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

[thecoachbc]

Hi guys, another question..

 

My partner (applicant from UK) and I are looking to apply online for the Offshore Partner Visa (309/100) in the next couple of weeks. Is there a limit to the amount/size of documents/photos you can attach in the online application form?

 

The reasons I ask is that we have about 100 documents and photographs (each around 5MB max) that need to be attached and didn't want to be caught out at the last minute having to decide which ones to cull if there was in fact a size limit.

 

I understand there is a 14 day window to submit everything. Does anybody have anything relevant to share regarding my question or the whole online application process itself?

 

Thanks a lot!

B

[CameronsDad]

Hi guys, another question..

 

My partner (applicant from UK) and I are looking to apply online for the Offshore Partner Visa (309/100) in the next couple of weeks. Is there a limit to the amount/size of documents/photos you can attach in the online application form?

 

The reasons I ask is that we have about 100 documents and photographs (each around 5MB max) that need to be attached and didn't want to be caught out at the last minute having to decide which ones to cull if there was in fact a size limit.

 

I understand there is a 14 day window to submit everything. Does anybody have anything relevant to share regarding my question or the whole online application process itself?

 

Thanks a lot!

B

Hi

We dropped dozens of pictures and their descriptions into a word document and saved it as a PDF. We kept it to the file size limit so this way we got loads more pictures in there than we'd have done if we had left them at their original size and uploaded them separately. We did the same for facebook screen shots.

 

Regarding the the amount of files, I didn't see anything official, but guidance on here was up to 60 documents. So combining dozens of pictures into one is the way to go. We ended up with 43 files uploaded.

[tearsofred01]

So we applied 8 months ago and my partner has just been notified he has a new CO (third one so far!). They say this won't affect the application but what the?!?!

[bobby122]

Thanks, I think I would move out earlier if it meant getting this job - but my predicament about the 6 months on WHV expiring before my partner visa is granted is worrying me.

 

I found this: http://www.immi.gov.au/forms/Documents/1445.pdf 'Request permission to work with an employerbeyond 6 months on a Working Holiday orWork and Holiday visa' form and it states:

 

Extending the work condition on a Working Holiday orWork and Holiday visaThe Department of Immigration and Border Protection (thedepartment) may give Working Holiday and Work and Holidayvisa holder’s permission to work for an employer beyond6 months where exceptional circumstances exist. Wherepermission is granted, it will generally be for a short period oftime (several days or weeks, not months).Exceptional circumstances must relate to an Australianpermanent resident, citizen or business and must beextraordinary and unforeseeable.Exceptional circumstances might include remaining in yourcurrent job for one of the following reasons:

• for a very short time (days or weeks) as you are critical to thecompletion of a specialised project that has unexpectedlygone over time (this generally only relates to highly skilledactivities, such as a lawyer in the middle of a trial or a doctorwho plans to operate on a patient they have been treating);

• performing disaster recovery work following a major disastersuch as clean-up, re-building or emergency managementactivities following a major flood;

• remaining in your current job while a decision is being madeon an application for a visa which would allow you to continuefull-time work with your employer without leaving Australia,such as an application for a Temporary Business (Long Stay)visa or a Spouse visa.Note: For the department to take this information intoconsideration when assessing your employment extensionrequest, you must have lodged your visa application andmust be recorded in the department’s systems.

Exceptional circumstances do not include remaining in yourcurrent job because you:

• have the required skills or because of labour shortages;

• are required to complete a project in a job that is not highlyskilled eg. retail or administration;

• have applied or intend to apply for a visa which requires youto leave Australia at the time of grant eg. Skilled visa subclasses175, 176 and 475;

• are not able to apply for another kind of visa.

 

 

The first bold part kind of implies as I have a lodged spouse visa application I may be eligible but then the last bold part kind of doesn't as it was an offshore application.

 

Anyone know if id be able to use the form 1445 for the above situation? Thanks

[Jaclyn Hayes]

Medical completed today... feeling very excited! Another step closer!

[Mrsguvs]

What financial information was missing in your first application that resulted in a denied visa?

 

Hiya, when we met each other in Aus I was on a working holiday visa and moved into my now husbands house. The problem was that I didn't have my name put onto the bills and they were all in his name even though I gave money towards them. However I had no evidence to provide of this. We also had a joint account in Aus but it had only been set up for 6 months when we applied for the first visa and our CO deemed there was not enough activity in the account itself- to show bills being paid, money transferred etc. to be fair to our CO we were given the opportunity to provide further evidence before the final decision was made but I just didn't have any. If I could have gone back in time and ensured both our names were on the bills I woul have! As I was on a whv at the time and it was his house I didn't seem it necessary to have my name added as I wasn't aware of the visa requirements at that time.

[elzawelza]

Hi guys, another question..

 

My partner (applicant from UK) and I are looking to apply online for the Offshore Partner Visa (309/100) in the next couple of weeks. Is there a limit to the amount/size of documents/photos you can attach in the online application form?

 

The reasons I ask is that we have about 100 documents and photographs (each around 5MB max) that need to be attached and didn't want to be caught out at the last minute having to decide which ones to cull if there was in fact a size limit.

