Hoddie32

Not sure if this will get anything changed, but worth a try... Change.org petition - Australian Citizenship Eligibility Changes April 2017

Sorry! Was unaware. Thanks for the tip and edit

Sorry, only just read through the whole grant and at the bottom it says: Gxxxxxx Position Number: 00001523VIC Partner (Temporary) Processing I'm guessing that might be my CO?

Thank you! I never had a CO, just got a grant straight away. Was such a shock! I did my health checks and police checks at the time of application so I'm guessing no further info was needed

Hey not sure this is the best place to post this as I'm an onshore applicant but though I'd share my GRANT NOTICE! I've been crying with happiness since this morning when I received my grant notice. Wasn't expecting a grant for another 6 months. Applied Online, onshore on 26th April 2015. Partner Temp 820 Granted 21st December 2015, just under 8 months. Originally from UK no PMV. So happy. In the words of my partner "It's a Christmas miracle!" Hoping that means more grants for everyone else!

So sorry to here about your father in law. I recently had to go back to the UK for my grandmas funeral so I can understand what a tough time it is. It makes it so much harder coming back to Australia when you've gone back, especially for a reason like this. You think about how it would have been different if you had been there. However there are reasons you moved and I guess you just have to decide whether those reasons are still strong enough for you to stay. For me its not just about a tan. Its about being able to go outside and live an active lifestyle in good weather. The morning runs, the cycling to work, the walks, hikes and camping trips that aren't dampened by bad weather. Its hard in the bad times to be away from your family but worst comes to worst, your 24 hours away. I always make sure I've got some money stashed away just in case of a last minute flight and it seems to give me some peace of mind. I hope you and your family get through this and manage to make a decision. I always try and remember that staying here or moving back doesn't have to be forever.

Thanks guys! Maybe I am just being a bit too honest about the visa situation! I've already had to leave one job and looking for another so maybe a little white lie isn't too bad

Hey, Not sure if there is a similar thread and someone could link me. Just thought I'd try contact any fellow 820 applicants and get an idea of when visa grants are coming through and chat to people in a similar situation. My timeline reads: Entered Australia 21 Sept 2013 on WHV De Facto Relationship started 30 December 2013 Applied for 820 Partner visa: 26 April 2015 Onshore Online Medicals submitted 26 April 2015 Police checks submitted 26 April 2015 Bridging Visa granted: 26 April 2015 Bridging visa in effect: 21 Sept 2015 Just playing the waiting game now. Also, just been looking through the DIBP website and found this, I know average processing for partner visas is anywhere from 10-15 months at the moment but this web page seems to indicate it could be less. http://www.border.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards/family-visa-processing-times As I applied onshore and from a low risk country, just looking to see if anyone knows whether low risk gets processed any sooner than high risk? Or whether it is literally in date order. My application was onshore, online, decision ready and low risk. I guess I'm looking at a grant date of around April-July 2016. Just getting frustrated when employers disregard job applications because I'm on a bridging visa, even though I have full working rights. Anyway, rant over. Would be good to get in touch with other 820 applicants and look at when people are getting grants through!

I'm amazed and so grateful for the response I've got from everybody! Thank you! I am trying to see a counsellor but again strange working hours can make it difficult. I've always been anxious and get upset very easily but over the last year its just been exhaustingly bad. I know a few people have mentioned that it would be tricky for my partner to get a visa to the UK. I had no idea it was so difficult. Is there no partner/de facto visa equivalent? He has Maltese heritage so may be able to go down that road. Or a working holiday visa if we were to go in the next couple of years. The visa issues could take the decision out of our hands.

He's Aussie, Melbourne born and bred. He has all his family and friends here. I have made a few friends through work but most are travellers who eventually go back home. I am friends with my boyfriends friends but would like to have a friends group of my own, like at home. I share most things with my partner but every girl needs a set of girlfriends I think. Its just hard finding some, I know all my home friends through school and uni

Hi Snifter! Thanks for your reply! You make a lot of good points. I think one of the key ones being taking things a day, week or few months at a time. I have a tendency to think the decisions I make are forever, when they don't have to be. I do love Australia and have always been into sports and the outdoors so the lifestyle suits me. I do agree that maybe trying to get more settled into a routine and making more friends would help me. Its just trying to find a temp/casual job that has regular hours for me to commit to sports clubs and social events that's the difficult bit. I have already seen my GP and been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. They put me on and off and change my medication which causes more upheaval so settling down and feeling 'at home' would definitely be nice. I guess I'm just very confused as to whether its just a bumpy time and we'll get through it or that it might just not be meant to be. You make a good point that when I visit the UK I am in holiday mode so finding a job, house and the stresses I have here will not just disappear if I did move back. I guess those things are just easier when you've got a wider support network of friends and family. Thank you for all your advice and sorry for going on a lot. I just seem to have a lot to think about and sometimes its useful to get an outside perspective!

