Fiance interview with the Australian Embassy in Moscow

[I/O]

You'll find you're outside the unwritten annual quota (usually full by about the end of August) and they have no reason to knock you back so they'll stretch you as long as they can within the processing standards (up to 12 months IIRC), most likely until after June 30 2013 when the new quota (choke, cough) that doesn't exist starts unless you jump up and down - I did, went to our local federal member at the time who was a minister IIRC (not immigration but with access), just prior to the next election - visa issued 5 days later, surprise surprise.
 
Many applications late in the year suffer the same fate - 'sway it is ~shrug~. BTW, I don't discount the value of professional advice but to be frank, an immigration lawyer for one as simple as a prospective marriage visa is p!ssing money up against the wall unless it's mates rates.

[Izzet]

G'day
Thanks I/O yeah your right if I knew it was going to take so long I would've done it on my own and not gone through a lawyer the only reason I went through the lawyer is he said she will be here for Xmas
You think sending a letter through a minister works because I have contacts in government I know one of the ministers personally maybe I can get her to write a letter to Moscow or to immigration minister
This week has been really hard I feel our relationship is starting to change I don't know if its just me or she's starting to lose her patience and stressing
Any other info will be great in how to speed things up
This has been a fantastic forum thanks A lot guys its a great help
Izzet

[Izzet]

Question for I/O and olly who was your case officers and how long did your visas take from start to finish

[Olly]

Hi Izzet
My case officers is Yulia.

[JayH]

G'day
Thanks I/O yeah your right if I knew it was going to take so long I would've done it on my own and not gone through a lawyer the only reason I went through the lawyer is he said she will be here for Xmas
You think sending a letter through a minister works because I have contacts in government I know one of the ministers personally maybe I can get her to write a letter to Moscow or to immigration minister
This week has been really hard I feel our relationship is starting to change I don't know if its just me or she's starting to lose her patience and stressing
Any other info will be great in how to speed things up
This has been a fantastic forum thanks A lot guys its a great help
Izzet

I can't see it hurting to see what can be done-- some interesting info comes from those who have been there and done it .I would be interested in their views of trying to push harder.
 Re relationship itself-- being a basically impatient person myself I can relate to it--while I am no where near your stage at this time I have found delays or delays dealing  with bureaucracy,bookings  etc  are not handled very well at all.Any time passing seems to add to the pressure of maintaining relationship at a distance. Not much help today unfortunately -- but I wish you all the best.

[southernX]

izzet

how do you mean you feel your relationship changing with this lady ??

better ??or worse ??

waiting is a part of the process in this adventure , you both just have to suck it up and work on the positive things it will allow you to do , for her maybe she can work on her english if it needs it , start to pack up some valuables she isnt using , begin to finalise any business /tax  regs she might have there etc etc

for you put as many hours into work as possible to build up time off for when she arrives , organise your home ,painting , gardening etc  lots of positives if you look for them while you wait

hardest thing is to keep a lid on your frustrations , dont get caught up in silly disagreements with each other cause your both a bit frustrated at just waiting and not knowing WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN 

you could try the speed it up aproach with a politician if you know one , but to be honest as your application hasnt been in the system yet for more than 6 months i would not be doing that , what responses have you had from your case officer valerie ? on the waiting time when asked ??

SX

[Izzet]

Southern
i think im just being and idiot and stressing too much, her workload has increased in the last week and we havent been talking as much as we used on weekends she has been doing a lot of shopping for gifts to bring with her and a lot of housework and im getting frustrated thinking shes not putting much effort into keeping in contact with me but again i think its the frustrationand stress because i havent been going out as much as i used to on weekends  and i sit at home waiting for her to wake up so that we can talk
works been really busy and stressfull this month and though i was supposed to be on holidays this week i have cancelled it waiting for her arrival

Also the last email we got from Valerie stated that appication will be finalised mid Feb to early March i dont know how accurate that is or its a worst case scenario

thanks again youve been a great help

Izzet

[southernX]

izzet,
 have some'' faith not fear '' mate

it is a hard thing the waiting , try to understand your lady will have alot ofstuff to do as she waits , if she is still working then she will have to fit it into her schedule , and it is winter there supposedly anyway  lol , things are alittle more difficult in the winter to get around even et c,

have you discussed setting  up a regular time each day or night for skype etc , if you can do this for each week , it will give you both a sense of reliable time s for communication you can plan your routines around rather than just random times each day /week


also remember, if she is still working,coming up to xmas /new year will be busy for her at work . does her boss know she will be leaving soon , ??very likly she hasnt told them as she might fear being sacked if they know , it does happen , maybe she has told them already ?? 

now you are at the visa stage she might feel it is alittle safer to spend time on important things she must get done , as you know her and will understand if one week or so is more busy , your lady will be under a lot of strain in the enxt months, more than you are living in your home , she will give up alot to move to be with you , try to see her side of the coin , ..

