Prospective Marriage Visa To Aus

[nicholasmerwood]

Hey guys,

This is the situation. My fiance is in Australia with me now....she originally came across on a 3 month tourist visa, and sucessfuly had that extended another three months. She is due to leave start of September. We are then going to apply for a prospective marriage visa, but I believe this had to be applied for in Thailand - is there any bridging visa that she can apply for so in the five months meantime that this visa is processed she can stay with me in australia?

Also, because I am just about to finish my postgraduate studies - I havn't worked for a while and don't have recent pay slips showing a huge income...maybe just partime work about 400-500/week. Would this be sufficient to show that I can support her, or is it possible to use my Mum and Dad as sponsors for the application of such a visa?

Is there any better way to be doing this? Do you think she will be able to successfuly get another tourist visa if she has already stayed with me for 6 months? Would prefer a visa that she could work with......help with the cashflow

Thanks in advance for any comments/help

[gburns57au]

If she hasnt got a "No further stay" clause then she can apply from here.....you need to apply before the tourist visa expires and then a visa can be granted to cover the processing time....if the visa is refused she will need to leave the country fairly quickly.

[Tolley]

If she hasnt got a "No further stay" clause then she can apply from here.....you need to apply before the tourist visa expires and then a visa can be granted to cover the processing time....if the visa is refused she will need to leave the country fairly quickly.

Are there tourist visas that don't have no further stay clauses?

[Tolley]

I just checked my girlfriends 12 month tourist visa and there is nothing on it that states "No further stay"

Interestingly enough her first tourist visa which was a three month visa had the clause "No further stay"

She was however told in Bangkok when she got the 12 month visa that she couldn't apply for another visa from Austraila.

what appears on the visa is the following:

Class TR Visitor P

Sub Class 676

Conditions Mig Regs sched.8

8101 no work

8201 max three months study

8205 X ray if study 4 weeks

Can anybody tell me if applying for a bridging visa is possible with these conditions.

I will probably give immigration a call anyway but it would be good to know for sure.

[nicholasmerwood]

If she hasnt got a "No further stay" clause then she can apply from here.....you need to apply before the tourist visa expires and then a visa can be granted to cover the processing time....if the visa is refused she will need to leave the country fairly quickly.

Gburns - which visa are you referring to? I don't think you can apply for a future marriage visa in Australia, only a spouse visa. We do not really want another tourist visa granted....we want a visa were she can start working so we can move into a nice place.

[david96]

If she hasnt got a "No further stay" clause then she can apply from here.....you need to apply before the tourist visa expires and then a visa can be granted to cover the processing time....if the visa is refused she will need to leave the country fairly quickly.

Are there tourist visas that don't have no further stay clauses?

Some 6 month and the 12 month ME 676 visa, depends on DIAC.

[DCasper]

I just checked my girlfriends 12 month tourist visa and there is nothing on it that states "No further stay"

Interestingly enough her first tourist visa which was a three month visa had the clause "No further stay"

She was however told in Bangkok when she got the 12 month visa that she couldn't apply for another visa from Austraila.

what appears on the visa is the following:

Class TR Visitor P

Sub Class 676

Conditions Mig Regs sched.8

8101 no work

8201 max three months study

8205 X ray if study 4 weeks

Can anybody tell me if applying for a bridging visa is possible with these conditions.

I will probably give immigration a call anyway but it would be good to know for sure.

My wifes 12 months Visa had the same details. Applied for Subclass 820 Visa in Australia took about 6 Months.

I married in Thailand no paperwork so applied as a De facto.

DIAC can tell you in less than a minute, they will need to speak to your GF first.

[david96]

If one can apply for a 820 spouse visa in Australia when holding a 676 visa and you meet DIACs criteria it is far the better way to go even if it takes longer to approve and costs more, at least you are both in Australia and you have direct access to DIAC to sort out any problems. Ideal for a simple application if you are already legally married.

[Tolley]

I rang up immigration today in Perth and they said that i could do it from here as the visa didn't have a no further stay clause in it.

They also asked me if my girl had a police clearance and medical.

The medical she doesn't have and can do here but she had to do a police clearance in Thailand for the 12 month tourist visa but she doesn't have any record of that. You would think that immigration here would know that. Anyway have been assigned a case officer and they are going to email all the required documents but we don't have much time as the intereview is scheduled for the 7th of July.

