Australian 300 class Prospective spouse visa - Our time line .

[supraman]

G'day people .   I know lots of people Are always looking for information on how long this takes .. So I thought I would start a thread and update as things progess , in an attempt to give people a running update .
   Our Application was received ( Moscow Embassy ) on the 1st of November 2013, We have received our case number within a few days and after the first week we were already asked to supply "  certified " letters from friends  ( we gave 4 - uncertified ) . We now need to do them all again but this time by using the form 888 which is a Statutory declaration form solely for this purpose  .All forms need to be certified on every page  .   So no biggy , to do this , but it did take about 2 weeks to get everyone organised and certified - Luckily my brother and two friends are able to certify.
  We will also be lodging a tourist visa on this Friday 22nd of November 2013 .
   So if you are about to go through this ,, make sure your supporting letters are all done on this form 888 first .It will save you time later .
   We are also not sure what to make of the fact that they wanted extra info so soon ,, At least it means someone has already looked at it -- Maybe ?   Will update soon .
  Oh and Ps -- We will be doing her medical test here as she would prefer it here than there . Since she now has the case number to attach to the forms it will get sent directly to the embassy afterwards ( or so I am told   )   

[JayH]

Sounds like good news. What type of visa is this for?What are the "certified"   "letters from friends" ? What are they? Are they are personal reference about you? Saying what? !!! Is the certifying of your end of the documents?
I reckon 2 weeks of form filling is close!!!!! lol

[supraman]

Hi J ,Sorry for the long post -Jeezz .  this is all for the Prospective spouse visa 300 . As part of the paper work required ,they ask that you supply some letters from family and friends . Not too sure as to why they need them ,   but I assume it just helps them paint the picture that she did stay with me , we did do things together and such .. From memory the form basically asks 3 questions of these letters of support . Although it does not say it directly , it is of benefit that all your support letters come from fellow Ozzy residents .
   Here is the link to the form 888   http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/888.pdf
  I was told by several people including SouthernX that they wish to see as much evidence as possible ,so we got friends and family to write some letters , on top of all the other stuff-- photos , emails ,Skype records , ticket receipts ect ..
 I suppose using this form gives them the answers they want rather than just a letter from some one .
  with this form there are 2 pages of questions for your family or friends . They must take these forms and a copy of their passport or drivers licence also to a Chemist, school teacher , post office ... Google who can certify and you will get a list
   Both myself and my lovely lady require documents to be "certified "as well as her needing to have other documents notorized and or Apostled .  You will be surprised to find the list they will give your lady as it will be a lot longer than your required paperwork ( at your end at least )    
  It took us about 2 months to get every thing together . My end was pretty quick with the longest wait being for the police clearance , which I knew was not going to be a problem and I received this back in about 10 days from asking for it . So remember to be a good boy if you want to look at foreign relationships 
  Here is the list of required paperwork -- please note you will require more than it states -- and this will vary from person to person I believe . I will also add you need to have a venue booked and paid for ( deposit ) also a celebrant paid for ( deposit ) which is hard when you do not know when it will get approved
##################pasted from Immi below .Hope it all helps

Sponsor
Signed sponsorship form 40SP: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/40sp.pdf

Please fill it in by hand and send us a scanned copy. If you are not sure or don’t know what to write in a field please make a note in the form and we will help you to clarify it.
Photocopies of one of the following documents to show sponsor's employment during the last two years:

•   Australian income and/or overseas tax assessment notice for the past two years
•   A letter from sponsor's employer confirming length of employment and annual salary
•   Payslips for the past two years
•   If the sponsor is self-employed or self-funded from other sources, business documents or a letter from your sponsor's accountant

Two passport photos.
Australian passport, if you have one - certified copies of all pages.
Certified copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and divorce certificate (if applicable)
Notice of Intended Marriage with your names and date of the intended marriage. The date of the marriage should be within 9 months from the date of the grant.

