Brissybear

Just arrived !! To say I'm relieved is an understatement

I can imagine the pressure they are under. I first submitted on the 21st Nov. Then uploaded extra info on 25th. I stupidly uploaded a pleading cover note today but cant help feel that I've pushed an extra layer if beauracrasy onto my application. Would it be really unusual to have to wait from the 21st to past the 10th december for a visa of this kind?

I am in a whole mess around this. Have a family holiday booked from 10th Dec to 8th Jan in Brisbane. My agent advised when we were about to book that due to the length of time an RRV would take I would be better just going back on an e651 tourist visa. Now sounds like going back may completely remove my permanent residency status? He thinks it wont and says its quite common when perm residents who have travel period expired need to go back on very short notice. However now I am sitting with an e651 stuck at 'In Progress' despite giving them everything they came back and asked for. It looks like its not going to change anytime soon and my holiday will be ruined. Why cant visa processing places in Oz not operate outside office hours? Why cant you ever not be able to actually speak to someone who can help? The whole thing is putting me off going back .. not that I did (permanently) anyway but my partner is desperate to go and live there. The volume of work must be immense so why cant they provide a more humane system rather than sitting staring at your email 24 hours a day. Whats the longest anyone has ever waited on an e651? maybe thats a question for another thread Cheers BB

That's great to hear. I'm up on the Isle of Skye and do love it WHEN you can get outdoors and do stuff, especially fishing. But I just can't get Oz out my system, every day for 5 years I think about it constantly but it's my partner and her Dad that are really pushing for this now like I said earlier. I can see a lot of tears and heartbreak. If my company paid the going rate for my trade I would def put the brakes on. However the thought of taking my daughter to Southbank, Straddie, Moreton Island etc while I fish for bull sharks at night just beats everything. I think my partner will get a shock with the amount of rain in Brissy in summer, I don't even class it as summer as it just rains every day. The rest of the year is beautiful for the most part though. Also she will be stuck in Chelmer for a while and not being able to work I can see her getting bored even though her dad has a pool. Time will tell but there is no changing her mind.

Genuine question VS. Are you happier?

Thanks again. The problem with Glasgow was although we lived in a nice area there was still a lot of violence. My Dad lives in Govan and she saw someone get shot outside the house. I love Glasgow and it's no worse than anywhere else (no seriously) imo. I think I need to clarify we will be living with her Dad and her half sister. Her Dad is really driving this (and is loaded, he paid for our flights). Shipping we aren't taking anything other than suitcases. My partner is very confident she will get part of her divorce settlement in the next few weeks which is quite a bit of money but we don't want to fizzle it away. I lived in Brisbane for 5 years and was working within a week of arriving with my ex wife. I know this doesnt mean the same will happen again however I do have very good friends in the IT industry over there. The biggest dilemma is the step daughter. I believe we can get her on my visa as long as we have an official letter from a lawyer saying over 16 year old can choose who they want to live with. However I don't think she will as she is so wrapped up with this guy. I find it hard to even consider going and leaving her behind but as so many people have said, that's really up to her Mum I also have a daughter where I feel will have a much better life in Oz than here. In fact after Brexit or even worse independence, I reckon more and more youngsters will look to move away from the UK, especially Scotland. I've tried to weigh up the pro's and con's of just staying here but apart from being more expensive (the wages more than compensate for this though imo), Australia really is much, much better in every department than the UK. The 3 month holiday visa's could be our lifeline with my step daughter as she has agreed to come out after she has finished school. If we go offshore then hold back submitting the visa's until she has been herself and then she would have 5 years to decide. What we don't want is to be sitting skint in a few years in the same miserable grey place regretting that one chance we had as a family to be in a much better place with myself trying to support my 21 year old step daughter who has long finished with this current BF as well as my own daughter and partner.

Just reading the 40sp form there and it seems I have to prove I can financially support them as an obligation as a sponsor so during the holiday I will have to get a job which was essential anyway and provide payslips as evidence. So the plan is what I feared most she will have to submit both forms when she gets home which means a 12 to 15 month wait possibly until it's granted. The only saving grace is that an agent has confirmed they can travel out again during this period once the visas have been lodged. I know it might not take that long but Jesus I hope it comes as quick as it does for some people I've read on here.

