Seeking Australian experience and advice to lodge a Prospective Marriage Visa

[loesick]

G'day All,

My name is Sid and my girlfriend's is Elina. I am an Australian Citizen and Elina is from Ukraine. We both have met face to face and spent 5 weeks together in India with my parents. We hit off really well and want to apply for the prospective marriage visa to take the relationship to the  next level. We worked incessantly to organise documents over the last couple of months, and are ready to lodge it in the next couple of weeks.We were looking for a sounding board to ask few questions from forum members and  use their experience. The questions are very specific to the application forms:

1. Form 80 question 16 - National Identity Document: Elina's National Identity document is her domestic passport. We are wondering whether to only provide the number form 80 or also provide a copy of domestic passport? The domestic passport is in Ukrainian and will need to be translated. Does anyone have an experience with this?

2. Payment: I want to pay for her visa. I wrote to the Australian Embassy Moscow, and it is possible. The question is whether to do it before application , or after application?

3. Certification of documents: I have provided some documents to Elina which are not certified. these are: Copy of employer letter, tax assessments, phone bills, invoice for assets such as car. Does anyone have a view on that?

4. Australian Police Check: As I am not sponsoring an under 18 child, my understanding from the application guidelines is that the department does not require me to provide a police check. Would this be consistent with your experience?

Looking forward to a helping voice 

[JayH]

Welcome

There are threads relating to your questions on forum. Some good experience here  for you to draw on.

Your Questions-- she will need an international passport to proceed regardless-- so you may as well get on with getting it. I would not waste time and money on getting translation of internal document.
Added later--just realised she must have a passport to hav gone to India ( duh !!) That should suffice as id --( SX?)

              In application--it details how you can pay from this end-- all normal ways to pay accounts are available.
             When you do the immi forms it explains what is required in detail.
             Re Police Check--if it is required in your application --or at least to answer if you have criminal convictions-- again--read the forms.
I am sure Southern Cross will be along to give you precise answers!!
Where is your lady from? What city/town?

[supraman]

I recently started a thread in the Australian visa section  , " Australian 300class prospective spouse visa - our time line "  -  most of your questions , I think a few of us have touched on ..

      You will have to supply a police clearance and it will have to be the original .So you will have to courier it with the certified originals of your form 888 as well ( from about 4 people )--- the 888 can be copies , but you may as well send the originals with the police clearance as I did    .. All letters of support must be certified with a copy of passport or Drivers licence of the person giving it  - to make them valid . As for the things like bills and tax papers , --just a copy is fine . Also your bank statements for at least the last 2 years and if you are self employees they may ask for upto 4 years ,, they do not need to be certified  , just copies -- but they must show and match with your current address , or you will get some more questions from Immi later.
  Ps  , are you using an agent or doing it yourselves ,, A few of us have used different agents with success  -    Do not hesitate to also apply for tourist visa while you wait for 300 class  --- Can I be soo bold to suggest maybe getting a tourist visa first and spending 3 months living together where you live?   it is a joy we have over many other countries and I believe it is worth doing before 300 class,, for obvious reasons,, plus it only helps your 300 class. Any Questions ,, just ask and we will try to help , PPs Jahy is also right with what he says .

 I just sent all the originals to the agent in Moscow , including my birth cert   ) Cos I am lazy   

[supraman]

Oops , I realised that it is only your family that you travelled to India with that has met her  ,So they will have to do the form 888 , As many before have said--- the more you give them , the less they will ask for . and the more history the easier it "should "be . Keep us updated   
 

[I/O]

1) Use her International passport for that type of thing.
 
2) Prepayment is simplest - include the receipt with lodgement.
 
3) The peripheral documents you have listed do not require certification.
 
4) Police check not required.
 
 

[supraman]

Since my lady has a daughter we had to supply it as per page 2 of the 40sp form . I can not find it written for your circumstance though. ( after looking again )  ---
  But question 40 will determine it for you anyway I feel    Answer yes , and you would need it I would imagine ?

[loesick]

Wow! Thank you Supraman, JayH and I/O, you all have been quick to help, we certainly appreciate it.

@JayH - My lady is from the city of Dnepropetrovsk in Ukraine.

@Supraman - Yes I have organised 888 forms from mum and dad, and we are not using an agent for application. Re tourist visa, we will try for it, but we have made our mind re subclass 300.

@ I/O - Thanks, I just received confirmation from the Department over prepayment

And thanks all for the clarification on the peripheral documents, I am not going to organise certification for them, it is too much paperwork for anyone to keep signing on.

We intend to apply by next week. I will keep you all posted. 

