Marry In Australia Vs Thailand

[john_perth]

Hi all since the new style of multy entry 12 month tourist visa have become normal issue ( we have one ) it now seems more feasible to marry ones TGF here in Oz during one of her 3 month stays. We are at the stage with our relationship now that we want to marry so my question to others in a similar position as me is.......where is it best to tie the knot, here in Oz or Thailand ?

Are there any problems / advantages that I should be aware of with the marriage legalities / formalities ( I will be getting a prenup drawup ) and with the application process of the spouse visa afterwards ?

To me it makes sense to marry in Oz, then apply for a spouse visa when TGF goes back after next 3 month visa expires......we can always have another ceremony in Thailand next year so that TGF can invite all the family along.

I am sure there other guys out there who want to do the same as me .

What are your thoughts ?....any input appreciated. Regards John

[gburns57au]

Hi all since the new style of multy entry 12 month tourist visa have become normal issue ( we have one ) it now seems more feasible to marry ones TGF here in Oz during one of her 3 month stays. We are at the stage with our relationship now that we want to marry so my question to others in a similar position as me is.......where is it best to tie the knot, here in Oz or Thailand ?

Are there any problems / advantages that I should be aware of with the marriage legalities / formalities ( I will be getting a prenup drawup ) and with the application process of the spouse visa afterwards ?

To me it makes sense to marry in Oz, then apply for a spouse visa when TGF goes back after next 3 month visa expires......we can always have another ceremony in Thailand next year so that TGF can invite all the family along.

I am sure there other guys out there who want to do the same as me .

What are your thoughts ?....any input appreciated. Regards John

My view as well....I plan on marrying her on the next trip which is the last under the 12 month ME visa....then will apply for a spouse visa after she goes back. I also plan to have a Thai wedding in the future once we get everything sorted out here.

I dont think there is any disadvantage or advantage in where you get married, it boils down to what you both want.

[john_perth]

Thanks Graham for your response.

Just good to know others like yourself see no major problem with this stategy and hopefully by being married will make for a stronger visa application as opposed to the fiance visa route.

[gburns57au]

Thanks Graham for your response.

Just good to know others like yourself see no major problem with this stategy and hopefully by being married will make for a stronger visa application as opposed to the fiance visa route.

Compared to the fiancee visa route, I am sure that it does make a difference as the committment has been made already....so long as there is no hidden history such as the partner having a criminal conviction or such. Marrying in Thailand or Oz there is little difference made to the Spouse Visa Application as long as the marriage in Thailand is registered with the proper authorities.

[Mighty Mouse]

If you are considering marrying in Australia, I suggest that you take a good look at the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 330).

To my way of thinking, it has more advantages than a multiple entry visa and may have been a better choice.

[gburns57au]

If you are considering marrying in Australia, I suggest that you take a good look at the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 330).

To my way of thinking, it has more advantages than a multiple entry visa and may have been a better choice.

MM, he has the multi entry visa already...he is asking about the difference between marrying in Oz while she is on a 3 month visit within the multi entry visa and marrying in Thailand prior to applying for a spouse visa.

if you apply for a prospective spouse visa and then marry here...you will have to pay the $AUD1340 fee....then before the fiancee visa expires and after the marriage apply for a further Temporary resident visa for $820 so that she can stay here. The permanent visa will be issued 2 years after the approval of that Temp Res visa.

The advantage of marrying here on the multi entry is that when you apply for the spouse visa, one fee is payable $1340....On approval the Permanent Resident visa automatically starts to process and there is no need for further visa applications. This also applies if you have a registered marriage in Thailand and then apply for the spouse visa.

John Perth....you may find it better to a pre nup here rather than there....

[john_perth]

Thanks again Graham.....your advice seems on the money to me and yes as you pointed out MM missed the point but all in all this forum and all those who post are much appreciated by myself even if just to confirm and support my own thoughts........the price is right too.

[tuky]

John, I too am a sandgroper and we decided to marry in Thailand. Infact it was my dream marriage, if not hers. We were married at the Sathorn Amphur, from start to finish including translations, affidavits, taxi rides etc it took about 4 hours.

I suggest you do what your heart tells you as either way you are married and it is legal in both countries.

Best of luck mate and congrats...

BTW carn the Eagles

[Ozspike]

Hi John

I guess your application for tourist visa was different to mine as I had to included a stat dec stating that we would not marry while she was here on a tourist visa. but then also we got our visa the last week they were issuing single visit visa's (first week in Jan this year) so we didn't have the option of the extra trips, I would just be concerned if you marry on a Tourist visa the embassy might not look kindly on it. but this could just be me being paranoid.

