Bit of a pain, but we're thinking of the compensation and now comfortable in LA for 2 weeks before onwards to Melbourne!

when did they ask for the extra stuff? was it at the beginning when you submitted, or closer to the grant date? We're married 12 yrs and have 5 kids, so no doubt as to being a 'genuine relationship'. Just curious though that every one just sends their stuff off and gets an email saying all is fine, it will be granted in 6-9 months. If they can say it 'will be granted', why not just grant it? (teehee guess who hates waiting?)

As soon as you have a case officer assigned at the beginning of the process they will ask for additional evidence, if required, and for you to go for police check and medical - they cash the cheque around the same time.

The email never states that 'you will be granted', just that you will 'have a response'. So whilst there is no guarantee, I think most of us spouse are pretty confident in the validity of our relationships, as you are too. They delay the grant so that they only process a certain amount of people a year. There must be more applications these days as the response time is gradually increasing all the time.

Glad that it seem pr is likely straight off! We have been together 7 years, married 2 and have a 10 month old. And my Aussie husband has been granted pr status in the uk as my spouse so hoping all this goes in our favour of a smooth application?? Haven't started form filling yet though. Seems like such a mountain of evidence required when it's quite obvious we are a real couple!

Sounds very similar to my case - together 9 years, married 2, 1 year old. Got a permanent visa straight off. Sounds like you'd be a likely candidate too.

Don't stress about the evidence. I missed out some evidence and they simply requested specific extra stuff from me, no worries. Good luck!

Today is the last day I can wait before making flight changes or applying for a tourist visa.

 

Haven't been many grants recently - 5 or 6 people were skipped for Wardie's grant. Unless its a bit out of date. Certainly myself and Lhigman. Hopefully today is the day.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone else! :biggrin:

Good luck DaveS! Fingers firmly crossed!

VISA GRANTED THIS MORNING!!! YAY!!!

 

Good luck to all those waiting.

Congrats Wardie77! Now we just need DaveS to get granted and I think AB can take a short vacation!

I'm sure he will Wardie77! I think the most nerve raking thing about moving so far has been getting the visa granted. Despite having less than 2 weeks to go, still at work and loads of stuff still to do, I'm more relaxed now than when I was waiting on my visa.

Hey Dave S and Wardie77,

Good luck, can't be much longer till AB grants you both?! Have you passed the 5 month mark now?

I can confirm that I have now received my subclass 100 visa! CO (AB) assigned 13th Feb 2012, so almost a full 6 months to process.

Now to book the flights and container, sell the house and the car, and to manage all this when we're working, no free weekends and leaving in under 4 weeks... stress much?!! Happy stress though

Today's meant to be the day, keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hello Anna,

 

forgive me for probably being out of the loop, but how long is it since you submitted your application? Bet you are sooooooooooo excited!!

 

C:)

Hey Charleysmum,

I got a CO assigned on 13th Feb, so if it comes through Wed as I've been told it'll have taken just under 6 months, I was given 5-6 months process time. I recon they may have held off because I will officially be married 2 years tomorrow so I'd imagine the paperwork for a permanent visa is much simpler if you are over 2 years, rather than just under. All speculation though!!

Thanks for your other post about flights. We're in a similar situation with 2 adults and a 1 yr old. We need to stop over in Dubai to see friends/family (at the loss of extra baggage for me!). This will somewhat limit our choices. Flying out of Manch or Glasg and into Melbourne.

Now for me to find a new thread to post on. So nice to be coming out the end of this process after so many months waiting. Good luck all!

Has anyone just started applying for their Spouse visa???

 

I am just going through my application getting my paperwork organised so i am all prepared.

 

Me and my husband (who is australian) only got married 5 weeks ago, weve been in a long distant relationship for what now seems like ages!! We first met in March 2009 and I cant wait to get out there again now to live with him again instead of back and forth around the world!!!!!

I know ill have to wait a while, but can anyone give me any advice on how long it takes for the visa to process and any tips you can give me whilst I'm going through this!

 

I'd be so grateful!

 

Thank you!

 

Laura

Hi Laura,

It looks like since the new Australian financial year the spouse visas are estimated to take 6-8 months. I think the key thing is to add as much solid evidence as you can to your application. If you are lacking in it your case officer will ask for more (mine asked for a couple extra bills). It takes a while to get copies of everything but I guess this is what they base the decision on. Once you've submitted your application you will then be asked to go for a medical and get a police check - no need to do this beforehand.

Good luck, I hope you're successful!

Congrats Anna. Good job on calling AB. What was he like on the phone?

Thanks everyone!