Quick update. We are def going the offshore route. My partner thinks the form will be submitted before we go on holiday. Now does that allow her to travel on 3 month holiday visas while waiting on it being processed? Even at the border if she has return ticket and is honest saying she has applied offshore would she be okay?

@Bungo Cheers. I have confirmed with the missus that we are all on return tickets. The reason I have no money in the UK is because of the low wages I am on (due to location). However my partner is expecting some money from a divorce settlement but we can't rely on that. I have around 5K in credit cards that should tide me over until I get a job, preferably contracting. One of my best friends is a Test Manager in Brissy and he is confident he can get me out there in no time. I also left my last job on great terms however would prefer to get as much money asap. The market is also very buyount out there for my profession. We have decided on the offshore visa however I'm not 100% if my partner can still come on a 3 month holiday (her dad will look after her until I get work) or does offshore mean she has to stay in the UK until the visa is granted. I thought that 16-18 year old's need permission from both parents or a court order to get on the visa? We could definitely talk her into it and she will come out to validate it. It's her Dad I feel bad for although she will be gone wherever her bf is regardless, maybe not the other side of the world though.

Sorry I should have said 'Applicant ID Number or Transaction Reference Number (TRN)'. I don't have any of these or don't know where to find them? Sorry from another thread. When I go on the official site all I get is the VERCO app which seems fine however the problem I have is I no longer have any documents relating to when my PR was granted back in 2012. Would I just phone Australia house in London with my passport number? Many thanks Jamie

Thanks. The stress is unbearable. X

The only way we can get our hands on 7K is if her money comes in before Jan 28 we just don't have it. One thing I cant seem to find on the official visa site is would she be able to come and go while waiting on an offshore spouse visa? For example could she still get a 3 month tourist visa? Anyway the Glasgow thing lol. It was more the people she was afraid of. We lived next to a park and there were often running battles with gangs and she even witnessed a shooting. She has been to Brisbane before (her Dad and half sister live there) and loves it. The only thing is she was there in winter and she is in for a shock arriving in summer because in the 5 years I lived in Brissy it rained (or felt like) it rained every single day from Jan up to the end of March.

Sorry I should have said 'Applicant ID Number or Transaction Reference Number (TRN)'. I don't have any of these or don't know where to find them?

Sorry feel as if I'm clogging this place up today. I tried for ages last night to find out the exact date when my right to return expires. I know it's Feb however not sure of the exact date. I kept getting told of this VEVCO however it requires information I no longer have like a business number? Is there a way you can just put your passport number in and find out? Even calling Australia house in london? Unfortunately I have lost all the relevant documents that I was given when my PR was granted and chose that it be added electronically on my passport. Again, any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks Snifter, especially the PM. The biggest issue we have is MONEY :-((. If I had the 7K to lodge the visa form just now I would. My partner has been going through a divorce for about 5 years and at last has reached some sort of settlement that might, just might get us the money to apply offshore before we leave. Yes they are on return tickets but I'm on a 1 way, bit suspicious maybe? I would love to get an agent all over this but again we have no money just now. Her dad has paid for the flights and luckily I have a good friend who could get me into contracting again. This was the original plan. But atm we literally have no money come the end of the month. My partner will not consider Glasgow as we tried that and as a Highland girl she found it terrifying. She is very close to her Dad who is getting older and really doesn't want to miss this opportunity. Her adult son is moving there as well as an engineer when he graduates so all roads point down under. We live on the isle of Skye which is beautiful and has a lot for me but she hates it and winter here is brutal. So it really is now or never. The killer with these visa's is paying up front. I mean even if they let you pay in installments would be a huge help. Anyway I'm rambling I guess we just go but I think the offshore visa is best option. Ultimately I will be stuck and unable to travel due to not meeting RRV requirements although I do believe after around 6 months with a job, house etc I should be ok for short term RRV that would allow me to travel back and see my daughter. Many thanks x Btw the student visa wouldnt be until my stepdaughter was ready, which may be never or until she is well over 18.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still confused though. How does my partner apply for an 'onshore' visa if she is not in Oz. Do you just tell them at customs she's not a tourist and is here to apply for residency? Also my partners dad has booked her a 3 month return flight so technically she wouldn't be able to apply offshore until she was back in the UK adding possibly 12 months to the whole process. I couldn't go 3 weeks without seeing my daughter never mind 3 -6 months at a time, she is only 3. As for getting the stepdaughter on the visa as she is under 18 she needs permission from her Dad and he wouldn't do it in a million years and I don't blame him. Plus she will not leave her BF and follow him around wherever he goes until it fizzles out but she chose to live near her BF rather than live with her Mum which personally I couldn't believe. To put things into perspective we are in the Highlands, I work in IT and have managed to get a job, but it's incredibly stressful and they are paying me a pittance (<24k) where I could earn double that in any other major UK city and much, much more in Oz. I guess what I need to clarify is that can my partner apply for an offshore visa while she is on her 3 month holiday in Oz? If not then I think I will need to pull the plug as I just couldn't be stuck out in Oz with my right to return expired waiting on them lodging it etc.