Any tips from people who had done it in Australia would be helpful.

[nicholasmerwood]

Well in our case were not married yet.. hence a future marriage visa not a spouse visa. Gburns, any advice?

Think i'm gonna call immi tomorrow then I feel they are pretty helpful anyway with advice.

[DCasper]

I rang up immigration today in Perth and they said that i could do it from here as the visa didn't have a no further stay clause in it.

They also asked me if my girl had a police clearance and medical.

The medical she doesn't have and can do here but she had to do a police clearance in Thailand for the 12 month tourist visa but she doesn't have any record of that. You would think that immigration here would know that. Anyway have been assigned a case officer and they are going to email all the required documents but we don't have much time as the intereview is scheduled for the 7th of July.

Any tips from people who had done it in Australia would be helpful.

Tolley

We also done the paper work in Perth, but I used an agent. I had done most of the paperwork. Had a couple of problems with some forms being lost in the process.

The Thailand Clearance took about 10 weeks from Perth, 6 weeks waiting for finger prints to be done by the AFP.

You will also need an AFP Clearance if your GF has being in OZ for 12 Months in Total. Just fill out the form takes about 2 Weeks, it is only a name check.

Medical did not have to wait to long.

It took about 6 months for the Visa to be approved after applying. They did not speak to us or any of the References.

Good Luck

[Tolley]

I rang up immigration today in Perth and they said that i could do it from here as the visa didn't have a no further stay clause in it.

They also asked me if my girl had a police clearance and medical.

The medical she doesn't have and can do here but she had to do a police clearance in Thailand for the 12 month tourist visa but she doesn't have any record of that. You would think that immigration here would know that. Anyway have been assigned a case officer and they are going to email all the required documents but we don't have much time as the intereview is scheduled for the 7th of July.

Any tips from people who had done it in Australia would be helpful.

Tolley

We also done the paper work in Perth, but I used an agent. I had done most of the paperwork. Had a couple of problems with some forms being lost in the process.

The Thailand Clearance took about 10 weeks from Perth, 6 weeks waiting for finger prints to be done by the AFP.

You will also need an AFP Clearance if your GF has being in OZ for 12 Months in Total. Just fill out the form takes about 2 Weeks, it is only a name check.

Medical did not have to wait to long.

It took about 6 months for the Visa to be approved after applying. They did not speak to us or any of the References.

Good Luck

Thanks for the info.

When we did the tourist visa to Oz she had to get a police clearance in Thailand so i am wondering if that counts. ie they can contact the embassy in Bangkok and get those details.

She has been in Australia sort of for 12 months but been back and forward every three months with a months break in between.

[stormnut]

Hey guys,

This is the situation. My fiance is in Australia with me now....she originally came across on a 3 month tourist visa, and sucessfuly had that extended another three months. She is due to leave start of September. We are then going to apply for a prospective marriage visa, but I believe this had to be applied for in Thailand - is there any bridging visa that she can apply for so in the five months meantime that this visa is processed she can stay with me in australia?

Also, because I am just about to finish my postgraduate studies - I havn't worked for a while and don't have recent pay slips showing a huge income...maybe just partime work about 400-500/week. Would this be sufficient to show that I can support her, or is it possible to use my Mum and Dad as sponsors for the application of such a visa?

Is there any better way to be doing this? Do you think she will be able to successfuly get another tourist visa if she has already stayed with me for 6 months? Would prefer a visa that she could work with......help with the cashflow

Thanks in advance for any comments/help

[stormnut]

Hi, My wife came out to Australia on a tourist visa after we had married in a non registered Buddhist Ceremony in her village of Bankao.

We married at the registry office here in Brisbane as we had our big wedding in Thailand.

We then got the "Spouse Visa" forms while she was here in Brisbane and she took them back with her to Bangkok, had her blood tests and X Rays there (A LOT CHEAPER THAN HAVING THEM DONE HERE) note if she has children they will have to have blood tests too even if they are not coming over at the beginning.

She took everything to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and one week later had her spouse visa which enabled to get a job on return to Australia, and to get a medicare card.

The spouse visa goes for 2 years then is changed to a residents visa.

