SUMMARY: Spouse Visa Processing times OFFSHORE-UK. Please add your Stats.

[lhigman]

We are using seven seas to ship our things, they have quoted us £240 for 8 boxes but hopefully we won't need to use all 8. Same as Pickfords though they require a copy if my visa which thankfully I got last week so looking to send the boxes off next week as they'll take 2.5 months to get there

 

I was told by seven seas who we used to put them in the name of the Australian person as its so much easier and no waiting times

[maisem]

VISA GRANTED THIS MORNING!!! YAY!!!

 

Good luck to all those waiting.

 

 

Congratulations Wardie, i'm really really pleased for you, gave me a huge smile to read this!

[Guest charleysmum74]

I am also flying out in 2 weeks (2-3 months before my visa is due). I bought a one way ticket. Was told by my CO that was fine to do. Lets hope it is.

 

 

Hi guys,

 

I came out to Melbourne Mid July on a tourist visa in lieu of my PR being granted. I was also told this would be fine by my lovely (ahem!)CO SV. It was fine, I had no hassle at the airport, the only grief we got was that I stood in the Non Australian line at passport control in Melbourne while my son and husband went to the Australian line. When they got to the front my husband was told to get me and they told us we must always stay together when passing through immigration. I would recommend you apply for your tourist visa sooner rather than later as they can take up to 10 days to process, mine came through in 2.

 

We used my husband's details for shipping as he is an Aussie citizen.

 

It's been a great move coming in on a tourist visa and not working for a while as it has given me chance to sort out loads of things such as house hunting, sourcing child care, getting my son a place at primary school, getting myself a job etc.

 

If anyone is coming to Melbourne we should have a get together!

 

The weather has been amazing today, my and my little boy spent the afternoon sat by the lake in the Botanic Gardens.

 

Just for info, I spoke to SV on the phone last night. I applied beginning of April and was told all along that my visa would be granted at the beginning of Sept (5months). When I spoke to SV last night she told me her processing times had gone up to 6 months and that my PR wouldn't be granted until mid October. So anyone banking on her granting your visa at the 5 month mark, it might be worth checking with her. She has had two month long periods of leave since I put my application in, so I'm not sure if this has affected her workload???

 

Good luck everyone xxx

[DaveS]

Today is the last day I can wait before making flight changes or applying for a tourist visa.

 

Haven't been many grants recently - 5 or 6 people were skipped for Wardie's grant. Unless its a bit out of date. Certainly myself and Lhigman. Hopefully today is the day.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone else! :biggrin:

[Happyviolet]

Hey guys,

 

Congratulations on all of the recent visa grants!!

Just wanted to ask...i have been granted my tourist visa and intend to fly back to aus in 2 weeks and spend the rest of the time(2-3 months) with my partner, then fly out to new zealand and back in etc. But my question was..Is it ok to book a one way ticket there as i wont need it to come back to the uk as ill be flying to new zealand for my pmv to be granted. Has anybody had much trouble with immigration when doing this. Its not a huge issue and i could just buy a return ticket but its a waste of money! I will be carrying evidence of funds for a couple of thousand and a letter of invitation from my fiance stating he will be supporting me fully, also proof that weve lodged a pmv application. Do you think it will cause any problems?

 

Thank you

 

I think you'll be fine if my recent experience is anything to go by. I'm in a similar situation - in Aus at the moment on a tourist visa while waiting for my partner visa (lodged in UK) to be processed. I filled in the landing card stating I was planning to stay for 3 months, and the reason for visiting was to stay with family. I was anticipating questions at immigration but didn't get asked a single thing, not even which family member I was staying with!

[Guest jubjub87]

I am also flying out in 2 weeks (2-3 months before my visa is due). I bought a one way ticket. Was told by my CO that was fine to do. Lets hope it is.

I hope its ok!! I just dont know if booking a return will just save alot of hassle as ive just been there for 2 years on a working holiday and have only been out of the country for 5 months...so not sure what to do!

[Guest jubjub87]

I think you'll be fine if my recent experience is anything to go by. I'm in a similar situation - in Aus at the moment on a tourist visa while waiting for my partner visa (lodged in UK) to be processed. I filled in the landing card stating I was planning to stay for 3 months, and the reason for visiting was to stay with family. I was anticipating questions at immigration but didn't get asked a single thing, not even which family member I was staying with!

 

 

So did you have a return ticket happyviolet? I have only been out of the country for the last 5 months after spending 2 years there on a working holiday so it might raise some eyebrows thats why i thought a return ticket would look better. Some people have said to book a return and some people have said that it will be fine not to! so still not sure where im at!

[Anna333]

Today is the last day I can wait before making flight changes or applying for a tourist visa.

 

Haven't been many grants recently - 5 or 6 people were skipped for Wardie's grant. Unless its a bit out of date. Certainly myself and Lhigman. Hopefully today is the day.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone else! :biggrin:

 

 

Good luck DaveS! Fingers firmly crossed!