Information on how to obtain the NoIM form:
http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Marriage_Formarriagecelebrants_Noticeofintendedmarriageform
Please note:
When the signature of one party to an intended marriage cannot conveniently be obtained, one party may sign and lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage form, but the other party must also sign the form in the presence of the authorised celebrant before the marriage takes place. The celebrant must be satisfied that the party who has not signed has a genuine reason for not being able to do so at the time the Notice is lodged and is fully aware of the marriage.
National Police Checks - Australian Federal Police http://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/national-police-checks.aspx - original

Statement with a detailed description of your relationship history; when you decided to marry; significant events in your relationship etc.  – signed by both you and visa applicant.

AND

Evidence of your relationship:
http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/partners/prospective/300/evidence-of-relationship.htm


The main purpose of applying for this visa is to allow you to come to Australia and then marry your intended spouse and live as husband and wife. You must genuinely intend to marry your fiancé(e). You must also genuinely intend to live with your fiancé(e) as husband and wife.

[JayH]

Thanks for the extensive reply-- I actually have all the documentation -but was interested in what they requested-- and why !!  Also of note is the paperwork they  will send her-- as you noted--it was a surprise to you.
I will remain interestedin the current process  and how it unfolds for you. All the best with it.

[southernX]

supraman
nice post ,
you will have success easily as you have history together over time , that is what they  are looking for ,
good history , documents well put together , lots of good clean evidence & supporting statements from friends etc , 

and your correct supraman , give them as much ''extra information on the relationship as you can,
if you skype, cut and paste all of your conversations and the log times ,
print off all emails , phone records ,

Sorry for the long post -Jeezz .  this is all for the Prospective spouse visa 300 . As part of the paper work required 

lol , get used to it , you have only just started , it doesnt improve until you get permanent residency  , long way to go yet 

it is a smart move to set up from the very start a file on your pc , backed up elswhere especially for all relationship matters that ''MAY '' be required or usefull in your IMMI applications over the next 2 years +
this becomes a very handy and powerfull resource to have on hand

id also recommend keeping copies of all  paperwork /applications you send IMMI at any time , even after peramant residency is granted

lastly , when you get people to do the 888 forms , they must take their passports to get the forms certified , to prove their legitimacy , but you must if i remember correctly also get a photocopy of their passport pages certified and send these as well to IMMI to substantiate  their 888 forms when submitting with sub class 300 & temporary and permanent visa applications

things do change so it pays to read it all well , check , re check , and then submitt them back to immi

i found an index of the requirements at the start of your docs was the go for this

anyway , best of luck supraman , keep us updated , id expect you will be granted a visa about  4-12 weeks after the medical if all your docs are in good shape , which im sure they will be 

kind regards SX

[Daz0187]

Hi Supraman

Just a quick question mate if I could.

Where you say you had issues with Criminal check etc.
How much trouble did you have from this?
Did it hinder your application?

The reason I ask is with my background and I will be very honest with it
My last conviction in NSW was back in 2004
The issue is my history consists of pretty heavy convictions such as the following
- Stalk intimidate Police with intent to cause physical or mental harm x 2
Back ground of conviction is the policeman was in charge of the case I was arrested for
- Stalk intimidate with intent to cause physical or mental harm x 2
Background of conviction is this person went crown witness against me in court for the case
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
This one was the main charge that the above were involved in, and the background of this was I was at my mates and we seen a guy that was belting the crap out of his girlfriend next door to where we were, after he threw her down a flight of stairs we went to try and peace keep the whole situation and calm it down before he really hurt the girl.
Anyway once we separated the guy and girl he turned on me and hit me first but me having been drinking all afternoon with friends saw red and near killed the bloke (most of it to this day I still don't remember too much).
And I hope people that read the above don't think of me any different as I went to prison and did 2 1/5 years over this so I feel I have done my time.
Now my question is
At this stage I have 20 years of convictions that show up on my Police clearance up until the 19th March 2014, after that time I can finally say I have had no convictions as it will be 10 years with no trouble (LONG ROAD)
Will that hold against me with the process of sponsoring my girl or should I still go ahead and do it?