 

I understand there is a 14 day window to submit everything. Does anybody have anything relevant to share regarding my question or the whole online application process itself?

 

Thanks a lot!

B

We didn't upload any photos at all, other than the official ones requested for the application. They seemed to be more interested in things like bank statements, phone bills and proofs of holidays together (email any companies you've been on holiday through, explain that you need proof for your visa application and they'll send you a letter/invoice confirming it); basically the general nitty gritty of the relationship. If you attach things like photos then they'll just get annoyed with you Oh and make sure your statutory declarations include EVERYTHING that relates to your relationship...if you want I can email you a template I made up based on the statutory declarations me and my bf did?

[elzawelza]

Oh and regarding the online application also; try to get it front loaded where possible with everything you think they may want to prove your relationship. Photos are easy to do, documents like phone bills etc; not so much. Oh and find a solicitor who will witness your documents also; makes it easier to upload them without any further questions as to your identity from your CO.

[Ozmaniac]

Personal statements from friends and family need to be witnessed but no documents need to be certified if you will be uploading colour scans of originals.

 

You should also note the following which was sent to a Partner visa applicant by their CO:

 

How Should I Put My Application Together?

Please do not make complex collations of your application papers. We waste a lot of time (and risk injury to life and limb) deconstructing applications which have been extensively stapled or artfully put together in complex folders with indexes, dividers and tabs. Do not use plastic inserts. Please leave the papers, loosely divided by slide-on paper clips if you feel it is absolutely necessary, in a simple stack. Application form on the top; sponsorship form next; key personal documents next (birth and marriage certificates etc); formal statutory declarations next; and other supporting documents last.

 

Please do not send us video tapes or photograph albums. If you would like to support your claims with photographs, please choose a representative selection and make a photocopy.

 

Please do not send us phone cards at all as they can tell us nothing. If you wish to send examples of correspondence, please be very selective and send copies only.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Ozmaniac

[elzawelza]

They might not need to, but to ensure the CO was happy with all our ID, we got ours certified anyway xx

[thecoachbc]

Hiya, when we met each other in Aus I was on a working holiday visa and moved into my now husbands house. The problem was that I didn't have my name put onto the bills and they were all in his name even though I gave money towards them. However I had no evidence to provide of this. We also had a joint account in Aus but it had only been set up for 6 months when we applied for the first visa and our CO deemed there was not enough activity in the account itself- to show bills being paid, money transferred etc. to be fair to our CO we were given the opportunity to provide further evidence before the final decision was made but I just didn't have any. If I could have gone back in time and ensured both our names were on the bills I woul have! As I was on a whv at the time and it was his house I didn't seem it necessary to have my name added as I wasn't aware of the visa requirements at that time.

 

Thanks for getting back to me! That must have been extremely frustrating for you both. I think there'll be enough information for us, even though we have only had a joint account for a few months. Prior to the joint account I was having my salary paid into my partner's (applicant) account, which is the same account which now has both our names on it. This account shows rent being paid and a lot of activity for travel and daily expenses etc.

 

I know what you mean about not being aware of visa requirements during the earlier stages of a relationship!

 

Fingers crossed I guess

[Melibios]

Finally had email confirmation and a CO assigned! We've got LC, does anyone else have this CO? They've also confirmed that they don't need any more relationship evidence and that the medical needs to be booked after 17/9/15. Guess now we just wait, wait, wait...

[ozmichelle]

I have only directly emailed KP once, and I received a response in about an hour. I have PM'ed you the email address.

 

Hello :-)

 

KP is my CO as well and was hoping you could PM his email address. Thanks in advance!

[CameronsDad]

Finally had email confirmation and a CO assigned! We've got LC, does anyone else have this CO? They've also confirmed that they don't need any more relationship evidence and that the medical needs to be booked after 17/9/15. Guess now we just wait, wait, wait...

Good news. Keep yourself busy doing other things. We are looking to declutter next week and I'm doing some essential work to the house at the same time. The months will fly past and hopefully we'll be in a stron position to sell. Then there's bringing up the wee one too, but that doesn't take much attention does it, ha ha

 

I look forward to your updates considering you are six days ahead of us.

[ozmichelle]

Hello, I have been reading this forum and thought I would add all our Visa dates on here. We submitted online for the Offshore Partner Visa on 29/01/2015. We received a letter originally saying it was going to be 9 - 12 months. We hadn't had any news so I emailed them the other day and apparently according to the Europe Office we have been assigned a CO and have had correspondence sent to my fiance's email. We never got these emails so they have now resent them. We submitted the application with the medical already done and the Police Certificate was uploaded in March. He has been asked to supply some more information but we have heard nothing else at present. We have also been told that the application will take 10 - 14 months which seems like such a long time! Our case officer is KP.

[Eifster]

We received a letter originally saying it was going to be 9 - 12 months.

 

Me too, applied in late December 2014. Strange that others are getting different info. I emailed the European Service Centre, and they did reply saying that the waiting time was generally 10 - 14 months, but the way it was written implied that they weren't familiar with my case, and I don't think it was my CO replying.