[Anna333]

Glad that it seem pr is likely straight off! We have been together 7 years, married 2 and have a 10 month old. And my Aussie husband has been granted pr status in the uk as my spouse so hoping all this goes in our favour of a smooth application?? Haven't started form filling yet though. Seems like such a mountain of evidence required when it's quite obvious we are a real couple!

 

Sounds very similar to my case - together 9 years, married 2, 1 year old. Got a permanent visa straight off. Sounds like you'd be a likely candidate too.

 

Don't stress about the evidence. I missed out some evidence and they simply requested specific extra stuff from me, no worries. Good luck!

[Guest charleysmum74]

Today is the last day I can wait before making flight changes or applying for a tourist visa.

 

Haven't been many grants recently - 5 or 6 people were skipped for Wardie's grant. Unless its a bit out of date. Certainly myself and Lhigman. Hopefully today is the day.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone else! :biggrin:

 

Have you not been granted your visa yet? Who was skipped for Wardie's grant? FIngers crossed tightly!!

[jimmyay1]

Could I ask charleys mum I know your in oz on a tourist visa ate you looking for work but telling employers the date you can start I.e your estimated date of grant of perm residency. Or is anyone else for that matter? I may need to come over early with my partner.

[Guest charleysmum74]

Could I ask charleys mum I know your in oz on a tourist visa ate you looking for work but telling employers the date you can start I.e your estimated date of grant of perm residency. Or is anyone else for that matter? I may need to come over early with my partner.

Hi there,

I applied for a job before I came and had an interview when I got here. I made them fully aware of my visa situation and they were happy to appoint on the condition that I get my PR, which I'm getting next week. If an employer wants you and they are able to wait, I'm sure it won't be a problem.

 

Good luck! I'm so relieved to be getting to the end of this whole process, I go to NZ for my visa grant next week, so I can start work the week after!

[jimmyay1]

Hi there,

I applied for a job before I came and had an interview when I got here. I made them fully aware of my visa situation and they were happy to appoint on the condition that I get my PR, which I'm getting next week. If an employer wants you and they are able to wait, I'm sure it won't be a problem.

 

Good luck! I'm so relieved to be getting to the end of this whole process, I go to NZ for my visa grant next week, so I can start work the week after!

 

 

Thanks very much for the lightning fast response.

 

I may well take a punt on coming slightly earlier than planned and using the first month there to try and find work before my visa is granted. After all it is easier to interview in person whilst there. Edit : i imagine there may be a Christmas / post christmas summer holiday lull in the jobs market in Oz so may be best to try and secure something before rather than arrive mid December & start.....

Edited August 29, 2012 by jimmyay1

[Mum of 5]

Sounds very similar to my case - together 9 years, married 2, 1 year old. Got a permanent visa straight off. Sounds like you'd be a likely candidate too.

 

Don't stress about the evidence. I missed out some evidence and they simply requested specific extra stuff from me, no worries. Good luck!

 

when did they ask for the extra stuff? was it at the beginning when you submitted, or closer to the grant date? We're married 12 yrs and have 5 kids, so no doubt as to being a 'genuine relationship'. Just curious though that every one just sends their stuff off and gets an email saying all is fine, it will be granted in 6-9 months. If they can say it 'will be granted', why not just grant it? (teehee guess who hates waiting?)

[DaveS]

Well my CO confirmed receipt of the passport copy. He still says hes not in a position to issue me a visa.

 

I am starting to get a bit frustrated by it all. The worst thing is its a product entirely of my own creation.

[Anna333]

when did they ask for the extra stuff? was it at the beginning when you submitted, or closer to the grant date? We're married 12 yrs and have 5 kids, so no doubt as to being a 'genuine relationship'. Just curious though that every one just sends their stuff off and gets an email saying all is fine, it will be granted in 6-9 months. If they can say it 'will be granted', why not just grant it? (teehee guess who hates waiting?)

 

As soon as you have a case officer assigned at the beginning of the process they will ask for additional evidence, if required, and for you to go for police check and medical - they cash the cheque around the same time.

 

The email never states that 'you will be granted', just that you will 'have a response'. So whilst there is no guarantee, I think most of us spouse are pretty confident in the validity of our relationships, as you are too. They delay the grant so that they only process a certain amount of people a year. There must be more applications these days as the response time is gradually increasing all the time.

[Guest guest72634]

Thanks for your info LauraF.

Also thanks K17. Might try Pickfords too if they are local, as i'm just up the road from you in Cheltenham. How big are your boxes? Are they yours or do they provide them?

Cheers

 

I collected them from the depot in Brockworth. (once filled they will collect from you) The boxes are 44cm wide, 44cm deep, 50cm high.

 

Lots of paper work to fill in though.