Sorry for the lengthy post for a simple question

Daz

[supraman]

Hi Daz ,, Not real sure about your situation . I had no dramas , as I knew I would not - since I have been a good boy and the other certification I have will not stay if I get a conviction .    I would assume their main concern ( oz immi ) will be whether or not there is a history that is repeating .. Since it is not wife beating or child abuse , I can not see why it would really have an effect as they seem to want to see that the people you are sponsoring will be safe .. I am not a lawyer and really I can only guess . I would suggest a call to Immi . That will be your best source for an accurate answer on this one .. Sorry I can not give you a proper answer , but I hope it gives you hope . Any questions at all - fire away , if I can help , I am glad too . Ps   . . I just remembered a mate of mine married his wife from spain , after he had a GBH charge a few years earlier , He got married and sponsored her still with no problems . I will ask him in a few days about it and get back to you .  Cheers .    

[southernX]

daz

that is not good to be honest , even though it is going back  a few years,
depending on the detail of the circumstances etc
i would advise you to find a good migration agent, shell out some bucks and discuss it with them as it will be worth it if you decide to go ahead and sponsor your girl , follow their advice  and do it asap before you go any further imho
doing it on your own with that history may well prove to be a minefield of problems for you ,

does your lady know of this history in detail ? have you discussed it with her ?

SX

[Daz0187]

SX

Yeah I know it doesn't look good from an outsiders point of view.
This is the reason I brought it out in the open as you can't hide everything hey:)

I will def go and see a Migration agent as there is one in the town I live in and have had a few friends go through the same person

I have also been honest with my girl and have shown and discussed my last Record check with her and explained every conviction and thank fully she was understandable to all

Cheers

Daz

[I/O]

Will that hold against me with the process of sponsoring my girl or should I still go ahead and do it?

I'd be surprised if you got a sponsorship up.

[Daz0187]

I/O

All we can do is try I think
My past has haunted me for years now I can't change or take back the things I have done.
I spoke to someone at the Federal police who did the check for me and they told me after 9.3.2014 I should be free from my past every being held against me again.
The only way it could be is if I was to repeat offend against the same people which I have no intention of doing.
When I got out of prison I moved states and everything to change my life, circle of friends as I was heading down the wrong road back then and I am so glad I did or who knows where I would've ended up.

Daz

[southernX]

daz

im pretty sure you will find all convictions even past the 10 year drop off stage will show on your federal police clearance no matter how far back you go ,

iv seen some a few years ago come back listing speeding fines from a local court in 1983

you can apply to have them removed , etc etc ,

get some proffesional advice from a ''GOOD''  agent , see how they rate your chances currently

id hate to see you plough ahead , set up expectations and emotions  then  flounder with IMMI

SX

[JayH]

I have a question-- maybe Supraman?   When you ( she) applied for tourist( ???) visa(s)  -- did you have any input with immi? Any contact?  tia

[supraman]

Me personally -- NO . I sent her a letter , inviting her to stay . Stating she would be staying with me and I would be financially supporting her for this time . From memory I also sent her a copy of my passport .Oh and some utilities bills with my name and address on them . Other than that it was all done at her end . My lady did use a migration agent in Moscow ( as a friend of hers did , and no issues, which was only slightly more expensive than doing it yourself  and it can give the girls a sense of security that it is being handled by a professional  ) . We only waited 10 working days for the first 2 and we waited 3 weeks for this one right before Christmas .
        I just asked the "boss" , and your lady will have a lot more than you to fill out and find for Immi . For the second one they use the info from the first time , but a letter is needed each time . The boss also says , she had  to supply work history , bank statements , property .... The list goes on I am afraid . Although the fact she was not working , but had some money in the bank , di not seem to be a factor ( having said that I think Immi like to see some money in the girls account - )luckily mine had a nice bit of saving .. The "boss "  also said ,as is our case - if there are children involved the paperwork for her will double . Please do not think it is a huge pile . Just the usual BS that is government forms and such - it is do- able , and not as hard as I may have just made it out to be .   Good luck with the application  Jayh.

[ampk]

In relation to police doc - my over 08 drink driving showed up after 26 years.

These are my docs for PMV - Online - submitted 13 April 2013.

