Help applying for defacto spouse visa in OZ

pixie_girl77
Junior Member



Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Sydney - from Vancouver

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:26 am

 

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Just got an email reply from the same immigration agent (thought he was a lawyer, but in fact he's an agent).
He says to declare my plans at immigration, to tell them I'm traveling with my Aussie bf who is returning home for work, and that I plan to apply for a spouse visa! This seems against all that I've read in these forums, but he is an agent. I think I'll print the email and show it to immigration at the airport if I need to!

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pixie_girl77
Junior Member



Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Sydney - from Vancouver

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:49 am

 

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UPDATE
Ok. Just phoned the Australian High Commission in Canada and was told basically everything I've read in posts - that it's not okay to come in on an ETA visa with the intention of applying for a spouse visa (or any visa to stay). It's ok if it happens(like you come in as a visitor and fall in love) , but you can't have the intention to apply.
She said I should have applied from Canada, that it's cheaper and faster (3months compared to 5 or 6 in OZ).

Great. We leave in 6days.

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cherieboberry1
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Posts: 41
Location: Melbourne AUS

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:12 pm

 

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I am in the same situation.got my Work permit online in Canada and came over with my Aussie bf. I had no problem coming into the country, they didn't even want to see my work visa paperwork. I just lodged my defacto visa and they just extend your visa you entered with(give you a bridge visa) while you wait for them to decide on your residency. If they ask you at customs be honest, it is not up to them to decide your residency so I don't think it will matter much. If you have a ligit work visa to enter and you are not a criminal etc. you really don't have much to worry about. As soon as you are in Australia get started on your defacto visa.it's alot of paperwork and petty things to get done before you can lodge it. Stop stressing! If your relationship is genuine and you have proof you have been together for over a year that's all you can do. Just try and get your fingerprints and criminal record check done in Canada and bring it with you! Takes over 3 months to come in the mail and you need it for your visa application. If you need any help or have any more questions just ask I know how hard it was for me to figure it all out on my own.

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comet555
Super Member



Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 197
Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:02 am

 

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Even though you already have an agent I would still call one of the ones I mentioned early. They may have some more helpful advice for you.

Is your agent MARA registered? Who are you using?

Another option to consider is to get a quick working holiday visa if you are under 30. That way you are able to work in Australia and you might be fine as long as you can prove that you have the funds to buy a return ticket.

Other than that there's not much else I can say. Definitely, definitely ask on the forum or one of the agents.

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comet555
Super Member



Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 197
Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:12 am

 

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If you're not sure if your agent is MARA registered you can look here:
http://www.themara.com.au/Online/ARSearch.asp?DeptID=140

If they're not MARA registered I'd be concerned.

Also you are entering on a tourist visa with a one way ticket. That's a lot different than entered on a working visa.

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misterbig
Junior Member



Joined: 22 Jun 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Sydney

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:34 am

 

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I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea to come on a tourist visa then apply for spouse visa. You have to be out of the country, then re-enter to activate the spouse visa. Spouse visas for Cdns are pretty quick, mine took 3 months once all the supporting doc was done.

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pixie_girl77
Junior Member



Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Sydney - from Vancouver

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:41 pm

 

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Thanks for all the info guys. As it turns out, the customs guy here didn't ask anything at all! All that stress for nothing. I wasn't doing anything wrong anyway!
Now onto the paperwork. I'm sure I'll have questions about all that! Thank god for forums like this one!

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