I would suggest a call to the embassy just to check.

Spike (Perth)

[gburns57au]

Hi John

I guess your application for tourist visa was different to mine as I had to included a stat dec stating that we would not marry while she was here on a tourist visa. but then also we got our visa the last week they were issuing single visit visa's (first week in Jan this year) so we didn't have the option of the extra trips, I would just be concerned if you marry on a Tourist visa the embassy might not look kindly on it. but this could just be me being paranoid.

I would suggest a call to the embassy just to check.

Spike (Perth)

My understanding is that there is no problem to getting married here while on a tourist visa, my mate did this on april 1 this year on a 3 month visa.

[Mighty Mouse]

MM, he has the multi entry visa already...he is asking about the difference between marrying in Oz while she is on a 3 month visit within the multi entry visa and marrying in Thailand prior to applying for a spouse visa.

if you apply for a prospective spouse visa and then marry here...you will have to pay the $AUD1340 fee....then before the fiancee visa expires and after the marriage apply for a further Temporary resident visa for $820 so that she can stay here. The permanent visa will be issued 2 years after the approval of that Temp Res visa.

The advantage of marrying here on the multi entry is that when you apply for the spouse visa, one fee is payable $1340....On approval the Permanent Resident visa automatically starts to process and there is no need for further visa applications. This also applies if you have a registered marriage in Thailand and then apply for the spouse visa.

I realize that the OP already has a multiple entry visa, I'm suggesting that a Prospective Marriage Visa may have been a better choice in the first place.

Just for my own information, you may be able to clarify some of your information.

I understand that the fee for a Prospective Marriage Visa is AUD $1340.

With this visa, you:

* may enter Australia before you marry your fiance(é)

* may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish before your visa ceases (nine (9) months after visa grant)

* can work in Australia

* can apply for a Spouse visa in Australia after you marry your fiance(é)

* can study, but you will not have access to government funding

* may use Australia's medical expenses and hospital care assistance scheme, Medicare, but only if you are in Australia and have already applied for a Spouse visa.

You can't do most of these things on a multiple entry tourist visa.

Once married in Australia, you can then apply for a (permanent) Spouse Visa, fee AUD $820.

This is where you have confused me. You state that you must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, but according to the points listed above (taken from the Immigration web site) you go straight onto a Spouse Visa.

Fees for both will amount to AUD$2160.

By doing it this way you only need to pay for one lot of air fares....and if she is to live in Australia permanently, you only need to pay for a one-way ticket.

If you intend to marry in Australia on a multiple entry tourist visa, you MUST leave the country at the expiration of each three months. That's a lot of air fares....and then you must apply for a Spouse Visa (in Thailand) and wait up to six months for approval. That's a lot of time for a married couple to be apart.

Again, to my way of thinking, with a Prospective Marriage Visa you save money (air fares) and you are not apart during the approval process. There seems to be more advantages.

If I have mis-understood this, please show me where I am wrong.

[gburns57au]

I realize that the OP already has a multiple entry visa, I'm suggesting that a Prospective Marriage Visa may have been a better choice in the first place.

Just for my own information, you may be able to clarify some of your information.

I understand that the fee for a Prospective Marriage Visa is AUD $1340.

With this visa, you:

* may enter Australia before you marry your fiance(é)

* may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish before your visa ceases (nine (9) months after visa grant)

* can work in Australia

* can apply for a Spouse visa in Australia after you marry your fiance(é)

* can study, but you will not have access to government funding

* may use Australia's medical expenses and hospital care assistance scheme, Medicare, but only if you are in Australia and have already applied for a Spouse visa.

You can't do most of these things on a multiple entry tourist visa.

Once married in Australia, you can then apply for a (permanent) Spouse Visa, fee AUD $820.

This is where you have confused me. You state that you must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, but according to the points listed above (taken from the Immigration web site) you go straight onto a Spouse Visa.

Fees for both will amount to AUD$2160.

By doing it this way you only need to pay for one lot of air fares....and if she is to live in Australia permanently, you only need to pay for a one-way ticket.

If you intend to marry in Australia on a multiple entry tourist visa, you MUST leave the country at the expiration of each three months. That's a lot of air fares....and then you must apply for a Spouse Visa (in Thailand) and wait up to six months for approval. That's a lot of time for a married couple to be apart.

