TheWayOfThePony

It is perfectly possible to submit your medical and police check straight away. Some argue having a complete application straight from the go can speed up the process. The reason others prefer to wait until requested by their CO is that the medical & PCC are only valid for a year, so with processing times taking longer and longer it is well possible they will expire before the grant, leaving the applicant to do (and pay for) them all over again. In short, both are technically possible and it is up to you. We waited until asked and the visa was granted about a month after submitting them, so I don't feel like frontloading would have significantly sped up things.

No worries at all I spent months researching before actually applying, so I totally get the confusion, I've been there! Requirements for any visa seem to change quite often, so what was enough 5 years ago might not be now (for instance the sponsor in a partner visa has to provide a police clearance as well now; oh, and it's an Australian Federal Police Check, not a National Police Check). I think being disabled is hard everywhere sadly (see regular cuts here in the UK). It's wonderful she can rely on you though, and in the context of applying for a PMV this obviously counts as emotional/financial support. Again I don't know how this situation can affect an application, but it's good you know someone who can give you proper advice. Best of luck to ya both! you'll get there but yes - probably a good idea to submit as soon as you can. Immigration laws are changing fast and everywhere (yup I can see the UK following suit as well).

Ha, I think that's 8 more than what I'll have! But I knew it when I applied. It's quite the commitment in terms of money and annual leave so I can't really stamp my foot and demand everyone comes and celebrates the Princess ? I'm happy for your message that the family is making that long trip though Yeah Melbourne is BIG and I have only seen a fraction of it. It's so great that you can be in the mountains or on the beach after a swift train ride! That and the glorious food - you understand why it constantly tops the polls of most livable cities

We just had our PMV approved and like you we were long distance (no bills or rent in common). We tried and cover all fields required to prove the relationship is genuine (finances, social, mutual support etc) As evidence of a genuine and continuous relationship we included a selection of screenshots of our conversations (emails, instant messenger etc) showing constant communication and discussions of our future together; scans of plane tickets, hotel bookings, theatre tickets etc to documents all the times we met; and photos together (you won't need hundreds of them, but you have to prove you have actually met in person, and they do ask for them) As evidence of being socially accepted as a couple we had pictures with friends and family (plus the statements from friends obviously), and Facebook posts which made it clear we are in a relationship. If you have any evidence of social events you've attended together as a couple (wedding invites etc), include them as well. As evidence of financial support we had bank statements showing money transfers; we have a joint account too. This is where you include life insurance etc as well, if you have that. As evidence of emotional support we had pictures of parcels, gifts and postcards sent to each other, plus screencaps of conversations/emails. You have to show you intend to marry, not just date, so get in touch with a celebrant and include the evidence in your application (NOIM and email correspondance with the celebrant). A lot of celebrants are experienced with PMVs so they will know exactly what to do. Also include any discussions of wedding venue/rings/dress etc you will have had with your fiancé. Your statement is important as it should not only give a history of your relationship, but also address questions they might legitimately have, such as why you haven't been able to live together. Remember they don't know you at all, so take the time to explain your relationship and how it works - even the mundane aspects (how do you split chores and costs when you are together etc). We did the medical & police checks when the CO requested it. I'm not sure form 80 is mandatory now, but we were asked to send it. So get a headstart and start filling it as it requires a lot of information (travel history for the past 10 years, details about you and your fiancé 's immediate family - such as dates of birth/wedding/death of parents and siblings etc) that you might not immediatly have at hand. As for your fiancé she will have to send the usual ID documents (birth certificate, copy of passport, marriage/divorce certificate, scan of a passport picture), plus a police clearance (when requested), her own personal statement, and evidence of employment/assets as sponsors have to prove they can support you once you move. I'm not sure what to do if she's on pension, if I were you I would book a consultation with a registered agent; it's worth paying the extra bucks considering how expensive the application is. It seems a lot, and it takes time to gather and organise all the evidence. Just tick those boxes one by one and you'll get there. Remember you can only upload a maximum of 60 documents (5MB size limit), so try and have all evidence of social life (for instance) pasted onto one single pdf file to save some slots. Same with financial evidence etc. I tried to think of everything but if you have questions just let me know!

PMVs have been processed quickly in London recently. Ours (and others') took about 3 months and like you we did not have proof of living together (joint rent/bills etc), but we are constantly in contact and visiting each other so can prove a continuous and genuine relationship. Of course as it is an offshore visa it means living apart from your fiancée for most of the process (you can visit each other on a tourist visa, so no working rights, 3 months stay at a time etc).

Yes you have to prove your witnesses are Australian, so upload a scan of their ID page from their passport too

Oh how exciting! Planning so far ahead is smart, you can probably expect a lot of European guests it'll be warm too, provided Melbourne doesn't do her four-season-in-a-day thing I'll be holding the migrant fort in the western suburbs! I love it there, it's rather underrated. Though I must say I haven't really explored the east side bar St Kilda. There will be time to travel outside the CBD and the hipster suburbs now though!

Ryman stationary shops will do colour scans for you, if you don't have a scanner at home/work I'm sure similar shops offer scanning services as well! http://www.ryman.co.uk/services

I didn't certify the photos, or the police clearance now that I think about it (but I sent a colour scan). Just the ID docs and witness forms I know, I was so relieved when I heard the post office could do it!! I thought I would have to book an appointment with a judge or something ?

We said early November, though we didn't want to make definite plans in case we had to wait 12-16 months and postpone the date. So it might change a tad depending on venues availability etc! And I'm going to Melbourne (how original I know !) When are are you guys getting married?

I certified pretty much everything regarding ID - passport copies, birth certificates etc. And the witness forms too. But I think that as long as you have colour scans you don't need to. I just wanted to be on the safe side! I had everything certified at the post office, though they charge a fee. Otherwise you can ask the following : https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document http://www.postoffice.co.uk/document-certification-service

I thought we had missed the boat on this month's grants as I got the impression they were pretty much sent in the first week, but we got the call!! PMV granted after 3 months! Not long for people still waiting I'd think I'll take a few days to let it sink in as I'm still shell shocked, and then start thinking move, wedding, and 820. But all good and exciting!

I applied for a PMV and although form 80 wasn't in the original list of documents, it was later requested along with the medical & police clearances, so I agree you should fill & send it to avoid delays. The most daunting part is the travel history (if you've travelled a lot in the past 10 years) but otherwise it's straightforward, it just takes time

2000 characters is a maximum I would think. Writing less shouldn't matter as long as the evidence is solid. That said, 2000 characters go pretty quickly! We had covered those points in our personal statements so we just said, "see statement" on the form. Hope that's okay, but I've read some people were doing the same. You can download the witness form (form 888) on the DIBP website (https://www.border.gov.au/ but just Google form 888 and you'll be directed to it). Good luck

Hello there! Joining the queue for company We lodged our application (300) in early Feb, got asked for checks and form 80 about a month later, and sent everything in early April. Congratulations to all who got their golden ticket this month! It looks like partners applications are processed fairly swiftly in London, so fingers crossed for the rest of us.