 * Online version Form 40Sp
* Online version form 47SP inc 2 kids under 18
* All passports, birth certificates
* My drivers licence
* Both divorce papers
* Her marriage papers
* Form 1229 (permission for kids from her ex)
* Ex permission letter official from Ukraine for kids travel/immigration
* Her ex husband passport
* Joint letter from her parents (witness as per stated by form 888 a teacher)
* Letter from her brother (as above)
* Letter from friend/work college (as above)
* both our Police clearances.
* My previous sponsor Stat Dec
* My employment letter includes house, car, phone.
* Letter my mother ( Witnessed by approved profession )
* letter from my sister (as above)
* Letter from friend on his company letterhead (as above)
* Stat Dec from a doctor friend (treated one of the kids while here)
* About 22 photos in 3 countries including all families.
* Phone bill records 3 months random over 12 months.
* Extract of proposal (very romantically done over Skype messaging - was a reason for that and explained.
* Notice of intended marriage from celebrant.
* Joint bank account statements
* Family membership to Territory Wildlife Park
* Deposit for a Limo in both names (Family of 7 needs big car)
* Purchase of Limo joint names receipt.
* Set of boarding passes
* Letter from school in relation to kids enrolment.
* 2 birthday cards to her from when she visited Australia.
* 2 letters addressed to her at my address.
* Passport photos
* Letter from Applicant
* Letter from sponsor - Reminding of 3 Visitor Visa's applied for (2 refused) all stating our relationship. 2 stating the Visitor visa was required to ensure relationship with all children involved was all going to be fine, before PMV application. (Applied August, October & October 2013)

** Online Form 40 & 47SP have 5 detail questions about how we - meet, finances, commitment, Household relationship up to 2,000 characters each question.

** many documents like passports do not need certification online but must be colour scans in certain formats.

Any comments welcome, will try up date progress too.

 
 

[supraman]

Wow , I almost forgot how much there is  ..   It is a good list of things needed . We  needed nothing from the Ex ( She has one daughter  )  , and me having not been previously married , cleared up a lot of paper chasing for us .
  You appear to be ahead of us in the cue .We were crossing our fingers it would be no more than 9 months , but your time line suggest we have a little while yet after having only waited 6    .
     . G'day from W.A   
 
   

[ampk]

Sorry for the heart attack, I meant submitted 2014. You are way ahead of us.

[ampk]

Hi W.A will be Perth on Thurs to pick up the limo first stop, home town Carnarvon.

* 9 1/2 pages of Skype text logs ( is small 7 point size, no line space, contains only date/time/name and first word or two of conversation. I simply cut the rest off so they can not read our personal stuff.) ( 42 pages were printed from the 1168 pages of log information, glued to an A4 page 4 or 5 per page depending on my cuts - this method gave around 3,000 log entries) Skype text chat is mostly how we communicate.

* A cover letter for the Skype log stating what I want them to note, being constant communication over long periods each and every day. The pages printed for them were not selected but determined by math division ( a single page printed every 23, 2 pages every 46 3 every 69 ect but only 3 consecutive pages.) If there was a missing day in the logs it was 1 of a handful and I did not bother to check if there was a missing day. If they find a large gap in days check we were together and to cross check supplied phone records a sms or more will be sent just after the end of each days session.

 By coincidence each page had a name or something of relevance in remaining text, I circled the entries and inform them what it was about, mostly was people that wrote letters or family but also a money transfer.

Hearing that they don't like pages and pages of Skype/Facebook/Vibe or other social media evidence, I gave it to them in just 9.5 pages anyway.

* I also sent a few notes that we both made when she was here, and sketches of house extensions we did.

* Sent them also as we don't have a venue booked, the location we will get married - will change the blue tarp for one a bit more appropriate.

[supraman]

Well , the wheels are still turning at Immi . We - or should I say "the better half "  has been advised to go and take her medicals    .

     Apparently there was a hold up with some paperwork on her side , which added a month .

   With the daughter being sick at the moment we will wait  .   Will let you know how long after medicals until we hear .. Have a good day people

[southernX]

or should I say "the better half "  has been advised to go and take her medicals    .