Again, to my way of thinking, with a Prospective Marriage Visa you save money (air fares) and you are not apart during the approval process. There seems to be more advantages.

If I have mis-understood this, please show me where I am wrong.

to address the multi entry issue first...

John Perth like myself have trips left that were going to be used anyway...giving me (I cant speak for John) some breathing space to set things up for the big move. We are going to use one of these trips to marry our ladies and then apply for a spouse visa. I cant afford to bring her and her son over and set up house as well as marry etc...within a 9 month period, so I am using the ME visa to spread the load. It means time apart but it cant be helped.

My understanding of the prospective spouse visa is that you have 9 months from date of grant to get married, in order for her to stay here after the marriage you have to apply for the second visa prior to the end of that 9 month period or she has to leave the country. Once she has the that visa which is equivalent of the visa that you receive after a spouse visa application is granted then the permanant visa process starts. Once she applies for that second visa she will be allowed to stay pending the result of that application (the application needs to be lodged at least two weeks before the 9 month visa expires) If the application is refused she will have to leave the country, if it is successful then she will be on the same standing as the spouse visa.

So to put it in brief...

Prospective spouse visa requires 2 applications....the first being what is known as the fiancee visa which lasts for 9 months...then a temporary resident visa needs to be applied for which will last for 2 years when a permanant visa may be issued. Cost $2160 + Health and Police checks

Spouse visa requires one application, once granted, temporary resident status is achieved from the day she arrives in the country. no further visa application is required and after 2 years from date of entry a permanant visa may be issued. $1340 + health and police checks.

I take your point about the airfares etc....I assume that John's lady like mine has been issued the ME visa whether they wanted it or not. And that John like myself wanted to bring his girl over so she can scope the lifestyle, the way he lives etc... before making the big move. The visa has been issued so it may as well be used. Once they are ready to make the big move then they can go straight for the Spouse visa rather then mess around with secondary applications that could still be rejected.

[john_perth]

Hi again all....thanks Spike and Tuky for your kind words I have been very fortunate to meet a lovely and intelligent woman in her early forties but with very little contact or knowledge of western men and no experience what so ever with foreign life styles and living conditions.

It was a real break getting the multiple entry tourist visa as I could see it would give my lady a chance to see if she liked and could cope with living away from her family and country and also give us both a chance to see if a marriage between us could be successful.

The ME tourist visa has given us the opportunity to test the waters first between us and taken away the pressure of having to apply for a prospective marriage visa.

As Graham is going through it seems a similar process as me he understands the gist of my original post....and Graham yes I agree with everything you have assumed regarding my circumstances, you are quite correct.

MM has looked at the mechanics but from a purely practical point of view I would not change the choice to apply first for a tourist visa ( given we got a 12 mth ME visa )......unless of course I could have lived in Thailand with my lady for 12 prior to popping the big question.

It just boils down to the fact that its more practical for her to test the waters here in Oz with me prior to marriage ......than for me to live with her in Udon Thani .

[Mighty Mouse]

My understanding of the prospective spouse visa is that you have 9 months from date of grant to get married, Correct.

in order for her to stay here after the marriage you have to apply for the second visa prior to the end of that 9 month period or she has to leave the country. Correct again. You apply for a Spouse Visa.

Once she has the that visa which is equivalent of the visa that you receive after a spouse visa ????? You've lost me here. application is granted then the permanant visa process starts. Once she applies for that second visa she will be allowed to stay pending the result of that application (the application needs to be lodged at least two weeks before the 9 month visa expires) If the application is refused she will have to leave the country, if it is successful then she will be on the same standing as the spouse visa. It's a Spouse Visa application, nothing else.

So to put it in brief...

Prospective spouse visa requires 2 applications....the first being what is known as the fiancee visa which lasts for 9 months...then a temporary resident visa needs to be applied for which will last for 2 years when a permanant visa may be issued. Cost $2160 + Health and Police checks Are you able to verify this statement from the Immigration web site? The only "Temporary Resident Visa" that I know of refers to business people and/or children in transit between countries.

Spouse visa requires one application, once granted, temporary resident status is achieved from the day she arrives in the country. no further visa application is required and after 2 years from date of entry a permanant visa may be issued. $1340 + health and police checks. This same principle applies whether you apply for a Spouse Visa inside or outside of Australia. You seem to be confused about "permanent visas" and "permanent residency". Permanent residency is only achieved when the immigrant has been living in Australia for a period of two years (there can be absences from the country and these are calculated up to the two year period) and the immigrant APPLIES for permanent residency. Permanent residency is not automatically given.