[loesick]

Hi everyone,
I have got one fresh obstacle. The advice in Ukraine is that certification of passport is illegal in their system, therefore, we are not required to certify Elina's Ukranian international passport. Did anyone receive this advice before? 

[JayH]

I am not understanding what the "certification is--an  international passport is a certified document.What is the context and who is asking for it?Maybe to say it is her on document making the application?

[loesick]

I am not understanding what the "certification is--an  international passport is a certified document.What is the context and who is asking for it?Maybe to say it is her on document making the application?

Sorry, certification of a copy of international passport.

[JayH]

We need SX to explain--I will pm .

[southernX]

Hi everyone,
I have got one fresh obstacle. The advice in Ukraine is that certification of passport is illegal in their system, therefore, we are not required to certify Elina's Ukranian international passport. Did anyone receive this advice before?

ukraine and russia do not have the same system we use to certify documents  ,she will be baffled by your question no doubt to have them certified , lol    there it can be done by a notary , she will know where to find one in her city , especially if she is an office worker or proffesional

i would suggest you get your lady to have all her documents notarised and translated as true and correct anyway there , like birth certificate, any previous marriage  divorce certificates ? drivers licence if she has one there ?
it is cheaper there , last time i had some done it was around 40-60 grivna per doc , much cheaper than having them translated and certified here in australia at around $80-100 per document

her international passport will also have an english version next to the ukraine , on the front page ,

here you will need to have it copied and certified for your IMMI applications , each time you apply for the next visa stage, after the sub class 300 then temporary residence , then permanent residence after 2 years 

you should send in an original federal police clearance for yourself ,
more documents/information with your application  is better for IMMI to see the depth and context of the relationship imho and who you both are

word of advise ,CHECK &  RECHECK all your documents before you submit them ,
make your application with an index and easy to find /read headers and sections of information as they have asked for it in order

you can do the aplication yourself , but make the effort to get it right , keep a copy of all that you send them as you WILL NEED IT ALL AGAIN LATER and it is your reference to use when they lose or ask again for something , trust me it will probably happen , in some way or another

edit , have a search and read of other threads in the visa section on here , lots of info already posted here if you look 

GOOD LUCK

SX

[loesick]

Hi SX,

Thank you for your detailed response, did help clarify the items. I have a different understanding to yours on the subject of police check for myself. I did not read anywhere in the visa requirements that I need to provide a police check. Am I missing something here?

Cheers,

Sid

[southernX]

edit , better information below for you loesick in my second post on the checklist and certifying docs etc


with police clearances i reccommend it anyway , if you have no issues on it ?
SX

[southernX]

current fiancee sub class 300 document checklist below &information on certifying documents  for information only purposes to readers who might follow this thread
SX

Information to help prepare your application

This information gives advice about certifying and translating documents, providing statutory declarations, communicating with the department, using a migration agent, authorising another person to receive information from the department, and receiving assistance with your application.

Certified documents
Every visa application requires various supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of identity etc.

Unless asked to do otherwise, you should provide 'certified copies' of original documents, rather than the original documents.

'Certified copies' have been authorised (or stamped) as being true copies of originals, by a person or agency recognised by the law of the country in which you live.

All departmental offices outside Australia have a person who can certify or witness documents. You may have to pay for this service.

Police certificates are the exception. You must provide original police certificates with your application.

Statutory declarations

Only certain people may witness Commonwealth statutory declarations. All departmental offices outside Australia have a person who can witness statutory declarations.

Translating documents into English

Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
 •A translator in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
•A translator outside Australia does not need to be accredited, but they must endorse the translation with their full name, address, telephone number, and details of their qualifications and experience in the language being translated.
 
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters has more information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
fiancee sub class 300 visa checklist info
You need to provide documents to support your application for this visa. We can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless we specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

If you applied online, certified copies of original documents can be scanned and attached to your visa application through your ImmiAccount.


Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

Visa application requirements differ from country to country.

If you are applying outside Australia, your nearest immigration office outside Australia will tell you exactly how to lodge your application and what documents to provide.

Forms
Applying online:

•Form 47SP Application for migration to Australia by a partner
•Form 40SP Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia

Applying by post or in person:


• Form 47SP Application for migration to Australia by a partner  (552 kB PDF)
• Form 40SP Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia  (256 kB PDF)
•Two copies of  Form 888 Statutory declaration by a supporting witness in relation to a Partner or a Prospective Marriage visa application (84 kB PDF) (to be completed by two Australian citizens or permanent residents who have personal knowledge of your partner relationship).
•For anyone included in the application who is 18 years of age or older and is not your partner:
◦Form 47a Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (238 kB PDF).
​•For each person included in the application who is 16 years of age or older:
◦Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment (373 kB PDF).
•If you are bringing a child younger than 18 years of age with you to Australia, and that child’s other parent is not included in your application:
◦Form 1229 Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (238 kB PDF).
Receiving assistance
•If someone gives you advice or lodges your application for you:
◦Form 956 Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance (133 kB PDF) (the agent or exempt person completes the form and you must sign it).
•If you would like someone else to receive correspondence from us on your behalf:
◦Form 956a Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (116 kB PDF) (the recipient completes the form and you must sign it).
​
•If you applied online, these forms can be submitted to the department through your ImmiAccount.


