[ryan1980]

Hi All,

I am new here so please bare with me

I am an australian citizen, have lived here all my life. My partner is russian. We have met in her country, in bali, and she has visited me in perth for 3 week's earlier this year.

Our relationship is serious and we intend to marry.

She would like to immigrate to australia to be with me.

My understanding from what i have read on the home affairs website is that 2 visa's may be suitable - the prospective marriage (subclass 300) and the partner visa (801 + 820? )

Could anyone advise on which would be most suitable for my situation?

The biggest issue i have is that it appears the processing times for both are 1 year at a minimum , and that my partner can not stay here with me whilst the application is being processed. Is there some bridging visa available??

The only other option is for her to continuously fly in and out as a tourist, which seems ridiculous!

I know i am asking a lot but i do appreciate any advice.

Ryan

 

[Eh?]

The s/c 300 is an application that needs to be made offshore if I recall correctly.

That said, it would be hard for anyone to give you any type of proper advice or information without any background info regarding your relationship.

 

[ampk]

Yes seems the PMV 300 would be the one as evidence required is less.

It is an offshore application but you can apply for a Visitor Visa while it is being processed. We got lucky from Moscow and got a 12 month Visitor Visa granted but you do need to go offshore to get a decision on the PMV, we went to Vietnam from Darwin for that.

 

[ryan1980]

Yes seems the PMV 300 would be the one as evidence required is less.

It is an offshore application but you can apply for a Visitor Visa while it is being processed. We got lucky from Moscow and got a 12 month Visitor Visa granted but you do need to go offshore to get a decision on the PMV, we went to Vietnam from Darwin for that.

thanks for the info! Do you have any tips on getting a 12 month visitor visa? I think the maximum now is 3 months, and it seems for russians at the moment it's quite difficult!

When they give you a decision on the PMV, you need to leave the country right? as you can't be in australia when it's granted?

 

[ampk]

Having been granted a visa to Australia before, that works in her favour.

Russia an a few other embassies it is just a lottery on a grant.

I think they got sick of me and just gave us the 12 month Visitor Visa - multi entry if wanted no stay period. We had a few refusals prior and I put in a few complaints that obviously got back to the embassy.

You can apply for a 3,6 or 12 month visa. We actually applied for a 6 month multi entry but they gave us the 12 months. Generally a 3 month multi entry you can pretty much be in Australia for about 6 or more months & a 6 month multi can give you a total of around 12 months in Australia, but you do need to go offshore before the stay period expires.

Being in Perth that is a bit harder and more costly than from Darwin.

Maybe try put in an application for 6 month multi and plan on a trip or 2 to Bali.

Yes you get notified to go offshore for the decision on the PMV as it can not be granted when you are in Australia.

My partner (at the time) was from Ukraine and they were processed in Russia, our PMV application was put in just before MH17 was shot down - PMV process times then were around 7-9 months from memory.

 

[ryan1980]

strangely enough she was only granted a 1 month tourist visa previously , with the 'no further stay ' condition attatched to it. Perhaps things have changed?

im not sure what you mean by being able to be in australia for 6 months on a 3 month visa - do you mean if you leave and return your time begins again? Or do you mean that we could spend 3 months in bali ?

Having been granted a visa to Australia before, that works in her favour.

Russia an a few other embassies it is just a lottery on a grant.

I think they got sick of me and just gave us the 12 month Visitor Visa - multi entry if wanted no stay period. We had a few refusals prior and I put in a few complaints that obviously got back to the embassy.

You can apply for a 3,6 or 12 month visa. We actually applied for a 6 month multi entry but they gave us the 12 months. Generally a 3 month multi entry you can pretty much be in Australia for about 6 or more months & a 6 month multi can give you a total of around 12 months in Australia, but you do need to go offshore before the stay period expires.

Being in Perth that is a bit harder and more costly than from Darwin.

Maybe try put in an application for 6 month multi and plan on a trip or 2 to Bali.

Yes you get notified to go offshore for the decision on the PMV as it can not be granted when you are in Australia.

My partner (at the time) was from Ukraine and they were processed in Russia, our PMV application was put in just before MH17 was shot down - PMV process times then were around 7-9 months from memory.

 

[ampk]

Multi entry means you can use the visa to enter more than once.

The stay period is the maximum time you can stay for each visit 3, 6 or 12 months.

The visa also has a must not enter after date and an expiry date.

So normally for example you can arrive in Australia and stay for say 87 days. Then go offshore, we went to Singapore for a weekend once then back to Australia. Yes the 3 months then resets. Also you can arrive a day before the visa expires and still stay the full 3 months stay period.

Yes there are a number of 1 month grants most with the NFS attached, not uncommon on first visa grant.

 

[ryan1980]

just bumping this thread again.

Can anyone advise on the possibilities of getting a student visa for my partner, perhaps for one year, and after several months, applying for the PMV300? Or perhaps the other way around - whilst waiting for the PMV300, applying for a student visa?

The possibility of waiting up to 2 years and only being able to see each other off and on really would cause hardship. Also she has expressed an interest in studying here, and/or working in some capacity, rather than sitting around the house for months on end!

 

[LadyRogueRayne]

Student visas are very expensive and she would have to abide by the requirements for it.

Your best bet is what you've already been advised. Apply for the 300 PMV, then try to get a 12 month tourist visa while you wait. Visa grant times are a crap shoot....some are done within about 6 months, others take 18 months or longer.

Honestly, it sounds like having a consultation with a RMA would help you out.

 

[mrsmorrow28]

Id suggest an agent.
The Onshore option of 801 is a good idea to ensure you stay together but it is longer and may not be ideal for your situation but again, not knowing the extent of your relationship it is hard to advise