im sure you willl be fine , just stay calm , patience , patience patience izzet, dont asume anything , , ask first it all part of the waiting game ,

keep yourself busy , continue to live your life , it will help to keep you in balance mate .. 

if your case officer has said feb /march , work on that until you have reason not to !!!  dont over think things too much 

IM SURE ALL WILL BE WELL 
SX

[I/O]

Also the last email we got from Valerie stated that appication will be finalised mid Feb to early March i dont know how accurate that is or its a worst case scenario

You'll find that's pretty close to the mark - they don't shoot their mouths off too much. Olga was the doll whom I spoke to about ours. Application in November, eventually she offered a 'prediction based on experience' of early July (that's when I cottoned on to the financial year quota thingy), I squeezed Ian Macfarlane in late April, visa issued May 5th.
 
She'll stress late in the deal - they do that, some survive, some don't. I began to have doubts about us, we hadn't seen each other for over twelve months and so on. Arguments started over BS etc as they do - 5 odd years of marriage, 3 kids and a lot more arguments later...............
 
BTW, the latest visitor is FIL, he's here for 6 months - didn't his eyes roll when I BBQ'd him a decent slab of prime rump LOL. He'll get the shock of his life this weekend - a dozen or so are turning up for a pre Christmas 'warm up' BBQ - baked ham for starters and the whole shooting match. MIL can prep a pretty decent layout but even she shakes her head about Christmas here LOL.

[Izzet]

Southern
thanks heaps for the advice mate you've been great Im not very good at opening up to things and hold a lot of stuff inside but this forum and you guys on it have been great again thanks your spot on all that's needed is patience, she works when Im at home and she's asleep when Im working so again its frustration and and I have this week let her be at work and not disturb her with messages and etc
Her bosses know she's leaving eventually and the staff have been giving her a hard time so I told her not to get angry and they're all just jealous of her leaving and all the gifts I've been sending her she seems fine now

I/O
Thanks for your input its been great aswell your right aswell its all bs arguments and I know we will be perfect once were reunited again and get married and live the rest of our lives together with 3 kids aswell apparently that's what I've been told so
Thanks guys any other advice will be great and cheers guys
Izzet

[southernX]

izzet

coupla things from this quote below of yours 

   i know we will be perfect once were reunited again and get married and live the rest of our lives together with 3 kids aswell apparently that's what I've been told so
Thanks guys any other advice will be great and cheers guys

bear in mind i mean this below in the nicest way lol 

life wont be perfect, there will be many happy times !!!,  but expect you will both have some major adjusting to do if you want success in the long term ,

YOU   must expect it will be bloody hard in the first few months , maybe even 2 years or so , especially for her , understanding this is your key to success , it will cause you possibly a lot of issues , small ones that can become big if YOU dont exercise patience , patience patience , i dont mean for you to be a door mat , but she will possibly show signs of being a different person at times as stress and culture shock impact on the lovely lady you now know , expect it , read up on it ,

 YOU will be her entire world once she arrives, here , it will be up to you to be the solid one , to take on the load for both of you , until she finds her feet, she will have some days that might cause you to question wtf??  dont give in to the frustration of it !! dont start to question your relationship , just stick to your plans , be reliable , be forgiving , have patience
love her to death , in all the small ways you are now ,

contray to what others may say , it won be perfect, you will have many moment of doubt , dont let it feed on its self within you 

 in time , once you both settle into each other , living together 24/7  it will be as close to perfect as you will get in this life with a partner , the trust and bond of love you will build together , will be rock solid , but YOU must !!! stay the course , keep your expectations real izzet ,

while she waits if her work mates know she is going they will have abig impact on her daily /weekly moods etc, the waiting time for her is a hard time , i mean you know what her  life will be like with you ?/right    or at least you have some idea of it , ?? for her unless she has visited you already in your home , she will be putting all her life , aspirations , trust , in your hands to value it and look after her ??

no matter how her life is right now , she at least knows its daily routine , the worst or best it can be in her experience, leaving all that behind is a huge thing , with alot of unknowns for her ,

lots of doubts, can arise for her  will your marriage work ??, will you change ,??  etc etc you will have some of the same feelings , but at least you know all that is your life here already & how to cope with that stuff in australia , she doesnt 

that is a big ask ??could you do the same izzet ??, for me i dont think i could have tbh     when any of us consider what these ladys do it really makes you appreciate them alot more

last question ? are you talking /hoping into the future after your married ?? 3 children ??   

  or now as in you already have some yours/ hers ?? ages , time with you or the ex izzet ?

hope its not too personal , but it will also be a factor for you to really look at if you have some already 

sorry for the long post ,  lol hope it gives you some food for thought ,
have faith not fear !!!

