Fiance Visa For Australia

[scrubs]

Hi,

I have spent a while searching this forum, trying to find answers to questions about applying for a Fiance Visa to Australia. Firstly I would like to thank everyone that shared their experience in order to help people like me, who are just going through the process. I do have a few questions, some of which have been answered already in the past, and I would appreciate any help that you can offer. If I have missed the information on another thread you can also point it out to me.

#1) My first question relates to proving your employment status in Australia. Would a pay slip, displaying annual salary be sufficient or is it necessary to obtain a letter from employer stating the duration of employment as well?

#2) My second question is about the evidence necessary to prove the relationship. I know that this might be difficult to answer. However, I have plenty of photographs, records of transfer of money and 3-4 letters that I was planning on providing. I do not have any emails (we didn't really email each other save for a few pictures). I also don't have any phone records because we mostly used mobiles and sent each other phone messages. We used skype about 3-4 times a week but there isn't a way that I can prove this (though I did mention it in my statement on the relationship). Is the evidence that I have sufficient or should I try and gather more?

#3) My fiance was diagnosed with a heart condition. Treatment (surgery) was recommended in 2-3 years. Can this cause problems or be a ground for refusing the visa? My concern is that they could see it as her becoming a burden on the state if she needs to be hospitalised.

#4) I have read these, and other, forums and have read that visa can be granted anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks or a month or two, if it is incomplete. I have read that the process will be faster if it is lodged directly at the embassy and this is what we plan to do. However, recently I have heard that some visa applications are being put on hold due to the Qld floods (I don't know how the floods and visa are relevant to each other and I am hoping it is just a rumour. I live in SA by the way.) If anyone has undergone the process recently, or knows of someone who has, can you tell me how long i can expect to wait?

Thank you in advance for answering my questions.

J

[Condo]

In answer to some of your questions.

1) I think I put in a copy of my Tax return and a couple of pay slips, even though they only required one form of proof according to the Visa checklist.

2) Lots of photographs, Download your txt mesages off your phone and print a hard copy. Highlight Phone calls to her on your phone bills, 2 x Statutory declarations "form 888" from the Australian Immigration website filled out by two friends. Download your Skype history by following these instructions.

In the chat window you want to save the history from type /history That will recover all the available history. Next, click anywhere in the conversation part of the window and type <ctrl> +A to select all. Then use <ctrl> +C to copy the conversation and past into anything from notepad to word and save it!

3) I wouldn't mention the heart condition, and unless you had private health cover it would take 10 years for her to get into a public hospital for an operation due to the wait and our bad public health care system. She would probably be an Australian citizen by then and it wouldn't matter.

4)I know of two couples who have just gone through the process. One is still waiting after 4 months and the other took 14 weeks, so dont hold your breath on it being quick. If its incomplete it will take longer. I did mine 2 and half years ago and it took 6 weeks. (not any more)

Good Luck

Edited February 23, 2011 by Condo

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Skype calls you can down load ?

[bangkockney]

You can record skype audio and video calls.

Either with a hardware or software setup. I use Pamela.

Clearly you can't retrieve any calls made before your chosen solution is deployed.

[Will27]

Hi scrubs

She has to declare on the visa application whether

or not she has or had any medical conditions.

She will also have to attend a medical check for a partner

visa. If she doesn't disclose the heart condition and it is picked

up by the test, they will more than likely refuse the visa straight away.

It would be refused on "false and misleading information"

provided to the department.

You might want to follow up on the condition a bit more

and then query it with DIAC. Having a medical problem

doesn't mean an automatic refusal, it depends on what it

is.

IMHO, it's a dangerous game you play if you bullshit them,

because any credibility goes out of the window.

Good luck.

Regards

Will

Edited February 23, 2011 by Will27

[scrubs]

2) Lots of photographs, Download your txt mesages off your phone and print a hard copy. Highlight Phone calls to her on your phone bills, 2 x Statutory declarations "form 888" from the Australian Immigration website filled out by two friends. Download your Skype history by following these instructions.

3) I wouldn't mention the heart condition, and unless you had private health cover it would take 10 years for her to get into a public hospital for an operation due to the wait and our bad public health care system. She would probably be an Australian citizen by then and it wouldn't matter.