Charges
•Pay the visa application charge.
•If your sponsor has paid the visa application charge for you: provide the original receipt to show they have paid.
•Note : If your sponsor has paid the visa application charge for you then you must lodge your application by post or in person.

Your identity
•Certified copies of the biographical pages of the current passports or travel documents of all people included in the application (these are the pages with the holder's photo and personal details and the issue/expiry dates).
•Two recent passport-sized photographs (45 mm x 35 mm) of each person included in the application.
◦These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
◦Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph.
•If your name has changed or the name of anyone included in your application has changed: a certified copy of evidence of the name change.
•A certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents’ names. If you do not have a birth certificate and are unable to get one, you must provide a certified copy of the identification pages of at least one of the following documents:
◦family book showing both parents’ names
◦identification document issued by the government
◦court-issued documents that verify your identity.
If you are unable to provide any of these documents, you must provide other acceptable evidence that you are who you claim to be.
Your children
•Certified copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children.
•If any dependent child included in the application is adopted: certified copies of the adoption papers.
•Evidence of financial dependency for all your family members aged 18 or older:
◦a certified copy of their birth certificate and proof of their relationship to you
◦proof that they live in your household
◦proof that they have been financially dependent on you for at least the 12 months immediately before you lodge your application.
•If you want to bring a child younger than 18 years of age with you to Australia, and that child’s other parent is not included in the application: documentary evidence that you have the legal right to bring that child to Australia, such as:
◦certified copies of official legal documents, such as a court-issued parental responsibility (custody), access or guardianship order
◦statutory declaration giving their permission (80 kB PDF)
◦Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (125 kB PDF).
If you use Form 1229 or a statutory declaration, you will have to attach a certified copy of the other parent’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or driver's licence) with their photograph and signature.
•If you applied online, these forms can be submitted to the department through your ImmiAccount. Your relationships
•If you or anyone included in the application has been widowed, divorced or permanently separated: a certified copy of the death certificate, divorce documents, or statutory declaration separation documents.
•Evidence that you and your prospective spouse have met face-to-face as adults and are personally known to each other.
•Evidence that you will marry your prospective spouse within nine months of being granted the visa (such as a letter from the person who will officiate at the wedding).
•Evidence that you and your prospective spouse genuinely intend to live in a married relationship.
•Written statements showing the history of your relationship, such as:
◦how, when and where you first met
◦how your relationship developed
◦when you became engaged
◦joint activities
◦significant events in the relationship
◦your future plans as husband and wife.
•If you applied online, these forms can be submitted to the department through your ImmiAccount.

