[esea]

Hi

My partner who is English who is currently working in Malaysia is applying for the "Prospective Marriage Visa". One of the criteria is to show proof that we are getting married. Whilst we understand that we will have to get married within 9 months regardless of whether in Oz or out of OZ.

The thing is we are deciding to get married in the UK, whilst we are intending o get married we are having problems showing proof that we are going to get married because we both are not in the UK to make any arrangements as we have not finalised any plans yet.

Suggested proof of intended marriage is a nomination of marriage from a priest, what other proofs can I show? Help. Thanks

 

[Wanderer]

You do realise that the path you are following will mean that he still has to fly to Australia before you head to the UK to marry and you need to do that and return to Australia within the nine months of the visa grant to then apply for the partner visa onshore or put in your offshore partner visa and that could then delay your return or if you wanted to return on an eVisa while an offshore visa was being processed he'll then need another trip out to have the offshore partner visa granted.
So quite some messing around and especially if you cannot organise anything in the UK until you get there.
I'd expect you could do two things and either indicate that you plan on flying to the UK to marry and have tickets booked from Oz to UK and have a confirmation to show that.
Alternately, you could always see a minister or celebrant here, put in a Notice of Intent for a date close to end of nine months plus say four to allow for PMV processing and then when he is here you can cancel that.

 

[esea]

Hi Wanderer,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I know that it is a bit messy as I am in Oz and he is in Malaysia and we have passed that 12 month window to apply for a defacto. My only worry is how easy would it be to see a celebrant here and then cancel on him. I feel as if I am lying to my priest. We might still try and get a celebrant in the UK, alternatively your suggestion of the plane tickets is a good idea, however we have to submit the NoIM together with the application and if we submit the proof of plane tickets and I was thinking even perhaps a tentative venue booking confirmation without the NoIM, would the immigration dept reject the application as a result of the non fulfillment?

J

 

[Wanderer]

I have seen some people post about putting in a PMV application and saying it has gone through without a positive indication but maybe they were just lucky.
There's always one way to have an application rejected and lose a sizable fee and that's not to do a proper application.
I would in first instance see if you can get into an Immi office or at least ring them and ask because the PMV allows your fiance to enter and then you can depart to get married outside of Oz and that is what you intend to do, is there something less than a marriage booking confirmation they will accept.
Short of getting a meaningful answer there are heaps of celebrants about and all you need to do is get a NOIM in and I know it does not seem a good approach but they probably get many bookings that are cancelled later and if you do it with plenty of time, it's no big loss to them and perhaps you have had to pay a small advance booking fee they will keep for their trouble.