Sounds like a pretty similar situation! Glad I'm not alone! I do think having a job helps but a lot of the work I get here is pretty dull and uninspiring, which again doesn't help. Have you managed to settle and make lots of friends here? I feel that most of my friends are actually my partners friends that I've sort of inherited. Do you have any advice or suggestions on making friends in melb? Were in a pretty family orientated suburb so lots of young families but not too many younger childless couples/singles

Hi, I'm new to the forum and just looking for some advice or similar stories to help me out. I originally moved to Melbourne from leafy Surrey in September 2013, so it's been about two years. I moved originally to travel and see how things worked out with my boyfriend who I had met in June 2013 whilst travelling the USA. I've done my WHV and my farm work and we've applied for our partner 820 visa in April this year. Work has been difficult to find due to visa restrictions and its pretty much just been temps jobs and call centre jobs, whilst my partner is a firefighter. I've had issues over the past year with depression and anxiety and am starting to think maybe it is just homesickness and I should move back to the UK. I love my partner and we have a good life here with good wages, opportunity to travel and good weather, but I've always been a home loving girl and miss the family cuddles and chats. I try to Skype regularly and have been back to visit 3 times already with my parents having just left after a two week visit. Every time I leave the UK or they leave oz I am hugely homesick. I am so confused as to whether this is homesickness, separation anxiety or depression. I feel anxious and down a lot of the time but am not sure whether this is just homesickness or something more. I have considered moving back to the UK but with my partner having an established career here I think he would find it hard. He said he is willing to try for a few months. But then there's the visa issue, our partner visa can take 12-15 months to process. Do i stick it out here for a few years and get my citizenship or go back home and give up on Australia and possibly my relationship. I guess I'm just looking for people in a similar situation to talk to as I'm feeling pretty lonely and lost. Its difficult deciding whether this is homesickness, anxiety, depression or just a case of the grass always being greener on the other side. If you've stuck with me through my rambling, then thank you. I don't expect psychologist grade replies, just someone to talk to and understand me, plus any advice if you've got it!

Hi, I'm new to the forum and just looking for some advice or similar stories to help me out. I originally moved to Melbourne from leafy Surrey in September 2013, so it's been about two years. I moved originally to travel and see how things worked out with my boyfriend who I had met in June 2013 whilst travelling the USA. I've done my WHV and my farm work and we've applied for our partner 820 visa in April this year. Work has been difficult to find due to visa restrictions and its pretty much just been temps jobs and call centre jobs, whilst my partner is a firefighter. I've had issues over the past year with depression and anxiety and am starting to think maybe it is just homesickness and I should move back to the UK. I love my partner and we have a good life here with good wages, opportunity to travel and good weather, but I've always been a home loving girl and miss the family cuddles and chats. I try to Skype regularly and have been back to visit 3 times already with my parents having just left after a two week visit. Every time I leave the UK or they leave oz I am hugely homesick. I am so confused as to whether this is homesickness, separation anxiety or depression. I feel anxious and down a lot of the time but am not sure whether this is just homesickness or something more. I have considered moving back to the UK but with my partner having an established career here I think he would find it hard. He said he is willing to try for a few months. But then there's the visa issue, our partner visa can take 12-15 months to process. Do i stick it out here for a few years and get my citizenship or go back home and give up on Australia and possibly my relationship. I guess I'm just looking for people in a similar situation to talk to as I'm feeling pretty lonely and lost. Its difficult deciding whether this is homesickness, anxiety, depression or just a case of the grass always being greener on the other side. If you've stuck with me through my rambling, then thank you. I don't expect psychologist grade replies, just someone to talk to and understand me. thanks