4)I know of two couples who have just gone through the process. One is still waiting after 4 months and the other took 14 weeks, so dont hold your breath on it being quick. If its incomplete it will take longer. I did mine 2 and half years ago and it took 6 weeks. (not any more)

Good Luck

Thanks for the advice.

How many photos would you consider 'lots'? We prepared about 30 odd so far. But it wouldn't be a problem to print more.

If she goes ahead with the medical and they find 'something' do you think they are likely to ask for more tests?

When I was in BKK and called the embassy they told me that the application 'could' take 3 months but it would be faster if it was a complete application. 4 months seems like a very long time to wait and many people posted on these forums (although not recently) that the wait times were a lot less. Did you file the application at the embassy of the visa office?

Anyway I hope it all works out

Cheers

J

[bridge]

2) Lots of photographs, Download your txt mesages off your phone and print a hard copy. Highlight Phone calls to her on your phone bills, 2 x Statutory declarations "form 888" from the Australian Immigration website filled out by two friends. Download your Skype history by following these instructions.

3) I wouldn't mention the heart condition, and unless you had private health cover it would take 10 years for her to get into a public hospital for an operation due to the wait and our bad public health care system. She would probably be an Australian citizen by then and it wouldn't matter.

4)I know of two couples who have just gone through the process. One is still waiting after 4 months and the other took 14 weeks, so dont hold your breath on it being quick. If its incomplete it will take longer. I did mine 2 and half years ago and it took 6 weeks. (not any more)

Good Luck

Thanks for the advice.

How many photos would you consider 'lots'? We prepared about 30 odd so far. But it wouldn't be a problem to print more.

If she goes ahead with the medical and they find 'something' do you think they are likely to ask for more tests?

When I was in BKK and called the embassy they told me that the application 'could' take 3 months but it would be faster if it was a complete application. 4 months seems like a very long time to wait and many people posted on these forums (although not recently) that the wait times were a lot less. Did you file the application at the embassy of the visa office?

Anyway I hope it all works out

Cheers

J

Firstly, you said "if she goes ahead with the medical". Sorry, but she will have no choice on that one. She will need the medical/radiological examinations completed prior to a decision being made on her application.

Secondly, processing time is currently not less than 3 months unfortunately.

Lastly, photos don't prove that you have a genuine intention to marry and live together as a married couple. You will need a letter from a licensed marriage celebrant that they have agreed to marry you at a future date. Importantly the DIAC decision maker may request further evidence to assess the genuineness of both you and your fiances intention to marry. It must be shown that you have an intend to live together as a married couple. For this reason you should submit relationship statement, one from you, and one from your partner.

Good Luck

Bridge

[scrubs]

Firstly, you said "if she goes ahead with the medical". Sorry, but she will have no choice on that one. She will need the medical/radiological examinations completed prior to a decision being made on her application.

Secondly, processing time is currently not less than 3 months unfortunately.

Lastly, photos don't prove that you have a genuine intention to marry and live together as a married couple. You will need a letter from a licensed marriage celebrant that they have agreed to marry you at a future date. Importantly the DIAC decision maker may request further evidence to assess the genuineness of both you and your fiances intention to marry. It must be shown that you have an intend to live together as a married couple. For this reason you should submit relationship statement, one from you, and one from your partner.

Good Luck

Bridge

Sorry perhaps I just worded it wrongly. I know that the medical is compulsory. However, I was interested in whether they are likely to ask for a followup medical or a more detailed investigation by a specialist.

I should have mentioned that I have a letter from the Church in BKK stating that we have lodged an intention to marry and it states the booked date for the wedding. We have also completed the statements on the relationship (1 each).

I was told by the embassy that form 888 was only used for partner visa and are not essential for the fiance visa.

I am just trying to organise all the documents so that they do not have to ask for anything and that way, i am hoping that it will go quicker.

Thanks for all the advice

[gburns57au]

Sorry perhaps I just worded it wrongly. I know that the medical is compulsory. However, I was interested in whether they are likely to ask for a followup medical or a more detailed investigation by a specialist.