 

Another person who applied the same week as me was told 'December', so I'm expecting it to be 12 months, but feeling a little optimistic it will be quicker, even though I doubt it.

 

I did submit with police clearance, medical and what I hope is a very complete application. We've heard nothing though, and no word of a CO either. Makes me nervous to hear that you were told emails had been sent but nothing had arrived ...!

Edited April 21, 2015 by Eifster

[Eifster]

Hiya, when we met each other in Aus I was on a working holiday visa and moved into my now husbands house. The problem was that I didn't have my name put onto the bills and they were all in his name even though I gave money towards them. However I had no evidence to provide of this.

 

You've probably already considered this, but just in case: do you have bank statements with weekly or monthly rent-sized amounts of money being sent to him by direct debit or standing order, or even large monthly cash withdrawals which you could easily explain were for rent?

 

For my application, I printed out bank statements and highlighted the payments I sent to my partner. (I'm applying for a PMV though, and the burden of proof is lower)

 

 

EDIT: OK, sorry I see you were referring to a visa where a decision has already been made. For some reason, I can't figure out how to delete this post, it's driving me mad, haha

Edited April 21, 2015 by Eifster

[shortyboyo]

Any August folks here? Found this on another forum regarding the London Embassy. Was hoping for a sneaky 9 month timeframe but doesn't seem to be the case.

 

"I just called the London office and it is just a change of terminology.

 

I also pushed the guy around what happens in terms of the month between 9-10 (when the processing times change from 8-9 to 10-14 months) and he basically said that the visas processing staff will be looking at other visa classes during that time and the earliest anyone who applied on the 21st of July or after can expect their visa is at 10 months. Which is a bit gutting but hopefully he's just towing the corporate line and some will get lucky.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone."

[Seizethedance]

Any August folks here? Found this on another forum regarding the London Embassy. Was hoping for a sneaky 9 month timeframe but doesn't seem to be the case.

 

"I just called the London office and it is just a change of terminology.

 

I also pushed the guy around what happens in terms of the month between 9-10 (when the processing times change from 8-9 to 10-14 months) and he basically said that the visas processing staff will be looking at other visa classes during that time and the earliest anyone who applied on the 21st of July or after can expect their visa is at 10 months. Which is a bit gutting but hopefully he's just towing the corporate line and some will get lucky.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone."

 

Oh no! I applied on july 28th and was really hoping I'd hear in the next couple of weeks. Mind you, another month doesn't actually make any difference but still..

[tearsofred01]

Any August folks here? Found this on another forum regarding the London Embassy. Was hoping for a sneaky 9 month timeframe but doesn't seem to be the case.

 

"I just called the London office and it is just a change of terminology.

 

I also pushed the guy around what happens in terms of the month between 9-10 (when the processing times change from 8-9 to 10-14 months) and he basically said that the visas processing staff will be looking at other visa classes during that time and the earliest anyone who applied on the 21st of July or after can expect their visa is at 10 months. Which is a bit gutting but hopefully he's just towing the corporate line and some will get lucky.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone."

My partner applied on the 12th of August so fingers crossed!

[ozmichelle]

I did submit with police clearance, medical and what I hope is a very complete application. We've heard nothing though, and no word of a CO either. Makes me nervous to hear that you were told emails had been sent but nothing had arrived ...!

 

I would check with them, send an email to the General Enquiries. I was very annoyed when I found out we had been assigned a case officer back in February but hadn't been told. Also an email was apparently sent to us at the beginning of March which we've only just received as I emailed them saying I hadn't heard anything. I'm hoping it doesn't delay our Visa process....is so nerve racking having to wait for everything haha

[Magdalena]

Hi guys, as I have been following this forum for few weeks now I decided to join in to the conversation. I'm also an August applicant. I have lodged the application on the 1st of August and got acknowledgement of the application on the 7th of August. My CO is LG. Does anyone has the same person? Haven't seen that many people mentioning this initials. I'm checking my emails more regularly now than ever to the point where I catch myself doing it at night when I wake up for a toilet :happy_face_cowboy_wI feel like an email police. Please tell me I'm not on my own :err:getting a bit crazy about it.

I've done all the medical and police check at the beginning of February as requested. As mentioned in the previous emails the waiting time for people filing the application in August, the waiting time is between 10 to 14 months. I'm really hoping for the 10 month mark and keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Do you guys think is ok to email the CO and ask for some info/update? Not sure what I should say without sounding pushy. Any advice would be great. Good luck to everyone.

[ange]

Hi, i had a change of CO to LG last week, i applied on September 18th so just past the 7 month mark,also hopeing for a 10 month issue! My husband is the Aussie , we've been married almost 7 years with 3 children.

[Guest HarryBakes]

Hi all,

 

I wanted to share that I have just been granted my visa today! So relieved!

 

I applied on 16th July 2014 so it took 9 months and 6 days.

 

Good luck to everyone else!

[Magdalena]

Hi all,

 

I wanted to share that I have just been granted my visa today! So relieved!

 

I applied on 16th July 2014 so it took 9 months and 6 days.

 

Good luck to everyone else!

 

That's a fantastic news! Fingers crossed for the rest of us. Good with your move.