I take your point about the airfares etc....I assume that John's lady like mine has been issued the ME visa whether they wanted it or not. And that John like myself wanted to bring his girl over so she can scope the lifestyle, the way he lives etc... before making the big move. The visa has been issued so it may as well be used. Once they are ready to make the big move then they can go straight for the Spouse visa rather then mess around with secondary applications that could still be rejected. There is no secondary application mess, a Prospective Marriage Visa gets your fiance into Australia for nine months, allows her to travel around the country, get work if she wants, get Medicare if she needs it, allows you time to get to know each other, get married and she stays with you whilst the Spouse Visa application is considered in Australia....by Australians.

Either of you can pull the pin if you believe you have made a mistake about wanting to marry and she can fly back to Bangkok at any time.

All medical checks and police clearance checks are conducted in Bangkok prior to the Prospective Marriage Visa being granted...exactly the same as applying for a Spouse Visa.

I believe that such an arrangement has huge benefits, the least of all being financial. Like everything else about bringing your Thai partner to Australia, you need to look at all the options and PLAN ahead.

The Prospective Marriage Visa is an option that will allow you both to stay together throughout the whole process.

John Perth, you state that you wanted to "test the waters" before considering marriage. A very wise move, but it seems that from an early stage into your METV you now want to marry. Good luck to you, I wish you well.

The Prospective Marriage Visa is a bonus for those people who have already "tested the waters" over a adequate period of time and don't want to be apart whilst waiting for a Spouse Visa to be considered.

No matter what procedure you choose, there will be some drawbacks with them all.

[gburns57au]

MM...

I am not going to get involved in a discussion which basically comes down to semantics...I think you know full well what I am saying.

But just in case you dont

Temporary Resident visa is what is held by a person after a Spouse visa application has been granted.

The Permanant Visa is granted automatically without a separate application being made as long as the applicant has not done anything to cause this to not to be granted. This gives the holder Permanant Residency and has a 5 year life...there is not a need to renew this visa after it expires and the holder can remain in Australia after it expires.

[Ozspike]

Temporary Resident visa is what is held by a person after a Spouse visa application has been granted.

The Permanant Visa is granted automatically without a separate application being made as long as the applicant has not done anything to cause this to not to be granted.

My friends wife compleated the 2 years here on spouse visa in March 06, they applied for PR (which you have to do) with a new application and stat decs from friends(I did one of the stat decs for him). He called to DIMA last week and they said it is taking 6 months at the moment to approve PR Visa's.

and incase you ask they have done "nothing wrong"

Spike

[Mighty Mouse]

I am not going to get involved in a discussion which basically comes down to semantics...I think you know full well what I am saying.

It's not a matter of semantics, it's a matter of providing accurate information (as far as possible) in these threads. Many people rely on the information given in this forum so that they can make informed decisions about their future. If you can't back up your statements with facts, then at least state that your personal views are unsubstatiated.

But just in case you dont

Temporary Resident visa is what is held by a person after a Spouse visa application has been granted.

This is incorrect. Once a Spouse Visa has been granted in Thailand, the recipient is then classified as a "Permanent Resident." The recipient's passport is stamped with a Migrant, subclass 100 visa, issued by the Australian Embassy. This visa gives permanent residency and entitles the visa holder to work. (plus other benefits) Upon returning to, or entering Australia, the recipient must take their Thai passport into their regional Immigration office to have the visa verified/confirmed.

The Permanant Visa is granted automatically without a separate application being made as long as the applicant has not done anything to cause this to not to be granted. What "Permanent Visa" are you referring to here and how is it "granted automatically"?

This gives the holder Permanant Residency and has a 5 year life...there is not a need to renew this visa after it expires and the holder can remain in Australia after it expires. Once you have obtained a Migrant, subclass 100 visa, there IS an need to renew it prior to the expiration of 5 years, otherwise, if the holder leaves Australia, they won't be able to return.

I still believe you are confusing Permanent Citizenship with what you are stating about "Permanent Visa."

When a Thai National becomes an Australian Citizen, they are issued with an Australian passport and they no longer need to renew their subclass 100 visa.

........and just for the record (and this thread), Thai Nationals who come to Australia on a Visitors Visa and marry, could, and I stress the word 'could', create complications for future visas applications as they are technically in breach of their visitor visa conditions.(This information has come from an Immigration Officer - Sydney.)

[Pink Mist]

We went thru the PR exercise nearly 2 years ago, it involved submitting photos, joint accounts etc all to prove the ongoing and genuine relationship.

