Suzee

my husband's visa was granted today - subclass 100, CO was VF :biggrin:

Sorry Andy, can't help as I didn't actually notice that when filling out the form. So my answer is we didn't write anything!! Only submitted last month so guess there is a chance they could ask for further information but they haven't so far.

We didn't send any financial information at all, apart from a statement showing we had a joint bank account (although it didn't show the balance, luckily as there's not much in there!). They come come bank and asked for my UK citizenship certificate (as sponsor) but nothing about finances...yet...

We sent what I thought were significant photos where we could prove the date - eg photos from years ago when we looked significantly younger, photos of family members from each side together that were clearly taken years apart and holiday snaps with obvious backgrounds. I scanned 2 or 3 to a page and made reference to them in my statement. Also made sure we had some kind of evidence for each year we've been together which car insurance, house insurance, mortgate statements covered easily. We only sent 2 stat decs from friends (as we haven't told relatives yet!) but sent in a couple of wedding invitations addressed to us both, and postcards from friends/family addressed to both with a clear date stamp as to when they were posted. Not sure why I kept these things but they have come in handy. :biggrin:

I'm from Victoria and been in the UK for 13 years, acquiring a husband and a couple of kids along the way :wink:

The partner visa is for my British husband who has been to Oz before but not for more than 3 weeks at a time. Similar to Snifter, we are happy here but I am finding the long winters very difficult and really miss having my family near by (which I have only found since having the kids). The downside of that is moving away from his parents, who are likely to be gutted although hopefully not surprised. We see them for a weekend every 6 weeks or so and they dote on the grandkids....we are seeing them this weekend and will be telling them our plans....hope it goes ok.

Whilst I can't wait to go, we are in no particular hurry for the visa and will make plans about when to go later in the year once decisions about our current work situations are made. I really really hope my husband likes Australia (we are going to Melbourne) - it has been his decision to apply for the visa now, I have kept quiet about moving back as I wanted it to be his decision. But if it really doesn't work we can always move back (finances permitting!). I can't quite believe it's happening and think I'll feel a huge weight lifted once the visas is actually issued.

We have a case officer!! Have just had an email asking for 2 bits of further information (one is a question not filled out on the application form :embarrassed:)

and asking for health and character checks after 15/05/13.

Maxime Godrie - we are on a very similar timescale. Visa sent 14/02/13, money taken already (not sure when but just checked and it's gone!)

...and Nikocs too...

Hi Suzee, we will be submitting our application form on monday so the long journey awaits us both!!

 

Just wrapping a few loose ends up before we visit solicitors tomorrow for him to certify our docs etc but one quick question for anyone reading this post, do we need our statements of genuine relationship to be signed by solicitor (or other witness type) as well as our own signature & date?

 

..

Good luck to you msoks27! I feel such a relief and so excited to have sent it off, I'm not sure why as there's still such a long wait ahead.

We just signed our statements ourselves, no solicitor/witness...

Congratulations squarepusher :biggrin:

Application posted off today - let the waiting begin.....

They don't need an original copy of your passport/birth cert/marriage cert/etc...so why would you feel the need to send original tickets?

 

Photocopy/scan everything like that onto A4 paper...reduce the number of pages by putting a couple per page. Scan or print multiple photos per page...I reduced mine in size and put 4-6 per page. Your 'official' evidence like utility bills, council bills, bank account statements, etc are the strongest pieces of evidence...the other stuff helps finish off the picture, but nobody didn't get their visa approved because they didn't have the original flight ticket for a trip to Oz or a pic of the two of you at Auntie Mary';s 60th Birthday party. By all means include it, but keep it simple for your CO.

 

And what if the application is lost in the post??? You only need to send the original Police Check...send copies of everything else. Honestly, it won't make any difference that it isn't the original...they haven't asked for it to be an original!

Good point! I have condensed to as many pages as I can onto A4 so they should just be able to chuck it straight through the scanner. I will post it off today :cool:

I hope if I send off my application without payslips, they could always ask for them if required?

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks for the quick reply Snifter. I've been told the birth/marriage certificates need certifying but colour copies of the passports don't....so I have done that. I might include the original supporting docs (tickets etc) just incase.

But I still don't get the payslips - is it just to show he is able to support you? I'm the sponsor but not sure if I could dig up 2 years of payslips...

I am also ready to post off my husband's application :biggrin:

I've photocopied (in colour) all documents onto A4 paper as I read somewhere they have to scan it all....do you think this is ok or should I include the originals too? Also I've seen a few people mention payslips - have I missed something as I haven't seen anything specifically requesting them?

thanks in advance!