AB was soooo lovely. First apologised for not answering because he was at lunch. I was thanking him for getting back so fast and with all the info I wanted and he was saying not a problem, didn't seem like he minded. However I have to stress that's the second contact I've ever made with him and never by phone until now. I guess it's not speeded the process up by pestering but it was worth it for peace of mind (or sanity!). I would say a phone call after 5 months and some days for a sanity check worth it. Now to find out if my hubby's got a job for sure and start date so we know which way and how long we have to get to Oz, exciting times!

I'll be keeping posted on this thread to see how the other AB applicants get on now... Good luck and hope you don't need to wait as long.

AB just called back, said my permanent visa was going very well and he'd get it finalised on Wednesday!

Background for permanent visa... will be married 2 years on Sunday, been together for almost 9 years. Living in UK together for 6 years, bought house together 5 years ago. Baby just over a year ago. Maybe the delay on the visa for me was to be officially married more than 2 years, who knows. All I know is it's flipping great news!

AB was lovely to speak to, however I think I could be bias. I'll keep you posted Wednesday!

Thanks everyone... v2oicemail left, lets hope I get a quick response!

Anna - we booked through IOM - apparently its advertised on your visa grant.

 

Its a weird service but it works. We are flying London > Sydney with Malaysia for £1085. 2 Adults & a baby.

They also double the baggage allowance.

 

There is more information about IOM on this forum somewhere...

 

Dave

We're 2 adults and a baby too so I like the sound of double baggage allowance. Depending if a job comes through for OH we may do 3 weeks touring America on the way. Plan B is stopover in Dubai to visit family and friends... anyone know if Emirates do double baggage allowance?

I say you... DaveS CO (AB) seems a little slower on granting... sorry Dave... although I have the same CO as you...

I think the more interesting bet would be who gets granted first - me or DaveS... I've emailed AB once (never phoned)... lets see if it pays to pester!

From reading this it seems that you get sent an email as opposed to receiving something in the post?? Do you get a posted letter to confirm or something?

what has happened to Anna333??? Anyone know... she should have got her visa by now.

Hey Wardie,

I just got back from holiday yesterday, hoping for some wonderful post to await my return... alas it was not to be. STILL waiting!!

13th Feb AB assigned as CO for those not in the know. Some CO's may be processing March, but not this one.

The plus side is my son got his Australian passport - we only applied for this last Monday. Only 3 weeks till hubby and I stop work, still not booked flights. Hoping to fly Sept, but god knows what price they'll be this last minute!

I haven't been that bad!!! :-)

I think it has been 15 emails, no calls as yet but I will be putting in my first call on the 26th August at the 5 month mark.

Ha ha, and I was feeling bad for emailing him for my second ever time last week to follow up a week after the 5 month mark had passed! The first email was to confirm he had everything he required. Didn't have anything as of Wednesday, on holidays now so can't check till Thursday - glad that I can't watch the post like a hawk for a week anyway!

11 days and counting since the 5 month mark passed... now I'm beginning to worry. Seems like everyone else is getting there's granted by this stage. You never hear of the ones that don't get it granted. Hope all my paperwork was in order!

Hey I've just had the same response from AB saying they're 'not in a position to be able to finalise your visa application' and the wait is still 5-6 months.

Ok, just 3 more weeks of waiting, I can't complain (well, as long as it's the news I'm after)!

Hi,

 

I have been reading this forum for a while but thought I would let you know what my case officer VF sent me today.

 

Processing times have extended to between 6 - 8 months from date of application lodgement due to a smaller amount of visa places being offered in the current Australian financial year.

 

My stats are:

App lodged: 20/4/2012

Meds done a few days later

told had verything they needed on 25/5/2012.

and now it seems I may be lucky to be Oz in time for Christmas.

 

Lets hope it doesn't take anywhere near this long.

Oh nooo! We're planning to leave in Sept so I guess if it's up to 7 months then we'll be ok but 8 months is taking the biscuit... hoping to hear back from my CO (AB) soon with some positive news.

Hi Anna, We have the same CO and I would suggest emailing/ calling him. He is very nice and should be able to help move things a long.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the push wardie, I've just emailed him now. Fingers crossed for some positive news soon!

no joy yet Anna?

No not yet...

I haven't been in touch with my CO at all apart from confirming receipt of all additional documentation requested on 20th March. I do wonder if it pays to pester them a bit!

I don't want to bug him but I would love to get the visa through closer to the 5 month stage than 6...

And congrats to all of those recently granted.

My application was received on 13th Feb 2012 and was told by AB, London that I'd have a response in 5-6 months. I just hope that it is my lucky Friday 13th this week! Can't wait to get the visa so we can book flights and finally feel like we're moving continents in 2 months!