[BazAbroad]

Hi all,
am not sure if your aware that the times changed in the UK for processing of applications. I recently married an Australian Lady in the UK, and had our whole immigration timetable mapped out.
The website had said 6 to 8 weeks for processing of an application of a Spousal visa, so we where working within this timeframe.
Only when I applied for a spousal visa did we get informed there was up to a 6 month delay on processing due to numbers and quota's on people entering Australia.
(After we mentioned the website they apparently amended it)
The immigration officer dealing with us did point out that I could travel to Australia on a tourist visa and be with my wife, and I was not a special case just because I have married an Australian.
(Thats a gripe for another day)
My problem now, am in Australia on the tourist visa but cannot work,
fair one condition of Visa, but now I have to physically leave Australia to get my tourist E visa switched over to a E spousal visa.
This is obviously a great expense having to fly out to another country for a couple of days for what is in effect only an electronic transaction.
Is there any way around this, or tips that people have done to save some money. Friends have suggested Baili, and NZ, as places to go.
A further problem, is here in NSW, at the Road licencing authority, they have told me when I change my UK licence over I will not get my heavy goods licence (Big rig) but only car and motorbike, this was expected, however they have also said that I have to have held the NSW licence for a further 6 months before taking a big rig driving licence, as this is my main source of earning an income, a 6 month delay seems somewhat unfair.
Again if anyone has any tips, please respond.
If not, hope this thread shows you some pitfalls.
BazAbroad,,, again

 

[BazAbroad]

Am thinking the same, how ever annoying rules r rules.

 

[BazAbroad]

One way tickets

yeah slavekajira that is what I have done.
I also heard once out here contact the local immigration, or mainland Australia Immigration as they may be more understanding in getting things sorted.
I tried this and it was not the case.
The lady I spoke to on the Aussie mainland was under the impression that I had to fly back to UK as that is where my Visa is being processed.
Mainland immigration does not have access to UK Australia's immigration database. The two departments are independant.
At the end of the conversation and a few questions from myself, that made the lady in question have to go further up the chain to provide me with answers, she did concede that in the end it was what made the UK immigration department happy that I would have to do.
To cover myself I emailed my adviser in the UK on my intentions of leaving Australia and reenter on such and such a date, mentioning that I would be using the oppurtunity to visit Baili, and would provide details when I purchased my tickets.
There is no requirement to buy a return ticket on the first fly out to Australia, although you may have to prove that you have funds to purchase the return flight, best to be prepared, take bank statements, credit cards etc,
If carrying cash, under 10,000 Aussie dollars is allowed I believe, then you can open a bank account once in Oz, just explain your situation fully.
In all things honesty is best, criminal records etc, plans, intentsions etc.
I would also suggest taking a copy of your emails from your adviser on when your spousal email is due to be granted.