[Guest guest72634]

I was told by seven seas who we used to put them in the name of the Australian person as its so much easier and no waiting times

 

But that Australian person has to have been in the UK within the last 12 months (mine hasn't) and if they do open the boxes they will clearly see the clothes don't belong to him. I can't take that risk.

[LauraF]

But that Australian person has to have been in the UK within the last 12 months (mine hasn't) and if they do open the boxes they will clearly see the clothes don't belong to him. I can't take that risk.

 

I'm not sending mine using a specialist service like that. Although it's clearly cheaper I don't have much stuff and will need (or want) a lot of it to already be there when I arrive which is why I'm not waiting for my visa to be approved first. I've sent a load of clearly women's clothes (and high heels!) addressed to my fiancés father... believe it or not, as I will be staying at his home address initially so he will be going to collect the parcel from the PO hence it needed to be in his name. I'm not worried that the stuff is clearly not meant for him as I think they x-ray stuff and only open it if something looks a bit suspect, even if they did have a look through it if there's nothing against regulations in there I don't think they'd care who it's addressed to. I mean you're sending your stuff to someone else you know to stay in their care as far as I see it.

 

I've done this before when I came back home from my working holiday in Aus and there were no problems with the addressing of the parcel to someone else to look after in my absence.

Edited August 29, 2012 by LauraF

[susieB]

K17,

My Aussie partner has been here in the last 12 months, so i may take the risk.

[Will146]

Just after some clarification....applied for 309/100 4th July 2012, c/o (LG) assigned and advised it will be a 5- 6mth wait. Meds required 9th July and undertaken 31.07.2012. Range AO a week later (didn't spk to LG as she was on leave) was told it will be a 8-9mth wait now!!). Emailed LG today - reply was....no further info required (good), visa will still take 5-6mth and will be finalised in Dec/Jan! Does that mean i've been granted it or are they still looking through my application?? Help - i'm exicted but don't want to get too excited. Has anyone else had the same reply/experience.....

 

I submitted 309 application on the 11th July & emailed LG the other day about booking flights, I was advised that my visa would be approved mid Dec to Jan time aswell, but to email her when I have booked my flights so she can try to approve on time.

[Bound4Tassie]

Just wondering why you have to be outside oz when it's granted? What is the thinking behind that?

[littlekitty]

Regarding return tickets - I dont see the problem coming in on a one way ticket.. except I would have a ticket ONWARDS to somewhere like Bali/NZ. Usually when you go through immigration at airports (for non-visa related travel) their main concern is an onward ticket, not a return ticket. They want you out of the country when your tourist visa is up...I'm pretty sure they dont care what country you leave to, as long as you leave.

 

Not sure if that would be the cheaper option, but it saves worrying about being rejected if you only have your ticket into australia...

[BENS0N]

Just thought i would update my situation. Been in Australia for nearly 3 weeks now and settling in nicely. The weather over here has been amazing and today was 28 degrees. Jet lag took its time to get over and have now got into the routine. Love the lakes and the trips down to the beach, it is truly stunning here and now getting used to the new sounds from the birds. I and also getting to understand the differences in language and also what shops are best for what products. I have now got a car (which is harder than it seems as so ridiculously expensive) so am more mobile and starting to drive round looking for suitable places to buy (currently living with OH's parents).

 

Have got an aussie mobile on Optus and for $30 a month include 250 free minutes to any phone anywhere and yes that includes a uk mobile, the package also includes unlimited texts and 500 mb of data. All i did was transfer the sim over on my iphone and ready to go. Which is amazing as still keep in touch with family and friends when out and about.

 

Still waiting on my visa and constantly looking for flights to NZ and the varying costs. Been looking at jobs but not applied for any yet as it is against the rules of the tourist visa to be actively seeking employment and to be honest dont want to have any black marks against my name (You never know if there are any jobsworths about).

 

Its been amazing spending time with my OH after being away from each other for 4 months and have spent a lot of time together. She is back at work and am now getting slightly restless and just want the visa to be granted so i can start applying for jobs myself

 

As for the one way ticket, it is no problem at all, just walked up to immigration and they asked the purpose of my stay and said visiting my fiance and waiting for my spouse visa to be granted. They said fine and walked through. No other questions raised. Even got a sticker straight through customs and didnt get x-rayed there either. Took about 20 mins from landing to the arrivals lounge.

 

To those waiting or wondering if the process is worth it I can honestly say at the moment it feels the best decision i have made.

 

 

Good luck to all and fingers crossed my visa will be granted soon.

[Guest GeorgeD]

Just wondering why you have to be outside oz when it's granted? What is the thinking behind that?

 

Frankly I think it's just to make life that little bit difficult for Offshore applicants and discourage you from applying and then heading straight to Oz on a Tourist Visa. If you need to leave anyway you are that little bit more likely to remain offshore while it is processed.