I should have mentioned that I have a letter from the Church in BKK stating that we have lodged an intention to marry and it states the booked date for the wedding. We have also completed the statements on the relationship (1 each).

I was told by the embassy that form 888 was only used for partner visa and are not essential for the fiance visa.

I am just trying to organise all the documents so that they do not have to ask for anything and that way, i am hoping that it will go quicker.

Thanks for all the advice

If you are getting married in BKK then you cant apply for a fiance visa to Oz.

You will need to apply for a spouse visa after marriage.

The fiance visa visa allows your partner to enter Oz for the purpose of getting married.

[scrubs]

Sorry perhaps I just worded it wrongly. I know that the medical is compulsory. However, I was interested in whether they are likely to ask for a followup medical or a more detailed investigation by a specialist.

I should have mentioned that I have a letter from the Church in BKK stating that we have lodged an intention to marry and it states the booked date for the wedding. We have also completed the statements on the relationship (1 each).

I was told by the embassy that form 888 was only used for partner visa and are not essential for the fiance visa.

I am just trying to organise all the documents so that they do not have to ask for anything and that way, i am hoping that it will go quicker.

Thanks for all the advice

If you are getting married in BKK then you cant apply for a fiance visa to Oz.

You will need to apply for a spouse visa after marriage.

The fiance visa visa allows your partner to enter Oz for the purpose of getting married.

I thought that she only had to enter Australia before we got married and that in the 9 month period we were free to get married outside of Australia if that is what we wanted. The date is set far enough in the future to make this possible.

[Condo]

Firstly, you said "if she goes ahead with the medical". Sorry, but she will have no choice on that one. She will need the medical/radiological examinations completed prior to a decision being made on her application.

Secondly, processing time is currently not less than 3 months unfortunately.

Lastly, photos don't prove that you have a genuine intention to marry and live together as a married couple. You will need a letter from a licensed marriage celebrant that they have agreed to marry you at a future date. Importantly the DIAC decision maker may request further evidence to assess the genuineness of both you and your fiances intention to marry. It must be shown that you have an intend to live together as a married couple. For this reason you should submit relationship statement, one from you, and one from your partner.

Good Luck

Bridge

Sorry perhaps I just worded it wrongly. I know that the medical is compulsory. However, I was interested in whether they are likely to ask for a followup medical or a more detailed investigation by a specialist.

I should have mentioned that I have a letter from the Church in BKK stating that we have lodged an intention to marry and it states the booked date for the wedding. We have also completed the statements on the relationship (1 each).

I was told by the embassy that form 888 was only used for partner visa and are not essential for the fiance visa.

I am just trying to organise all the documents so that they do not have to ask for anything and that way, i am hoping that it will go quicker.

Thanks for all the advice

I know it says nowhere about the 888 but I got help from a guy who warned me to make sure I did 2 x 888 forms as he got asked for them. Remember you dont want them to ask you for anything afterwards otherwise the process will take longer. With the 888 forms you will also need a photocopy of your friends Drivers licence or Passport which they will need to sign and date. You will then have to have it certified a genuine copy of the original by a JP

[gburns57au]

If you are getting married in BKK then you cant apply for a fiance visa to Oz.

You will need to apply for a spouse visa after marriage.

The fiance visa visa allows your partner to enter Oz for the purpose of getting married.

I thought that she only had to enter Australia before we got married and that in the 9 month period we were free to get married outside of Australia if that is what we wanted. The date is set far enough in the future to make this possible.

Nope, The fiance visa, as I said is for the purpose of your partner coming to Oz to get married....In Oz.

If you want to marry in BKK, The marriage will need to be registered and then a spouse visa applied for after the marriage.

Suggest you have a good read of the Immi website regards partner/spouse visas.

[Condo]

A friend of mine just posted this on another forum and its not looking good for new applicants if its true. Here is what he wrote.

"Just put my wifes partner visa application in only to be told that the Australian govenment has changed the application process on the 7th Feburary. Now, itstead of taking up to 3 months to process, it will take up to 10 months. @@@**** bureaucrats. Not happy Jan!"

[gburns57au]

A friend of mine just posted this on another forum and its not looking good for new applicants if its true. Here is what he wrote.