Apologies think I've posted this before. long story short my right to return (PR) runs out in Feb (how do you find out exact date btw?). Myself, my partner and my 3 year old daughter arrive in Brisbane on the 28th Jan. My partner and daughter will just be on a 3 month holiday visa as we are going to apply for the onshore visa for them when we get there. The massive issue is my step daughter. She is 16 be 17 in June next year. Her life revolves around her bf and has chosen to live with her dad for the last 2 years. Ive been told that once my partners visa has been submitted she has the right to go back and forward until the visa is about to be granted. Here is my main question? How do we get our step daughter or partners daughter over to Oz if she is under 18 and changes her mind ? Could she come on a student visa for example under the age of 18 or does she have to wait until she is 18? My partners dad is an Oz citizen and she has a half sister there. I don't want to lie to my step daughter and frankly it will break our hearts, I'm not convinced her mum can do it but she is desperate to get out of the UK as financially it's a mess for both of us. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated X

Thanks. In general after she has lodged her visa in Oz would she be able to travel freely in and out of Oz as long as she lets her case officer know? Or will she need another visa to go home and see her daughter ?

Sorry if this seems silly but what is the exact name of the visa I should be applying for if onshore ? Is it partner visa 802 subclass 801? So will my partner be able to travel in and out of Oz once the visa is lodged in Oz or does she need a special visa to leave to visit her daughter?

Thanks for all the replies. We are both in UK. I have a job back in Oz but missus doesn't want to apply onshore because of the stepdaughter. I don't think I can cope leaving my 3 year old behind for the 12 months plus it would take. I think I will speak to her today about applying onshore. Her daughter lives on the other side of the country and chose to live with her dad to be near her BF. i can't live my life around her love life it's onshore or nothing.

Sorry I'll keep this short. My PR runs out Feb and have been with my partner 5 years and we have a 3 year old. Due to having a step daughter we have had to leave this to the end. I could be back in Oz in less than 2 months due to being offered a job. However we are going to apply for 309 I think spouse visa. This mans I could be out in Oz for 12 months with my family here. The problem is money but her dad lives there and I am going to try give him 1k a month to pay for their Spouse/dependant visa. Im luck I have friends in Brissy so will be living relatively cheaply. The thinking behind my missus applying outside Oz means that by time visa arrives her stepdaughter will be much older. She lives her life for her BF I can't. my missus has promised to come over on 2 3 month visas at least next year plus she is coming in October. the just of the story though is I genuinely don't think I can spend so long apart from my 3 year old. I'm thinking of pulling the plug but my missus sees it as a chance of a lifetime. Any dads or mums had to spend so much time apart from their kids especially toddlers. I know time goes quick but not that quick. btw she can still come on holiday visas while applying offshore? Anyway g'day everyone

