Prospective Marriage Visa questions

I am wondering if anyone has gone through the Prospective Marriage Visa process that would be willing to share their experiences. My fiance (who is an Australian citizen by birth) and I (a CDN citizen) have just gone through the process of gathering all of the required supporting documentation and have submitted the paperwork and are now waiting for the Australian High Commission in Ottawa to contact us.

There are a few things that are somewhat confusing, such as whether or not I should have submitted fingerprints. When I contacted the AHC to ask, they advised that I didn't need to submit them since I am a CDN resident and do not have a criminal record. After reading the website again, I am not sure that I was directed correctly.

Also, when my fiance spoke to the AHC and the Department of Immigration in Australia, they said for CDN's usually just a chest x-ray is required. Once again, while reviewing the website it appears that for a permanent visa a medical is required as well. Does it depend on the country that you are applying from as to what type of tests are required?

I read somewhere that telephone interviews are usually conducted, has anyone been through one before? I am just trying to get a sense of the next steps that we will have to go through, the waiting is difficult at times.

Thank you.

Hi There,

You have most likely figured this out by now but I'll post it anyway.

I am an Australian Citizen and Canadian Permanent resident and my wife is a Canadian Citizen (And now Australian Permanent resident).

We submitted an Australian PR application for my wife (Spouse Sponsored)in March 2008 and had it all approved by July 2008.

I know the Visas are different but the process is similar.

You won't need an RCMP fingerprint check if you don't have a Canadian criminal record but you should have submitted something from the RCMP that says you have no record. (From memory this was a small yellow slip of paper with the RCMP stamp)

With regards to medical, we just went to an immigration approved doctor who did take a chest x-ray and did a HIV blood test. For a prospective marriage visa the test may be different but all they want to rule out is TB and HIV...

The process is very dependant on which country you apply from, Canada is considered low risk so the process is streamlined.

As for the interview, I've known 4 other Canadians who have gone through the process and none have been called for an interview. If there is something unusual about your application you may be called for clarification but for Canadians it's generally a non issue... I wouldn't worry about it.

The best thing to do with you application is to include lot's of "personal proof" such as photos of trips you have taken, proof you have lived together. etc.

If something is missing, you will get a letter saying "we need xxxx to proceed" The application won't be cancelled and most likely means it will be approved once they get what they need.

The processing or Australian Visas was much quicker than the Canadian one and I found the case workers were more accessible and able to provide more information that their Canadian counterparts (may have to do with workloads)