SX

[JayH]

Excellent common sense and practical advice form the Aussies here.It all seems obvious enough and at the least it reinforces so many little potential issues and how much patience,tolerance and understanding is required. Ant relationship needs it-- but by multiples in dealing with someone who is changing their life so dramatically . For guys that have not been in long relationship there is a lot of adjusting to do.Thanks to Bob and I/O -- we all owe you both for the common sense in this thread.

[Izzet]

Southern
mate no kids on both ends thats what weve talked about and hoped for
mate you have been fantastic with your advice and words of wisdom
she is my life at the moment and will be forever it was fantastice and really good up untill the last week she actually questioned if i still loved her this morning and i said to her that she never needs to ask me that ever again and then she actually i think came to
i will surprise her with a big bunch of flowers and a nice big card tommorow at work
thanks again guys as usual cheers

[southernX]

she actually questioned if i still loved her this morning and i said to her that she never needs to ask me that ever again and then she actually i think came to
i will surprise her with a big bunch of flowers and a nice big card tommorow at work

if your lady is anything like mine she  has  radar like no other known to man   

they can pick up on any small insignificant thing sometimes , something small & start to give it a deeper meaning or try to interpret your intent , good or bad ,
hence the importance of sticking to your message of the reliable , consistent bloke , who loves her no matter what .

at the start it is difficult ime for them to believe you are a solid guy , its like they want to believe in it , but there is there past history   [same as ours ] that has conflictng experiences , so at times , doubt will creep in , they almost expect it not to  be true or at some stage it/you will change into their inner most fears

good stuff  to send the flowers , your support and understanding will see you through this waiting izzet


 i still give my darling flowers for no reason at all , just random 

best wishes
SX

[Izzet]

Southern again mate your input has been fantastic you've really helped ease my mind and given me comfort here I am thinking in the only going through this when its all normal mate she is my life and everything I have to live for

I/O just a quick one for you the letter you aren't through the MP what did you ask for and what was put in the letter I've spoken to my solicitor he thinks its s great idea and he said he will forward it to officer I'd love to know how what was in the letter and what to ask the MP for

Thanks guys
Izzet

[southernX]

izzet ,

lots of couples  have been through what you are doing right now , 

trick is to stay balanced & positve along the way , for both of you while you wait ,, the time will pass, even though it feels like eternity at present 

part of that is to take on board outside info , listen to it , & then decide what to keep that will be of use to you both , including mine , lol 

keeping yourselves busy ,keep enjoying the things you like , sport, golf , sailing , whatever ,     being relatively physically  busy keeps you sane ,

 i used a very close mate to bounce stuff off, this helped keep me in check and all things in perspective .[my mate was a10 year FSU/AM  marriage veteran ,

sharing info and advice where it may help is all part of the adventure imho ,
happy if some of it helps others , cause i used others to help me 

SX

[Izzet]

southern mate again your advice has priceless
thanks heaps

[FlyinghighUA]

Hi all,
About to leave Kiev after spending a happy year living here with my fiancé (we have been together since oct 11').
Don't really want to leave but money makes the world go round and so it is back to work (in darwin) for me.
Anyway,
The embassy in Moscow received our application on November the 7th and my fiancé had her interview over the phone yesterday (15th of Jan). At the end of the interview they said they would contact her soon re: medical check.
We had a stack of documents and photos including our lease agreement from living together in ukraine, lots of photos and letters from family and friends etc.
I just wanted to get your opinions on how long you think it will be from here to approval?
Any advise on speeding the process up?
Thanks in advance all

[Izzet]

Hi guys and a happy new year to you all
Quickly I approached Hon Joe Hockey last week and his office has sent mail to Moscow stating that he has a special interest in my application I wonder if that's going to speed things up or make things easier
Any ideas will be great
Izzet

[FlyinghighUA]

Update from my previous post.
Today the embassy called (at 7am kiev time!!) and have her a number to call re: medical :-).
Seems wheels are turning but I would still appreciate opinions... I leave Kiev tomorrow afternoon.

[I/O]

I/O just a quick one for you the letter you aren't through the MP what did you ask for and what was put in the letter I've spoken to my solicitor he thinks its s great idea and he said he will forward it to officer I'd love to know how what was in the letter and what to ask the MP for

Sorry I missed this post - I asked the 'member' to investigate and provide and answer as to whether or not the visa would be approved, I noted in the letter I didn't care when, I just wanted the if. I got more than I asked for - visa in about 5 days lol. Maybe that was going to happen anyway, I dunno.

[Faux Pas]

Hi guys and a happy new year to you all
Quickly I approached Hon Joe Hockey last week and his office has sent mail to Moscow stating that he has a special interest in my application I wonder if that's going to speed things up or make things easier
Any ideas will be great
Izzet

Joe Hockey? Is this a real name?

[I/O]

Joe Hockey?

Yep.

[Anotherkiwi]

Yep.

Minister for Sports?     Or for Osculation? 

[I/O]

Minister for Sports?

Minister for effall right now - shadow treasurer.