"Just put my wifes partner visa application in only to be told that the Australian govenment has changed the application process on the 7th Feburary. Now, itstead of taking up to 3 months to process, it will take up to 10 months. @@@**** bureaucrats. Not happy Jan!"

This has been discussed in another thread here and can not be confirmed...therefore we still go by the Immigration website guidelines. It has previously been a rumour that popped its head up here a couple of years ago.

As it has been discussed, Personally I dont see the need to rehash it on this thread.

[Condo]

A friend of mine just posted this on another forum and its not looking good for new applicants if its true. Here is what he wrote.

"Just put my wifes partner visa application in only to be told that the Australian govenment has changed the application process on the 7th Feburary. Now, itstead of taking up to 3 months to process, it will take up to 10 months. @@@**** bureaucrats. Not happy Jan!"

This has been discussed in another thread here and can not be confirmed...therefore we still go by the Immigration website guidelines. It has previously been a rumour that popped its head up here a couple of years ago.

As it has been discussed, Personally I dont see the need to rehash it on this thread.

I just asked him where he got his information and was it off the website and this was his reply, Also have one friend I helped with his paperwork and it has now been over 4 months.

"Not website Im in Bangkok now and lodged application today at vsf office. Quote from the 'Acknowledgement of valid application for a Partner visa'- "The average processing time for partner visa application is 10 months from the day you lodge your application. For more information, please visit Departments website http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/visas/" I tried to visit so called website and get a big 'You don't have permission to access /about/charters/client-services-charter/visas/ on this server.' Excellent service and it only cost 54050 baht. Scuse the cynicism Im a little jaded right now. Speaking of jaded anybody see that excellent show on SBS called 'Immigration Nation'"

[gburns57au]

Scrubs, in answer to your original post.

1) 6 months worth of payslips and/or your income tax return ststement should suffice, letter from employer is good suporting evidence but not essential.

2) letters, photos, and money transfers are all good, my wife kept a book with our SMS messages written out in it. What you have is probably enough but anything you have that adds strength can be used. Bearing in mind the Stat decs and your two relationship statements are also part of that evidence.

3) I wouldnt recommend lying about the heart condition....You should always answer any questions that the Embassy asks honestly

4) The new permanent visa processing centre is in Brissy....that may have something to do with the floods. Just found this on the website

http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/visas/5.0.htm

Edited February 24, 2011 by gburns57au

[Condo]

Scrubs, in answer to your original post.

1) 6 months worth of payslips and/or your income tax return ststement should suffice, letter from employer is good suporting evidence but not essential.

2) letters, photos, and money transfers are all good, my wife kept a book with our SMS messages written out in it. What you have is probably enough but anything you have that adds strength can be used. Bearing in mind the Stat decs and your two relationship statements are also part of that evidence.

3) I wouldnt recommend lying about the heart condition....You should always answer any questions that the Embassy asks honestly

4) The new permanent visa processing centre is in Brissy....that may have something to do with the floods. The process time is still roughly 3 months for Offshore applications at this time, Onshore applications may take longer as partner separation is not an issue.

Quick question gburns57au, do you happen to work for the department of immigration?

[gburns57au]

Quick question gburns57au, do you happen to work for the department of immigration?

Nope.....wouldnt be able to make comments here if I did.

Lets just say that I have been commenting on visa enquiries here for a long time, while in my job I may touch on visa/immigration issues, I am by no means a professional agent or immigration worker.

Edited February 24, 2011 by gburns57au

[Condo]

Scrubs, in answer to your original post.

1) 6 months worth of payslips and/or your income tax return ststement should suffice, letter from employer is good suporting evidence but not essential.

2) letters, photos, and money transfers are all good, my wife kept a book with our SMS messages written out in it. What you have is probably enough but anything you have that adds strength can be used. Bearing in mind the Stat decs and your two relationship statements are also part of that evidence.

3) I wouldnt recommend lying about the heart condition....You should always answer any questions that the Embassy asks honestly

4) The new permanent visa processing centre is in Brissy....that may have something to do with the floods. The process time is still roughly 3 months for Offshore applications at this time, Onshore applications may take longer as partner separation is not an issue.