Character requirements
•Police checks for everyone included in the visa application who is 16 years of age or older:
◦an Australian National Police Check for anyone who has spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in Australia since turning 16 years of age
◦police certificates from each country in which anyone in your application has spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16 years of age.
Provide the original certificates and keep a copy for yourself.
•If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: certified copies of their military service record or discharge papers.
Documents for your prospective spouse (and sponsor)
•Evidence that the sponsor is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Evidence can include a certified copy of:
◦a birth certificate
◦an Australian passport or foreign passport containing evidence of permanent residence
◦an Australian citizenship certificate
◦for New Zealand citizens, evidence of length of residence in Australia and of continuing links with Australia.
•If applicable: a statement from your sponsor about:
◦anyone else they have previously sponsored or nominated for a Spouse, Partner, Prospective Marriage or Interdependency visa
◦the sponsor’s relationship with them
◦when, how and why the relationship(s) ceased
◦the dates of lodgement of any sponsorship or nominations (including any current sponsorship) or assurances of support
◦the amount and frequency of child support payments.
•If you are including a child younger than 18 years of age in your application:
◦an AFP National Police Check for your sponsor, if the sponsor has spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in Australia since turning 16 years of age
◦police certificates from each country in which the sponsor has spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16 years of age.
Visa holdersThis information is for people who have already been decided a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300). It explains your rights and obligations.
You can use the free Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) to check your visa status and entitlements.
Expand allCollapse allHow long your visa lasts This visa is valid for nine months. It cannot be extended and you cannot be granted another Prospective Marriage visa in Australia even if you have not yet married your sponsor but still intend to do so.
What this visa lets you do This visa allows you to:
enter Australia before you marry your prospective spousetravel in and out of Australia as often as you want work in Australia, although some employers might not hire people with temporary visasstudy in Australia, but with no access to government funding for tertiary study.Your obligationsYou and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.
Enter AustraliaYou must enter Australia on this visa at least once before you marry your prospective spouse.
We will tell you the date by which you must enter Australia. If you do not enter Australia by this date your visa may be cancelled. Contact us if you cannot enter by this date. Your visa might also have a condition that you do not enter Australia before another person.  We will tell you if your visa has this condition.
Any family members who come with you to Australia might have conditions on their visas, including:
they cannot enter Australia before youthey cannot marry or be in a de facto relationship before they enter Australia.We will tell you if this is the case.
Marry your prospective spouseYou must marry your prospective spouse before your visa ends. The marriage can take place in or outside Australia.
Lodge a Partner visa applicationYou need to lodge an application for a Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) after your marriage and before your Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) ends.
New Zealand citizensIf you have a New Zealand passport and arrive in Australia, you will automatically be issued with a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
This will override your Prospective Marriage visa. You can avoid this by telling the immigration officer at the border that you have a Prospective Marriage visa.
Report changes in circumstancesTell us if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth or death in your family.
You can use the following forms:
Form 929 Change of address and/or passport details (86 kB PDF) — if you move to a new address or change your passportForm 1022 Notification of changes in circumstances (77 kB PDF) — if there are other changes in your circumstances. These forms can be submitted to us through your ImmiAccount.​​
You must also tell us if your relationship with your prospective spouse ends.


SponsorsThis information is for a person who wants to sponsor their fiancé for a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).   
Expand allCollapse allWho can sponsorTo sponsor someone for this visa, you must be:
an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizenat least 18 years of age.Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens are expected to be living in Australia. Eligible New Zealand citizens might need to have a health examination or character check. We will tell you if you need these checks.
Limitations on sponsorshipYou cannot be a sponsor if you:
were sponsored for a Partner or Prospective Spouse visa within the past five yearshave previously sponsored two people for migration to Australia and they were granted a Partner or Prospective Marriage visahave sponsored another person for migration to Australia within the past five years and they were granted a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa.Your sponsorship could still be approved if there are compelling circumstances affecting you. These include:
your previous partner has died or abandoned the relationship, leaving you with young childrenyou have been in a relationship with your fiancé for more than two yearsyou and your fiancé have dependent children from your relationship.If you have been granted a Woman at Risk visa (subclass 204) in the last five years, you cannot sponsor:
someone who was your partner when you were granted a Woman at Risk visaa previous partner that you did not tell us about when you were granted your Woman at Risk visa.Contributory parent visa holders
If you were granted a Contributory Parent visa after 30 June 2009, you cannot sponsor your partner for this visa for five years from the date your visa was granted if you were in a relationship with that person before your Contributory Parent visa was granted.
There are some exceptions to this limitation. Contact our nearest Australian office to discuss your situation.
Best interests of the child
Usually, this visa will not be granted if it is not in  the best interests of a child younger than 18 years of age. There is more information in measures for the protection of children.
Character requirements
You might need to meet certain character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until we ask you to.
How to apply to be a sponsorThis information explains what you need to do to apply to sponsor someone for a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).
To apply to be a sponsor, complete:
Online : Form 40SP Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia
Paper:  Form 40SP Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia (254 kB PDF).Your fiancé will submit this form with their application.
You will need to provide evidence of your Australian citizenship or permanent resident status or proof that you are an eligible New Zealand citizen.
If you have changed your name since birth, you should provide evidence of the name change.
If there is a dependant under 18 years of age and you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia since turning 16 years of age, provide an AFP National Police Check.
If there is a dependant under 18 years of age and you have not spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia since turning 16 years of age, provide original police certificates from each country in which you have spent a total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16 years of age.
It will help your fiancé’s application if you provide documents that confirm your relationship.
Sponsor obligationsAs a sponsor, you must agree to accept responsibility for:
all financial obligations to the Commonwealth incurred by your fiancé arising from their stay in Australia;your fiancé(e)'s compliance with all relevant legislation and awards in relation to any employment they enter into in Australia your fiancé(e)'s compliance with the conditions of their Prospective Marriage visa.

Estimate the cost of this visa
* This value cannot exceed the number of applicants when the application is lodged.
How many additional applicants will be 18 years of age or older when you lodge your application?
 
ZAR* Price will be displayed in Australian dollars unless changed. .
 
 
Price starts from AUD 3,855.00