Visas?

[crimsonrose]

So I've been visiting my fiance for the past two months almost, and in 6 short days I go back home for 4 months. I'm fearing the pain to the point of crying pathetically, so I figured I'd post here to distract myself.

 

We have no idea what to do about visas. I'm an American and he's australian, and I'm moving to Australia to be with him in 4 months. Fiance visas are too costly, and I have to be in America when they get approved, which takes up to a year.

 

Sooooo, any advice? What did you guys do for visas? We're thinking of marrying through the court during my next visit, and then applying for a spousal visa, but I hear this is a nono.

[Island Girl]

I am dealing with immigration for a spousal visa for my husband.

 

We were married in his country in 2006.

 

I don't know about Australia and why getting married and then applying for the spousal is a "no-no" where did you get that info?

 

The US has been difficult for us because of changes in laws and policies but we are near the home stretch.

 

The main hurdle was proof that our relationship was real. Thankfully I had a letter from the landlord when we lived together here in the US in 2002 - and letters, plane tickets, etc. from that time until we married so we didn't worry about any questions.

 

Have you researched Australia's policies? There are also a number of immigration websites where people have posted their experiences and forums that are question and answer format as well.

 

Australia should be fairly easy I would think.

And you can apply for a work visa initially if you want. I know they have TONS of job openings and are trying to get people to move there.

Then while you are on your work visa you can move toward a wedding - ?

 

I know it made a huge difference that we had an actual wedding with family members there and it was a traditional ceremony which helped us as well.

 

Does that help at all?

[crimsonrose]

I am dealing with immigration for a spousal visa for my husband.

 

We were married in his country in 2006.

 

I don't know about Australia and why getting married and then applying for the spousal is a "no-no" where did you get that info?

 

The US has been difficult for us because of changes in laws and policies but we are near the home stretch.

 

The main hurdle was proof that our relationship was real. Thankfully I had a letter from the landlord when we lived together here in the US in 2002 - and letters, plane tickets, etc. from that time until we married so we didn't worry about any questions.

 

Have you researched Australia's policies? There are also a number of immigration websites where people have posted their experiences and forums that are question and answer format as well.

 

Australia should be fairly easy I would think.

And you can apply for a work visa initially if you want. I know they have TONS of job openings and are trying to get people to move there.

Then while you are on your work visa you can move toward a wedding - ?

 

I know it made a huge difference that we had an actual wedding with family members there and it was a traditional ceremony which helped us as well.

 

Does that help at all?

 

Its a nono because if I knowingly come to australia on a simple visitor's visa, which is intended only for visits, and then marry and apply for a spousal visa, its considered visa fraud. so many people have done it, but I'm looking for any advice I can get, as this is a little risky.

 

And I'm glad yours is going well! Being an American, I know how crappy our laws are

[Island Girl]

So what about getting a work visa and moving there?

 

It is perfectly reasonable that you would continue the relationship and then it would naturally progress to marriage.

 

Wow their fiance visa is expensive. But it gives you 9 months to get everything settled and get married.

 

What does he say?

[gwynieatpain]

As far as I know, the fiance visa comes easier for migrating to AUS, given that:

 

1) It takes as quick as 4 months to grant the temp spouse visa. Then you guys have to get married IN AUSTRALIA within the next 9 months, which I believe that you are quite familiar with the whole thing.

 

2) the working visa takes around 7 months or longer depending on your age, qualification, work experience etc. If you are under 30, sponsored by a AUS employer or working in fields like Accounting, IT or medical service etc, you will be prioritized on their list. Again, you know, because of the econ crisis and everything that affect the local labor market, the gov is now slowing down the whole worker immigration program.

 

What if you guys get married overseas, I mean somewhere outside US and AUS and apply spouse visa afterward?

[taiko]

So I've been visiting my fiance for the past two months almost, and in 6 short days I go back home for 4 months. I'm fearing the pain to the point of crying pathetically, so I figured I'd post here to distract myself.

 

We have no idea what to do about visas. I'm an American and he's australian, and I'm moving to Australia to be with him in 4 months. Fiance visas are too costly, and I have to be in America when they get approved, which takes up to a year.

 

Sooooo, any advice? What did you guys do for visas? We're thinking of marrying through the court during my next visit, and then applying for a spousal visa, but I hear this is a nono.

 

I only know the US side much like Island Girl. I checked our community this is the like to the laws of Australia. http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/