Thanks for all the advice. I think my post last night was made in a fog of depression. My work is in IT (test Analyst) and unfortunately there are no jobs up there for me. I have looked at moving to Skye as there is plenty of work in the summer doing seasonal stuff in hospitality. Its also worth pointing out that I am completely frazzled or burnt out with what I do for a living but In the winter months up in Skye there would be no work and she would probably take my daughter away to Australia for 3 months or longer (in winter) on those holiday visa's her dad has a nack of sorting these things out. He left all his kids (including my ex) to go to Oz when they were young. He's a very selfish man though and has a daughter at 15 (he's in his 60's) and when me and my ex wife separated in Oz he tried to date her etc it was disgusting. He also said some disgusting things about my mum who was a manic depressive and drank herself to death. I read this on her phone and in anger have promised (and I will) pull him up for it in front of his daughter so no favours there. I have a PR visa but runs out in Feb 2017 but have been told you can reapply when it has expired for RRV as long as kids have been involved. How does it stand with the law as my sister in law is a social worker and she thinks that if my ex wanted to take my daughter to Oz for 3 to 6 months then a court could allow it. I was under the impression that it would need my consent? Its a tough one because If I move to Skye and I do need more money to do even do this or and a job. My wages will be crap to what I am on. I could be giving up a career as well and left alone in Skye for the winter. In Oz I have loads of friends and better job options but I reckon it would be worse. You can move on from a relationship but not from your kid. I'll put my CV into an agency up there you never know I might get offered an all year round job in some bank or something. My current company are thinking of sending me to Edinburgh which will make matters worse but I suppose the only way I can get to Skye is through holidays. Would a court not enforce some sort of compromise where she would have to bring my daughter down here instead of me going up there all the time. I cant emphasise what a bad driver i am but need to conquer this. Thanks for all the replies much appreciated. x

Hi folks ill try and keep this as brief as possible. I had been posting in another thread about taking our step daughter to Oz and realised it was too complex. But I can't feel karma has caught up with me as me and my ex split up a few months ago and she has moved back to the Isle of Skye with my 2 year old daughter. She never settled in glasgow and I took on a job that was too stressful to chase money. I kind of neglected her and boom before I knew it she left and took my 2 year old daughter with her. Now it's one thing getting over a relationship but not seeing my daughter is killing me. I finally get to see her this weekend but after that it's up to me to drive up from glasgow to see her. if anyone knows Scotland trying to hold a job down and get to see your daughter at weekends in the Isle of Skye isn't going to be easy it's borderline impossible. i've lost two jobs already tried antidepressants from the doctor but they just made me feel worse. The thing is I'm totally lost without my daughter and fuel I'm getting worse and worse. My exes dad lives in Australia and also offers to pay for her to go over For 3 months every year. I'm at the stage where I'm thinking of going back to Oz as I just can't cope with her living so far away right at the top of Skye. I just don't think I'll be able to move on with my life. I am giving serious thought to returning to Oz at least for a year as I'm not getting any better being stuck in Glasgow with my depression getting worse. I've already lost 2 jobs because I couldn't concentrate and my performance suffered. It's about an 8 hour drive and virtually impossible in winter and just feel the journey combined with having to say goodbye will kill me. My driving is terrible as well I'm no good on motorways etc. UK law sucks and I could never get her for the holidays etc she would just scream for her mum anyway. I was told that taking some time out and going back will help as long as you keep in touch with her and she won't be 2 forever. There is also the 3 month holidays that she will def take up with her dad. if I got a contracting job I could go back once or twice a year. I just don't know if it would make it worse though? Has anyone ever been in a similar situation and did it help?? X

Is this an option ? Would it not cost a fortune to do this and will she have a chance of getting residency on a student visa after x amount of time x

Hi guys sorry pretty sure I asked this before but this October I am going to apply for my partner and daughter to come to Oz on subclass 306 partner visa. We hope to be back In Oz next year however it seems my stepdaughter who is desperate to come can't without either her dads permission or a court order? I am surprised about that because she is 16 and can get married etc in the UK surely she would only need a letter from a lawyer in this country explaining how legally she has the right to choose where she lives surely? There is no chance her dad will agree and frankly I don't blame him. However my daughter comes first and work here is grim we are struggling compared to Oz . What does a court order entail while my step daughter have to go to court and decide in front of her dad and judge? The only other option otherwise we have is just apply then pay for a working years holiday for her out there which can easily last 2 years. She he also has a boyfriend and got a feeling she will follow him everywhere. I know this sounds so selfish but my right to return expires in 2017 or I would wait until she was in her 20's. :-((