There were no costs involved and in our case there was no interview.

The next stage for us is Citizenship, so the 5 year thing doesn't affect us.

[Mighty Mouse]

We went thru the PR exercise nearly 2 years ago, it involved submitting photos, joint accounts etc all to prove the ongoing and genuine relationship.

There were no costs involved and in our case there was no interview.

The next stage for us is Citizenship, so the 5 year thing doesn't affect us.

To clarify what I stated in my previous post about remaining in Australia for 5 years after the granting of a Spouse Visa, there is no need to do anything if the holder of the visa does not wish to travel out of Australia, but if they do, and if they haven't applied for Residency, they will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa within the 5 year period. If the holder decides to return to Thailand and live there for long periods of time during that initial 5 year period, they risk losing their Migrant, Subclass 100 visa.

Citizenship involves a fee of AUD$120, and I wish you and the missus all the best for this application. We are eligible now also.

[Pink Mist]

We went thru the PR exercise nearly 2 years ago, it involved submitting photos, joint accounts etc all to prove the ongoing and genuine relationship.

There were no costs involved and in our case there was no interview.

The next stage for us is Citizenship, so the 5 year thing doesn't affect us.

To clarify what I stated in my previous post about remaining in Australia for 5 years after the granting of a Spouse Visa, there is no need to do anything if the holder of the visa does not wish to travel out of Australia, but if they do, and if they haven't applied for Residency, they will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa within the 5 year period. If the holder decides to return to Thailand and live there for long periods of time during that initial 5 year period, they risk losing their Migrant, Subclass 100 visa.

Citizenship involves a fee of AUD$120, and I wish you and the missus all the best for this application. We are eligible now also.

actually $240, stepson just turned 16.

[Ozspike]

Temporary Resident visa is what is held by a person after a Spouse visa application has been granted.

This is incorrect. Once a Spouse Visa has been granted in Thailand, the recipient is then classified as a "Permanent Resident." The recipient's passport is stamped with a Migrant, subclass 100 visa, issued by the Australian Embassy. This visa gives permanent residency and entitles the visa holder to work. (plus other benefits) Upon returning to, or entering Australia, the recipient must take their Thai passport into their regional Immigration office to have the visa verified/confirmed.

The Permanant Visa is granted automatically without a separate application being made as long as the applicant has not done anything to cause this to not to be granted. What "Permanent Visa" are you referring to here and how is it "granted automatically"?

This gives the holder Permanant Residency and has a 5 year life...there is not a need to renew this visa after it expires and the holder can remain in Australia after it expires. Once you have obtained a Migrant, subclass 100 visa, there IS an need to renew it prior to the expiration of 5 years, otherwise, if the holder leaves Australia, they won't be able to return.

MM

This was copied from the DIMA website.

Spouse Temporary Visa (Subclass 309) and Permanent Visa (Subclass 100)

For people from overseas to enter and stay in Australia with their partner, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. If two years after you apply the spousal relationship is ongoing, a permanent visa may be granted.

However, you may be granted a permanent visa without having to wait if you can demonstrate one of the following:

at the time you apply for the visa, you have been in a spouse relationship with your partner for five (5) years or more

at the time you apply, you have been in a spouse relationship with your partner for two (2) years or more, and there are dependent children of your relationship

your spouse was granted a Protection visa or a permanent visa under the humanitarian program and you were in the relationship before the visa was granted and this had been declared to the department at the time.

Note: Generally, you should be living with your partner in a spouse relationship at the time you apply.

[Mighty Mouse]

Spouse visas subclass 309 and subclass 100 are used only when the conditions as listed in your post, apply. Those circumstances have nothing to do with this thread or the OP's original question.

There is also Spouse visa subclass 820 and 821 that are only used in conjunction with certain conditions imposed by the Embassy. Very rarely used, and again, nothing to do with this thread.

[Ozspike]

Spouse visas subclass 309 and subclass 100 are used only when the conditions as listed in your post, apply. Those circumstances have nothing to do with this thread or the OP's original question.

I was pointing out that the only way to get PR at the first application was subclass 100, which they are not eligible for.

There is also Spouse visa subclass 820 and 821 that are only used in conjunction with certain conditions imposed by the Embassy. Very rarely used, and again, nothing to do with this thread.

MM

After reading the original post from John_Perth It would seem that as they have not been together for 5 years and don't have kids together they would be applying for Spouse Temporary Visa (Subclass 309) as apart from the Fiancee visa this is there only option.