If you live in Brisbane, want to come see us and talk, drop me a line, we have helped 2 guys bring their Thai wives here, and have made some good friends.

Simon

[gburns57au]

If she hasnt got a "No further stay" clause then she can apply from here.....you need to apply before the tourist visa expires and then a visa can be granted to cover the processing time....if the visa is refused she will need to leave the country fairly quickly.

Gburns - which visa are you referring to? I don't think you can apply for a future marriage visa in Australia, only a spouse visa. We do not really want another tourist visa granted....we want a visa were she can start working so we can move into a nice place.

As David said......some 6 and 12 month visas....Once the application is lodged a bridging visa may be issued until a decision is made and all appeals (if any) have been completed. The bridging visa can be renewed.

If you are not married you can apply for a prospective Spouse visa or a de facto visa if you qualify.

[nicholasmerwood]

Spoke to DIAC several days ago. They cannot grant a bridging visa if you are going to apply for a future marriage visa, only for a spouse or defacto visa.

Have some new considerations now - either, get married in Perth several weeks before her tourist visa expires and apply for a spouse visa, upon the application a bridging visa will then be granted so she can stay with me while this happens.

OR

Get married when I return to Thailand, and apply for a spouse visa over there. I think its going to be cheaper to do it this way....as far as the medical and stuff goes...but harder to understand. Also I understand more support over here.

Any comments on what is easiest way? Thailand V's Oz.

[nicholasmerwood]

Just in reply to my own question

The visa processing fee is about $600 cheaper in Thailand than in Oz ($1420 V's $2000'ish)....

Not to mention cheaper medicals, police checks AND cheaper beers while waiting for the visa to be processed!!!!

Looks like I'm going back to the good ol' LOS

[Tolley]

Just in reply to my own question

The visa processing fee is about $600 cheaper in Thailand than in Oz ($1420 V's $2000'ish)....

Not to mention cheaper medicals, police checks AND cheaper beers while waiting for the visa to be processed!!!!

Looks like I'm going back to the good ol' LOS

I have cancelled my interview here because i am going back to Thailand in August and will do the application there.

Easier for her to wait in Thailand and cheaper too.

[qant2007]

Hi Simon

Im in Brissy and need some info please can i contact you,

my email is [email protected]

Thks John

Hi, My wife came out to Australia on a tourist visa after we had married in a non registered Buddhist Ceremony in her village of Bankao.

We married at the registry office here in Brisbane as we had our big wedding in Thailand.

We then got the "Spouse Visa" forms while she was here in Brisbane and she took them back with her to Bangkok, had her blood tests and X Rays there (A LOT CHEAPER THAN HAVING THEM DONE HERE) note if she has children they will have to have blood tests too even if they are not coming over at the beginning.

She took everything to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and one week later had her spouse visa which enabled to get a job on return to Australia, and to get a medicare card.

The spouse visa goes for 2 years then is changed to a residents visa.

If you live in Brisbane, want to come see us and talk, drop me a line, we have helped 2 guys bring their Thai wives here, and have made some good friends.

Simon

[gburns57au]

Hi Simon

Im in Brissy and need some info please can i contact you,

my email is [email protected]

Thks John

qant2007......put your questions up on the board....there are many here who can give info....and others who may be helped from your own situation.

[nicholasmerwood]

This is going off on a bit of a tangent. How much does a wedding cost in Thailand? Obviouslly we could organise it ourselves....no package deals. Speaking with my partner today, she reckons that there would be about 500 people there! pretty much everyone from her small town....apparently her dad is respected quiet high in the surrounding community - yet to meet him

also other things like, should i ask her father if i can marry her or can i simply tell him that is what is happening? on average, how long does it take for a spouse visa to be processed? i know it can vary but if it is a pretty sound application how long roughly?

[mmkn21]

Hi to all,

I'm Burmese, my fiancee is Oz.Prospective Marriage Visa apply on 27 June 2008 and interview on 10 July 2008. After interview officer said, in 3 week time we will call you and health check.

