Canadian moving to Australia on spousal Visa

[nwellon]

Hi there:

I am new to this forum, and finding it so helpful. I am really thankful I found a forum strictly for Canadians moving to Australia.

My husband moved to Australia when he was 12 from Newfoundland with his Mom, sister and step-father. His step-father is originally from Scotland, but obtained a permanent residency. My husband moved back to Canada 7 years ago - we met, and he never moved back!. We are now married with a 3 yr old daughter.

We have recently made the decision to move to Australia from Toronto. Since my husband has his permanent residency, myself and our daughter are applying under the spousal Visa. My husband is actually booked on a one way to leave on march 15th - and I'm starting to freak out!!!!!

My husbands family lives just outside of Melbourne (Sunbury(, and that's who we'll be staying with. I'm so excited, but so sad to leave my family. I'm also nervous, and anxious. I have confidence that I will enjoy it, but I'm scared of getting extremely homesick.

Is there anyone on this forum that's in the same position as myself?.

I'm also worried about having another child in Australia, and not being able to bring it back to Canada?. I'm worried about being stuck there!.

If there is anyone whom can offer some advice, that would be greatly appreciated!

Also, is there anyone who is living in the Sunbury area?

Thanks

Nicole

[comet555]

I'm not really in the same position, but there are lots of people coming over on spouse visas from the UK on this site:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Spouse visa discussion here:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthre ... pouse+visa
Not sure how much of it would be relevant or helpful because I've never really read through it.

I think there are a couple of people on this board that came on spouse visas. This board is great because it's Canadian but it doesn't get a lot of activity.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it, but it will take a bit of effort on your part to get out there to some moms groups or other meet ups and meet some people. There is a Canadian group in Melbourne I think.
http://www.meetup.com/The-Melbourne-Exp ... tup-Group/

I'm just curious why you think you wouldn't be able to bring the child back to Canada? Canadians can hold Australian/Canadian citizenship so your child would be the same. If you came over as permanent residents then any baby you have would be an Australian citizen at birth. You'd then have to apply for Canadian citizenship (through you) and then get the baby a passport. No real issues with that, just the paperwork. So you would not be stuck here.

The only exception to this is that you yourself would need to have been born inside Canada and be a Canadian citizen by birth. So if you are a citizen but were born overseas then you wouldn't be able to pass it on to your overseas born child by birth. But..... if you were born in Canada then no worries and you are able to pass your citizenship to any children born overseas.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informatio ... -faq02.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/proof-how.asp

[nwellon]

Hi there:

Thanks for your reply. I am a candadian citizen, born here and lived here my whole life.

Do you live in Australia now?

Thanks again for your help - it's much appreciated

Nicole

[comet555]

Yes, we're in Australia now. We moved to Brisbane in May 2007, we love it here.

[marmoura81]

Hi Nicole and comet555,

I am in a similar position to as you. I am a Canadian born citizen.

My husband and I live and work in Toronto. We are 27 and 29. Recently we have been contemplating moving to Australia for a number of reasons, but mostly for it's warmer climate. I have a minor neuralgic condition that is made worse by the cold weather during the winter here in Canada.

I am anxious because I've never been to Australia, although others, including those that have lived in both countries, have confirmed it's very much like Canada in terms of way of life, economy, healthcare, cost of living, etc. We do plan, however, to visit Oz very soon.

That said, I'm worried that I might regret the decision. We both don't have family that we would be leaving behind, but I am very concerned about leaving our established jobs to just "up-and-move" to a new country. They say, "what you know is better than what you don't."

I don't know, what do you think?
Mary

[nwellon]

Hi Mary:

It was nice to read your post...it's nice to know that I'm not alone!. Have you considered what Visa you will apply under, and if you'll get into Australia?. Apparently they have strict guidelines, and only accept people with trades they are in need of. We are lucky because my husband moved there in 1996, and has been a permanent resident ever since. I shouldn't have any problem getting my Visa as I am his wife. I'm actually about 6 weeks away from getting my Visa.

I understand what you're saying about being unsure about leaving your jobs, and you lives here. But what is life about?....taking a risk?. Taking a leap of faith?. That's how I'm looking at it - I have an opportunity of a lifetime to experience travelling and living in another country. I unfortunately, have to leave my entire family behind (We're all very close), but I am so excited to see what Australia has in store for myself and our 3 yr old daughter. We will also be very close to my husbands family, so we're not leaving family entirely.

In my opinion, I'd say go for it. Most of all, get out of this nasty weather!!!. I'm definitely looking forward to not seeing snow for a while

If I can assist you in any way, please let me know. Take care.

Nicole

[marmoura81]

Hi Nicole,

Good to hear from you!! I've sent you a pm, don't know if you've accessed it. It would be nice to chat on msn.

Yes, we have looked into it as skilled workers because both our professions are on "the list." My husband is a Pharmacist and I'm an HR Manager with an MBA. We will apply under my husband's profession and I think I get extra points because of my education. Thank heavens for that ! Otherwise it would have been more difficult because we don't have other family that could sponsor us there yet. This way we are eligible for PR immediately.

About risk, no one knows it better than me. I love to travel and I've always taken risks, but this is a HUGE one, Nic! My husband thinks its better we decide to do it now than regret it later on, but what if the grass isn't greener on the other side? I don't want to have failed, wasted time, or even worse sacrificed our jobs .

You're right about the nasty weather. My situation is even worse because I have a condition that the winter exasperates. Nothing too serious, but it makes going out in the cold everyday unbearable...

Like you, my husband's family will eventually follow us there (immigrating to Australia from another country) although my parents will probably only visit. I'm an only child so I don't have to worry about missing my siblings - just good friends I've made who are equally important to me.

I'm most attracted to the better weather, beaches a few kms away, and the generally "happier" people. My husband tells me that he was reading a pharmaceutical statistics booklet and the Canadian rate for anti-depressant use was triple that for Australia. The weather was a major factor in the reliability of the stats. In Australia people get out more often, participate in more outdoor activities, and are generally in better shape and health. So if someone tells you you're being superficial because you want to move for the weather, those stats should be enough to retort.

OMG...listen to me - I'm trying to sell this idea on myself! Isn't that funny!

Have you heard of other people's experiences? What does your own research indicate?

Mary

[OntErin]

It's so great to read about others going through similar situations as myself.

I'm Canadian, but met my partner in 2002 while we were both working in the US. Since then, we've returned most summers to work seasonal jobs in the US and now want to settle down in Australia. I visited Oz in 2005 for four months, just to see how I'd like it, then returned in 2006 to complete an internship for my degree. Has anyone else who's applied for a spousal visa applied as a defacto spouse? I'm worried that we should maybe just apply for the prospective marriage visa, however I feel as though the length of our relationship, and the fact that we've lived together numerous times, in Oz, the US and Canada, could warrant us alright for the defacto spouse. Any thoughts from anyone else who's been through this process?

Also, I'm wondering how long the process takes from when you apply for a spousal visa to when you're actually approved and allowed to travel to Australia? Is it unreasonable to expect this to happen by July?