Therefor they need to after 2 years apply for PR.

It would not be a one step process.

Spike

[Pink Mist]

Spouse visas subclass 309 and subclass 100 are used only when the conditions as listed in your post, apply. Those circumstances have nothing to do with this thread or the OP's original question.

I was pointing out that the only way to get PR at the first application was subclass 100, which they are not eligible for.

There is also Spouse visa subclass 820 and 821 that are only used in conjunction with certain conditions imposed by the Embassy. Very rarely used, and again, nothing to do with this thread.

MM

After reading the original post from John_Perth It would seem that as they have not been together for 5 years and don't have kids together they would be applying for Spouse Temporary Visa (Subclass 309) as apart from the Fiancee visa this is there only option.

Therefor they need to after 2 years apply for PR.

It would not be a one step process.

Spike

Let's get the process straight.

This is straight out of the partner migration booklet page 32.

"Applying for a Spouse visa is a 2-stage process.

You apply for a temporary and permenant visa at the one time on the same application form."

it goes on to explain the forms and stuff then,

"You are granted a temporary Spouse visa if you meet all the initial criteria. This visa remains valid untill a decision is made on your permanent visa application, which is generally 2 years after you initially applied for your Spouse visa. If you continue to meet all your legal requirements you will be granted a permanent Spouse visa."

regards all.

That's the way it worked for us.

[Mighty Mouse]

After reading the original post from John_Perth It would seem that as they have not been together for 5 years and don't have kids together they would be applying for Spouse Temporary Visa (Subclass 309) as apart from the Fiancee visa this is there only option.

Therefor they need to after 2 years apply for PR.

It would not be a one step process.

Spike

I think that you have nailed it. Subclass 309 is definitely a two step process because of the confirmation period, whereby a subclass 100 visa does not have a waiting period and therefore requires no confirmation.

When my g/f and I went through the system, we were given a subclass 100 visa, no follow up required. I have been referring to this class of visa in my posts and not giving thought to subclass 309.

It seems that the usual practice these days is to issue a subclass 309 visa.

This obviously is what Graham is referring to.

If the OP planned to marry in Australia and apply for a Prospective Spouse Visa, she would be given an 820 visa, which also requires confirmation after 2 years.

My apologies to Graham for mis-understanding his explanation on "temporary and permanent visas".

[Pink Mist]

I think we should be clear in the definitions of the visas.

[Ozspike]

Bronco

you said

"You are granted a temporary Spouse visa if you meet all the initial criteria. This visa remains valid untill a decision is made on your permanent visa application, which is generally 2 years after you initially applied for your Spouse visa. If you continue to meet all your legal requirements you will be granted a permanent Spouse visa."

But what they mean by you apply for both is depending on your situation either the temp(309) or the PR(100) is granted, If you don’t meet the criteria for PR (as explained in earlier post) you get the Temp(309).

Then you have to prove at the 2 year stage that all is still the same, which means more stat decs and proof of ongoing relationship(my friend just did it, I did a stat dec for him) DIMA ask for this.

[Pink Mist]

I quoted from the Partner Migration booklet and that's the way it happened for us.

They dont mean depending on your cicumstances, read page 6 of that booklet.

We applied from overseas and my wife needed a visa to enter the country so we have to go the 2 step process.

I dont understand how a person can be granted a permanent visa immediately when applying from overseas.

[Ozspike]

I quoted from the Partner Migration booklet and that's the way it happened for us.

They dont mean depending on your cicumstances, read page 6 of that booklet.

We applied from overseas and my wife needed a visa to enter the country so we have to go the 2 step process.

I dont understand how a person can be granted a permanent visa immediately when applying from overseas.

This is copied from DIMA web site.

"However, you may be granted a permanent visa without having to wait if you can demonstrate one of the following:

at the time you apply for the visa, you have been in a spouse relationship with your partner for five (5) years or more

at the time you apply, you have been in a spouse relationship with your partner for two (2) years or more, and there are dependent children of your relationship

your spouse was granted a Protection visa or a permanent visa under the humanitarian program and you were in the relationship before the visa was granted and this had been declared to the department at the time.

Note: Generally, you should be living with your partner in a spouse relationship at the time you apply."

So it can happen but you need to be one of the above

Spike

[Pink Mist]

Thanks for the heads up Ospike, forgot about that aspect.

Over the years this forum has provided usefull and supportive information to members, that's why it must continue to be accurate.

Thanks for your input guys.