Quick question gburns57au, do you happen to work for the department of immigration?

Nope.....wouldnt be able to make comments here if I did.

Lets just say that I have been commenting on visa enquiries here for a long time, while in my job I may touch on visa/immigration issues, I am by no means a professional agent or immigration worker.

No further questions!

[gburns57au]

No further questions!

Whatever

[scrubs]

Thanks to everyone for their help.

On page 33 of Booklet 1 I found the following:

"If you are granted a Prospective Marriage visa, your marriage can take place either in or outside Australia, but you must have entered Australia at least once on the Prospective Marriage visa before the marriage takes place. In addition, your marriage must occur within the 9-month validity period of your Prospective Marriage visa."

This is why I think that lodging a NOIM (or the Thai equivalent) with a church in Thailand would be accepted. This is what I did. I don't think you can lodge this with the amphur though you have to get married there in order for the marriage to be legal. I think that, considering its Thailand, they would assume that you would go to the amphur afterwards.

About the time to process the visa I can only hope that it will be 3 months or less. I have read that the 3-4 months standard quote is mainly for partner visa applications and fiance visas take less time. I also read that if there are children involved, or one of you has been married before it would take longer. None of these things apply to me so I am hoping that, if I provide a complete application it can all be finished quickly.

[gburns57au]

Thanks to everyone for their help.

On page 33 of Booklet 1 I found the following:

"If you are granted a Prospective Marriage visa, your marriage can take place either in or outside Australia, but you must have entered Australia at least once on the Prospective Marriage visa before the marriage takes place. In addition, your marriage must occur within the 9-month validity period of your Prospective Marriage visa."

This is why I think that lodging a NOIM (or the Thai equivalent) with a church in Thailand would be accepted. This is what I did. I don't think you can lodge this with the amphur though you have to get married there in order for the marriage to be legal. I think that, considering its Thailand, they would assume that you would go to the amphur afterwards.

About the time to process the visa I can only hope that it will be 3 months or less. I have read that the 3-4 months standard quote is mainly for partner visa applications and fiance visas take less time. I also read that if there are children involved, or one of you has been married before it would take longer. None of these things apply to me so I am hoping that, if I provide a complete application it can all be finished quickly.

I stand corrected then....and thanks for pointing it out.

You are the first person in over 5 years that I have heard of take that course.

[Condo]

Thanks to everyone for their help.

On page 33 of Booklet 1 I found the following:

"If you are granted a Prospective Marriage visa, your marriage can take place either in or outside Australia, but you must have entered Australia at least once on the Prospective Marriage visa before the marriage takes place. In addition, your marriage must occur within the 9-month validity period of your Prospective Marriage visa."

This is why I think that lodging a NOIM (or the Thai equivalent) with a church in Thailand would be accepted. This is what I did. I don't think you can lodge this with the amphur though you have to get married there in order for the marriage to be legal. I think that, considering its Thailand, they would assume that you would go to the amphur afterwards.

About the time to process the visa I can only hope that it will be 3 months or less. I have read that the 3-4 months standard quote is mainly for partner visa applications and fiance visas take less time. I also read that if there are children involved, or one of you has been married before it would take longer. None of these things apply to me so I am hoping that, if I provide a complete application it can all be finished quickly.

I stand corrected then....and thanks for pointing it out.

You are the first person in over 5 years that I have heard of take that course.

It seems you better start reading a bit more carefully before posting your own views, and pretending you know it all.

I've read your past posts over the last couple of years and in general they are very helpful, but just because you havant heard it from the horses mouth yourself doesn't mean its not true.

The information was posted by a friend who submitted his application at the Bangkok VSF Office yesterday, and that was the information he was given. (He has no reason to lie)

As I also have said I helped two other friends with their paperwork, both lots of documents were complete and in full. One was 3.5 months and that was two months ago and the other has been about 4.5 months and still waiting.

So please try not to be a know at all and give advise by all means but if you dont know dont pretend to, as it becomes confusing to people seeking help.

Edited February 24, 2011 by Condo

[gburns57au]

It seems you better start reading a bit more carefully before posting your own views, and pretending you know it all.

I've read your past posts over the last couple of years and in general they are very helpful, but just because you havant heard it from the horses mouth yourself doesn't mean its not true.

