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Hi everyone - all advice welcome!

2K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  Mary Cockerill 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I am a UK citizen and have been in a relationship with my Australian man for about 12 months now - this has been a long distance relationship albeit I have spent time with him over several weeks in Australia - most recently 6 weeks over the December/January period. Just got back and we are planning for my return already. However, we are unsure on how best to move forward on this.

I have a good job here in UK and yes am happy in my job but am up for a career break late this year and am looking to spend 12 months over in Aus with him which will be fantastic. What we need to know is how we do this - he would sponsor me of course (if appropriate) assurance of support etc. but not sure what visa I will need for this 12 month stay.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thank you
 
#2 ·
if you are only looking at twelve months then you could get a working holiday visa if you're elligible. this does restrict you if you wanted to see what a real life would be like as i think you can only stay in any one job for up to 3 months. but it would mean no need for sponsorship if you have enough savings to support your working travels.

proffessional working visa's and defacto visas are heavy stuff and would be a great expense and a lot of paperwork. so if you're not at a point where you want that commitment to each other then that's something to think about if your 12 months out there are successful!
 
#3 ·
Thanks for coming back on my query - I'm tooooooooooooo old for a working visa and do not want to work whilst I am out there anyway - complete break from career and see more of Australia - I am ok with funds - and have accommodation provided etc. - have looked further at visa's and note that I can have either a 6 month or even 12 month visa which is brilliant - this will work for the time I want out there - I can come back within the 12 months can't I? How excited am I now .....

Thanks again
 
#4 ·
Yep, a 12 months tourist visa can actually give you quite a bit longer than 12 months Merlin for they usually get issued with a latest entry date 12 months from actual grant date and then are valid for 12 months from latest entry date.

So if you apply for one, say a few months before planning to go, you could head on down and then if needing to return to UK with an intent of return, just do that so as you return before the latest entry date and you'd have another 12 months.
Alternately, you could just nip ovwe to NZ and return before that latest entry date to get up to the further 12 months.
 
#5 ·
Thanks Wanderer - apologies for delay in saying a huge thanks for your response - could not get back on to my account so had to re-register, and have been exceptionally busy at work! - but all good on career break - my boss supporting it all the way (he's a good un). 30 years of work non stop - I'm ready for a wee break.

Thanks again for all the info. Best wishes
 
#6 ·
Hi Merlin. You dont say how old you are, but have indicated that you are too old for the WHV. As I am not in the UK I cannot say how the AHC in the UK works, but here in SA to be issued with a visitor visa that is valid to stay for up to 12 months is quite difficult for anyone other than parents wishing to have an extended stay with their grown children living in Australia. The one regulation that I know is standard, is that they have to be convinced that you have the motivation to return to your home country at the end of the visa validity. for example. A job that you must return to, family commitments, a house, etc. Unfortunately the 'younger' people here in SA requesting a 12 month validity visa are trying to use them to circumvent the system, get to Aus then lodge 'onshore' applications in different visa categories.

Like I said, this is SA so it may be different in the UK in the implementation of the regulations.

Hope you come right. regards Mary
 
#7 ·
Hi Merlin. You dont say how old you are, but have indicated that you are too old for the WHV. As I am not in the UK I cannot say how the AHC in the UK works, but here in SA to be issued with a visitor visa that is valid to stay for up to 12 months is quite difficult for anyone other than parents wishing to have an extended stay with their grown children living in Australia. The one regulation that I know is standard, is that they have to be convinced that you have the motivation to return to your home country at the end of the visa validity. for example. A job that you must return to, family commitments, a house, etc. Unfortunately the 'younger' people here in SA requesting a 12 month validity visa are trying to use them to circumvent the system, get to Aus then lodge 'onshore' applications in different visa categories.

Like I said, this is SA so it may be different in the UK in the implementation of the regulations.

Hope you come right. regards Mary
It is not just parents that have been able to get 12 months tourist visas Mary and more a case of showing tha't you'll have means of support and in some cases as you say motivation not to overstay.
As for applying for onshore visas, the use of the No Further Stay condition puts a stop to that.

Agreed, some younger people may seek to use them and then there could be many not having them granted if immigration officers are doing their jobs.
 
#8 ·
Thanks all.

I'm mature me... over 40 (well I'm as young as I feel I reckon) and young at heart n all - and a total optimist in life so not much phases me. Go with the flow hey.

I have lovely family here in the UK and have an official career break for 12 months - and job to go back to at the end of this - love the job and the people and ... dare I say it.... the money - just have time off and out with my lovely man and friends - and want to experience everything. Hope this doesn't pose a problem - but will give it a go. Worse case scenario I'll have to spend some of the time up in the air than I had hoped.

Thanks all again
 
#9 ·
thats great bessboo, so it sounds like you have all the right stuff for the 12 month visitor visa to be granted without a problem. I think the fact that I live in a 'high risk' country is why pretty much only the parents get the 12 months visitor visas. Our lot would go and disapear into the woodwork hehehe. So good luck and best wishes. Mary
 
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