*My question is ,that mean good or bad. I'm worry!!

thanks

[gburns57au]

This is going off on a bit of a tangent. How much does a wedding cost in Thailand? Obviouslly we could organise it ourselves....no package deals. Speaking with my partner today, she reckons that there would be about 500 people there! pretty much everyone from her small town....apparently her dad is respected quiet high in the surrounding community - yet to meet him

also other things like, should i ask her father if i can marry her or can i simply tell him that is what is happening? on average, how long does it take for a spouse visa to be processed? i know it can vary but if it is a pretty sound application how long roughly?

A wedding will cost as much or as little as you want......speak to your partner regards what you can afford.

You should write a letter to her parents asking for their permission, obviously you will need a Thai person to write it for you. Alternatively you can ask them in person but you will need to follow the etiqutte....usually a gift to the parents will be required.

About 6-10 weeks for a spouse visa.

[gburns57au]

Hi to all,

I'm Burmese, my fiancee is Oz.Prospective Marriage Visa apply on 27 June 2008 and interview on 10 July 2008. After interview officer said, in 3 week time we will call you and health check.

*My question is ,that mean good or bad. I'm worry!!

thanks

Means they are processing your application....

no need to worry yet

[mmkn21]

thanks you! How long take processing time? Any idea!!

many many thanks

[db74]

Hi All

First time poster, thought Id add my 2 cents to this discussion in the hope that it might assist others or even generate some feedback for my scenario.

My understanding is that the prospective marriage (fiance) visa only can be applied for from Thailand. My girl was also on a tourist visa, a 12 month multi entry, which generally has a no extension condition attached to it.

I agree that doing everything over there is alot cheaper. My girl organised the medicals and police checks herself. A point of interest you guys might want to know about is that when she went for her medical, she was required to also get some medicals done for her 7 year old daughter. Im still unsure of the reasoning for this, but hopefully it may assist in the future when we apply for the daughter.

The health checks were done 2 weeks prior to the lodgement of the visa application and we just called the hospital and told them to forward the docs over once the visa app was in. The police clearance took about 2 weeks to arrive in the post also.

A point of note is to always have all original thai documentation (birth certs, change of name certs etc) translated into English and to provide both copies as part of the application. My girl was also required to get a certificate stating that she had never been married from her home town.

I paid the visa application fee in Sydney by Amex and just took the receipt across with me when we lodged it in Bangkok. We still had to pay the processing fee for the outsource centre where applications are taken.

We applied for the prospective marriage visa on 30 May 08. As of last week, I was told that it is in the decision making que. My prior enquiry, a couple of weeks after lodgment, I was advised that it was with the Aussie case officer.

No interviews have been requested to date, nor any further information sought other than a phone call a couple of days after clarifying a couple of details with my girl about when we met. I think she may have stuffed up the months slightly but Im not too concerned about that, all is present in the statements attached to the application.

Has anyone had any experience with the interview process, is it a given that she will be interviewed.

Its now going onto the 2nd month, I guess we will get an answer in the designated time of 1-3 months.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, hope Ive shed some light on any issues that have been raised so far.

Cheers

Danny

[aussie_21]

Thanks Danny for your informative post,

I agree that doing everything over there is alot cheaper. My girl organised the medicals and police checks herself. A point of interest you guys might want to know about is that when she went for her medical, she was required to also get some medicals done for her 7 year old daughter. Im still unsure of the reasoning for this, but hopefully it may assist in the future when we apply for the daughter.

This I was told by IMMI office in Australia is because they find that many woman say they don't want their child to join at the time of application but later apply so they want to get everything right to begin with and make sure there is no health issues as the Australian government is commited to keeping familys together.

[mmkn21]

Hi to all,

I'm Burmese, my fiancee is Oz.Prospective Marriage Visa apply on 27 June 2008 and interview on 10 July 2008. After interview officer said, in 3 week time we will call you and health check.

*My question is ,that mean good or bad. I'm worry!!

thanks

Means they are processing your application....

no need to worry yet

Embassy call me today and ask me go to medical examination!!!!

Any idea ????

Thanks

[saj]

hey can u plz give me tips on the interview??

my fiancee also applied for a visa in burma to come to australia. he hasnt had an interview yet its been over 2months already, cos the interview officers is not coming to burma yet. have u got ur visa yet?? plz explain the procedure u took in details will be much appreciated. im so nervous about my fiance' getting rejected. ur help will be much appreciated.

thanks