Mejmag

Spoke to the Australian Embassy's European service today and explained my situation and asked whether the dependant child visa means a nil charge for my visa. He said it is no longer the case that partner visa fees are waived by dependant child visas and that the partner migration booklet simply needs updating. Also that my wife can simply apply for citizenship by descent for the boy online, cost $230 and arrives in about a month. All good. I certainly think your right VeryStormy and that it's definitely worth me trying the skilled root to save a few bob. But worst way, I know I have to pay the $6865 or so to get a partner visa. Feel much better now that I know what needs to be done and how much it will cost and that's thanks to you guys for all the helpful advice. Matt.

My son is a British citizen. Holds a British passport. Will this prevent him from gaining Australian citizenship by descent through his mother? She is Australian born, Australian passport.

Hi verystormy. I have noticed the cost of a partner visa 309 is more expensive than a skilled visa. After reading through the migrant partner handbook I noticed that the cost of a 309 visa is nil if I have a dependant child. Would it be wise for me to apply for a 309 for myself along with a 455 for my son since the cost of the dependant child visa is approx $1700 as opposed to nearly $7000 for a 309 for me? Or would doing this be detrimental to my son in the long run, since his mother can simply get him citizenship by descent? Seems it would be cheaper to go the dependant child route, but also sounds too good to be true? Thanks, Matt.

Thanks very stormy. Although my son can get citizenship by descent from his mum, it appears (unless I'm reading it wrong) that if I apply for a dependant child visa 455, which cost approx $1700, then I can apply for my partner visa 309 at no cost, since my wife and I have been married for over two years. Seems too good to be true, and would it disadvantage my son in the long run? cheers, Matt.

Thanks for the replies guys. Thank you Sifter, lots of helpful information, much appreciated. I'm gonna read through the booklet and then read through the thread you mentioned. Thanks for for pointing me in the right direction guys. Matt.

That's great news guys. Makes the process a lot less daunting. Yes, my wife is Australian born. I now think we will get our sons citizenship sorted out at the High Commission and then that will mean I apply for the partner visa 309. Thanks Quoll, Cathh and Nemesis for the swift and helpful advice. It's much appreciated. Cheers, Matt

Hi guys. I would greatly appreciate help understanding the partner visa subclass 309 as I can't seem to find an answer to my question. I am a uk citizen and my wife is Australian. We live in the uk and have been married for over two years and we have a six month old child together. We want to migrate to Australia permanently and I understand that I need to apply for partner visa subclass 309 along with a dependant child visa subclass 455. We have not started the process yet. I work full time as a heating engineer here in the uk while my wife minds our son. The question I have is will I be allowed to even apply for a partner visa given that I will need to retrain or find another form of employment (which I'm happy to do) and my wife can't afford to support me as she will be looking for a job in Australia herself by that time? Or is it ok for me to apply so long as I pay visa fees and have enough money to support the three of us while I find work? We plan on living with her parents until we get our feet on the ground. Would love to hear how anyone else in a similar situation got on. Thanks guys. Matt.