can i marry my mrs on tourist visa

[beave]

I got a yank wife. She did her masters degree here in Oz but the amount of hoops we had to jump through was unbelieveable. It cost about 2 grand as well to apply for a spousal visa, if they knock it back and you apy again, hello another 2 gorillas.

 

[Mr_Raditch]

I've got my English gf moving over in 2 weeks on the 1 year working visa.

Anyone got any advice for what the best thing to do is if she wants to stay longer? Only been together 9 months so who knows what will happen, but surely there is options for her to stay after even if it involves getting married.

My girlfriends a yank, she now has residency & has been living here for 4 years. Was a bit of a pain in the arse to get her residency, a lot of paperwork to fill out & hoops to jump through. It cost us around $2500 for the the visa including doctors checks.
We almost were denied the spousal visa when we first applied becuase we were having trouble proving we were in a "commited" (frequently used word on applications) for 12 months before applying for the visa. The bit of evidence that got us approved was a receipt for a day spa I bought her. I thought we had blown the 2.5 grand as you get one shot & if they deny you yo can apply again but have to pay all the fees again.

Once you are approved for the spousal visa you are on that for 2 years. After the 2 years as long as you can still prove you are in a relationship you automaticall get residency. It was easy for us, filled out a couple of forms, sent them in with proof we were sharing an address, joint bank statments, lease, bills etc & her residency was approved. Nothing more needs to be paid for this. The original visa fee is all that is paid. There is no need for a immigration lawyer I.M.H.O. It's pretty simple. Though if you are marrying someone from a 3rd world country where sham marriages are common then it could be a whole different ball game as I would imagine checks & the requirement of proof would be a lot more stringent.

My advice.
You need to prove you have been in a "commited" relationship for 12 months to apply for the spousal visa.
Collect as much evidence as you can from your time together. They will only accept so many photo's. If you have been on holidays together keep reciepts for hotel rooms that have been booked in both names. Anything that is a receipt that has both of your names on it that is regarded as "a couple thing" should be held onto.
As soon as she arrives set her up with anything she needs that shows you share an address.
Bank account, phone, put her on the lease if you rent.

It's pretty straight forward to apply for & be approved for the spousal visa as long as your relationship is real & you have the evidence to show it.

 

[IanG]

With internet dating this will probably become more common too.

 

[Cerne Abbas Giant]

We did it ourselves also. Didn't need a lawyer or immigration agent.
We gave them receipts from holidays together, congratulation cards from work colleagues for our wedding, joint bank accounts, statements from close friends to validate the relationship. They granted her a temporary visa and a permanent visa will automatically be issued if the relationship is still in tact after 2 years.

 

[Dogs Of War]

If you are using a migration agent, do some research on them first. Not all are well regarded, and by using them you may be hurting your application immediately.

 

[cleary89]

My girlfriends a yank, she now has residency & has been living here for 4 years. Was a bit of a pain in the arse to get her residency, a lot of paperwork to fill out & hoops to jump through. It cost us around $2500 for the the visa including doctors checks.
We almost were denied the spousal visa when we first applied becuase we were having trouble proving we were in a "commited" (frequently used word on applications) for 12 months before applying for the visa. The bit of evidence that got us approved was a receipt for a day spa I bought her. I thought we had blown the 2.5 grand as you get one shot & if they deny you yo can apply again but have to pay all the fees again.

Once you are approved for the spousal visa you are on that for 2 years. After the 2 years as long as you can still prove you are in a relationship you automaticall get residency. It was easy for us, filled out a couple of forms, sent them in with proof we were sharing an address, joint bank statments, lease, bills etc & her residency was approved. Nothing more needs to be paid for this. The original visa fee is all that is paid. There is no need for a immigration lawyer I.M.H.O. It's pretty simple. Though if you are marrying someone from a 3rd world country where sham marriages are common then it could be a whole different ball game as I would imagine checks & the requirement of proof would be a lot more stringent.

My advice.
You need to prove you have been in a "commited" relationship for 12 months to apply for the spousal visa.
Collect as much evidence as you can from your time together. They will only accept so many photo's. If you have been on holidays together keep reciepts for hotel rooms that have been booked in both names. Anything that is a receipt that has both of your names on it that is regarded as "a couple thing" should be held onto.
As soon as she arrives set her up with anything she needs that shows you share an address.
Bank account, phone, put her on the lease if you rent.

It's pretty straight forward to apply for & be approved for the spousal visa as long as your relationship is real & you have the evidence to show it.

Cheers, much appreciated advice! Will make sure when booking stuff we do it in both our names and keep it all.

 

[Fire]

shes on a tourist visa for 3 months coming over from the philippines and will be here 3 weeks, anyone know if im able to marry her on a tourist visa?

Don't do it mate. Do you know any happily married people? I don't.

Seriously, go see the Consulate General in Brisbane here: http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy10210/

He or she have legal professionals on hand trained to deal with this. They will also be able to liaise with their Australian counter-parts and provide you with an answer.

 

[Mr_Raditch]

Cheers, much appreciated advice! Will make sure when booking stuff we do it in both our names and keep it all.

No probs.

 

[cleary89]

Out of curiosity, if have spousal visa are they ever entitled to public funds? i.e. fall unemployed, ever get the dole? Paid maternity leave? Baby bonus? etc etc.

 

[IanG]

Out of curiosity, if have spousal visa are they ever entitled to public funds? i.e. fall unemployed, ever get the dole? Paid maternity leave? Baby bonus? etc etc.

My understanding is no they have to be a permanent resident.

 

[TheFrog]

Out of curiosity, if have spousal visa are they ever entitled to public funds? i.e. fall unemployed, ever get the dole? Paid maternity leave? Baby bonus? etc etc.

You get a Medicare card upon entering Australia on a partner visa. You also have to pay Australian tax including the Medicare levy on any income you might have in Australia.

These visas involve an Australian making an undertaking to sponsor their partner, so no welfare is payable. The baby bonus no longer exists for anyone.

 

[wain]

Out of curiosity, if have spousal visa are they ever entitled to public funds? i.e. fall unemployed, ever get the dole? Paid maternity leave? Baby bonus? etc etc.

Also have been there and done that. As someone else mentioned, from memory once permanent residency kicks in (2 year checkup) then access to baby bonus and family benefits kicked in. Really, the only difference is my wife can't vote...sounds like a sweet deal to me

 

[IanG]

Then how do you in about educating her about footy?

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

well with her being here in december i think we'll get many photos and proof that we are in a real relationship, hopefully that should be enough to prove to immigration, it shouldn't take any longer than a year or two? hopefully.. and thanks for all the advice much appreciated, it worries me a bit that she wont be able to come my dad makes it sound easy..:roll:

 

[IanG]

You could also start your family early too I suppose.