       With the daughter being sick at the moment we will wait  ...

very wise strategy supraman ,
if there is any doubt about them both being fully fit and well, dont do the medicals

they need to be fully clear of any signs of the flue or chest colds , sinus type issues
my wife even went to her doctor for a check up before the medical , he pronounced her all ok , 3 days later the ''MEDICAL EXAMINER '' found she needed to come back as she may have TB ?
just a ruse to garner more coin for the medical clinic, but it can slow down the medical report being finalised quickly , even out to 3 months extension time

   Apparently there was a hold up with some paperwork on her side , which added a month .
 

often happens supraman , IMMI can often lose /misplace something ,
before she goes to her interview ask your case officer if she needs to take any further /lost documents along as well ,

GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH   



SX

[supraman]

Ok ,, Medicals were done last Thursday . Her daughters check  was pretty quick as was the future mrs , They then had to go to a second hospital for the chest x rays .. I am told the metro is very handy and will get your lady very close to both medical centres. ?
    They arrived at 10 and were finished for the day by 3pm , so my lovely lady took her daughter to see Red Square .
    So now we wait again.... She was told , that no visas will be processed in the month of June for some reason???? Apparently ??  If it is true I hate government systems and workers ,just that little bit more .So hopefully I can finish this thread soon and we can move on with our life , instead of never knowing when .. 
   This is the killer , We were all warned about it ,,waiting..................................

[southernX]

SUPRAMAN

 hang in there !!!  your getting closer every day to the one when you will be told your visa grant has been approved /issued ,

when it happens its almost unbelievable supra, 
the waiting will end soon mate 

all else is well ??
good luck to you all, im sure you will have success soon ,
IMMi are hard work thats for sure , thing is you will have to deal with them  again and again in the next 4years anyway right up to citizenship  lol ,
 
best wishes SX

[southernX]

Ok ,, Medicals were done last Thursday . Her daughters check  was pretty quick as was the future mrs , They then had to go to a second hospital for the chest x rays .. I am told the metro is very handy and will get your lady very close to both medical centres. ?
    They arrived at 10 and were finished for the day by 3pm , so my lovely lady took her daughter to see Red Square .
    So now we wait again.... She was told , that no visas will be processed in the month of June for some reason???? Apparently ??  If it is true I hate government systems and workers ,just that little bit more .So hopefully I can finish this thread soon and we can move on with our life , instead of never knowing when .. 
   This is the killer , We were all warned about it ,,waiting..................................

littel birdie tells me supra man has some good news !!!
congratulations mate ,  :clapping:bout time it was granted,
 best wishes to you and the family
SX

[supraman]

  Ok , now I have it in my hands    Where is the bouncing around the room emoticon ??
 
, A mod , could close this thread soon if they like . The wait is over . Our application was approved on the 4th of this month .
  Visa was lodged on the 1st of November 2013 and approved on the 4th of July 2014  . Since only  one person on here knows me -- yes a few tears of joy came out .. You can not understand the relief , unless you too have been through it . 
   
 If I was to be asked , what to prepare for , if some one was going to do this . I would tell you
  #  Allow 10 months until your wedding
  #the more you give them the faster it will happen - 1 week of running around to find some extra paperwork will save 2 months of waiting maybe ?
  # allow about 2 months after medicals , then go and see your local Mp , to find out how it is going .
#  Stay strong - for gods sake , do not let your lady see that the time apart gets to you - She needs you to be the rock, that is solid,, always ..
#Use the time when you are apart to prepare for what will be the biggest change ever, in -her - life or -theirs - as is my case  , you must  prepare your self too , but remember any  sacrifice you make  is small in comparison.
# Do your home work , before you need it . As your lady will hope you know how your own legal system works .
#Use the tourist visa system to your advantage , spend as much time with her here as you can - to give yourselves as much time as possible -- which is really the key to any relationship ... ??
# If you say you will do some thing -- you must do it .
# remind her often , of what she means to you , it is a simple thing , but means much more .

While our journey has really just begun. We still have a few years of paperwork yet to go .
I will take the time  to thank you all that have helped with questions and such over time .
. SouthernX ,I owe you more than a few beers .

 I will also take this chance to tell you if you have or are reading this -- Do not be afraid to post on the forum -- use an identity other than your own and ask , this is the only reason you have read this info . So if it helped you , Please add your own experience as it will help others too .   
 Hope fully I can repay the favours , to others also .. Thank you all .

[Anotherkiwi]

Supraman - congratulations! 


As you say, there is still an awfully long way to go, but at least you're now on the right track.