The information was posted by a friend who submitted his application at the Bangkok VSF Office yesterday, and that was the information he was given. (He has no reason to lie)

As I also have said I helped two other friends with their paperwork, both lots of documents were complete and in full. One was 3.5 months and that was two months ago and the other has been about 4.5 months and still waiting.

So please try not to be a know at all and give advise by all means but if you dont know dont pretend to, as it becomes confusing to people seeking help.

You obviously didnt read the link I posted a few posts back from the Immigration Service Charter,

This actually supports what has been said.

However this is the limit that they have set within which to process applications from all countries. Having read a little deeper it seems that other countries have longer processing times than Thailand and some shorter. The processing times we talk about here is the average time taken for applications in Thailand as related to us by members and as was written on the Immigration website, that time is roughly 3 months. Upto this time there have been only a few instances where the applications have dragged out beyond 6 months that we have heard about here.

Regards the two applications you assisted with, the first one falls into the average, the second one is starting to extend out a bit (still within the charter limits though). By whose standard was the application deemed to be complete and in full, was it yours or Immigrations? Each application is judged on its own merits and if immigration are not happy with something, even what has been said at interview, then the process can take longer than the average.

Finally, I have never said that I was an expert and sometimes I get it wrong, as do the experts from time to time. At least I can put my hand up and admit my mistakes.

And who do you work for?

Edited February 25, 2011 by gburns57au

[Condo]

It seems you better start reading a bit more carefully before posting your own views, and pretending you know it all.

I've read your past posts over the last couple of years and in general they are very helpful, but just because you havant heard it from the horses mouth yourself doesn't mean its not true.

The information was posted by a friend who submitted his application at the Bangkok VSF Office yesterday, and that was the information he was given. (He has no reason to lie)

As I also have said I helped two other friends with their paperwork, both lots of documents were complete and in full. One was 3.5 months and that was two months ago and the other has been about 4.5 months and still waiting.

So please try not to be a know at all and give advise by all means but if you dont know dont pretend to, as it becomes confusing to people seeking help.

You obviously didnt read the link I posted a few posts back from the Immigration Service Charter,

This actually supports what has been said.

However this is the limit that they have set within which to process applications from all countries. Having read a little deeper it seems that other countries have longer processing times than Thailand and some shorter. The processing times we talk about here is the average time taken for applications in Thailand as related to us by members and as was written on the Immigration website, that time is roughly 3 months. Upto this time there have been only a few instances where the applications have dragged out beyond 6 months that we have heard about here.

Regards the two applications you assisted with, the first one falls into the average, the second one is starting to extend out a bit (still within the charter limits though). By whose standard was the application deemed to be complete and in full, was it yours or Immigrations? Each application is judged on its own merits and if immigration are not happy with something, even what has been said at interview, then the process can take longer than the average.

Finally, I have never said that I was an expert and sometimes I get it wrong, as do the experts from time to time. At least I can put my hand up and admit my mistakes.

And who do you work for?

I havnt seen you link but is it the same as this, or is this updated?

http://www.immi.gov....r/visas/5.0.htm

[Old Croc]

What about you Condo?

You are critising others here, yet you are the one giving pretty dodgy advice. Telling people to lie (by ommission) on their applications is a very ordinary thing to do.

What are your credentials?

[bridge]

gbBurns57 provides his opinion only, and for the most part he has been extremely helpful for a long period of time now. I think he signature line sums it up perfectly, "Any comment on visa issues is merely an opinion and should be taken as such".

In any event no one should rely solely on any information contained in this or any other forum. The Migration Regulations are being amended frequently and information can become outdated very quickly.

Anyway, just my opinion.

[7by7]

To remind people that all advice posted here is given freely, and is the poster's opinion based on their knowledge of rules and procedures, or lack of it!

It is up to individual members whose advice they take; if anyones.

By all means, disagree with each other and offer a different opinion; and be prepared to accept being corrected from official sources ( as gBurns57au has done earlier in the topic).

However, personal remarks such as "It seems you better start reading a bit more carefully before posting your own views, and pretending you know it all." are out of order and any further such will not be tolerated.