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| Lodging in person: On-Shore defacto; Can I get an appointment to lodge my application in person? | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 6 2010, 01:53:41 PM (591 Views) | |
| katerina | Sep 6 2010, 01:53:41 PM Post #1 |
Anklebiter
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Hi Everyone, So sorry if this question has already been answered. I couldn't find it and I'm stressing a little bit! I've tried to make an appointment to lodge my on-shore de facto application but apparently can't get one! The lady I spoke to told me that if I want to lodge in person I basically just have to go down to the Sydney DIAC office and drop it in a box at the front desk. I can't speak to anyone or meet with a CO. Is this anyone else's experience? I've heard of other people getting appointments to lodge and actually speaking to their CO. I'm currently on a WHV and am not sure how I go about applying for a bridging visa while I wait on the de-facto to process? I was kind of counting on talking to someone at the time! I've found DIAC to be quite unhelpful whenever I call. I can't tell you how much I'd appreciate any help. I'm planning to apply in about 3 weeks. Thanks so much! Kat Edited by katerina, Sep 6 2010, 01:55:32 PM.
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| michaelavelli | Sep 6 2010, 04:41:52 PM Post #2 |
True Blue Mate
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I had an appointment in Adelaide, but when I showed up, I was told to take a number like everyone else. We did meet with a person, but it wasn't a CO - the whole thing was little more than handing in my application and paying the fee. We did get the letter about my bridging visa and letter to enroll in Medicare, but she hardly looked at my application itself at all, I think she was just a processor or something. I thought I've read that in Sydney, people sometimes are approved on the spot when they go to lodge, so it seems odd that you wouldn't be able to make an appointment. I'm sorry thought that I can't speak with any experience specifically with Sydney. I will say that you don't really "apply" for a bridging visa, or at least I didn't. As soon as you lodge your application, you basically automatically get a bridging visa that kicks in on the day that your original visa runs out. |
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| AmbroseChick | Sep 6 2010, 06:23:05 PM Post #3 |
True Blue Mate
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I turned our application in person at the Southport office on the Gold Coast. The person who took our application took the time to look over our application and informed us of paperwork that was missing. We took the missing paperwork in the next day and the same person took our now complete application, processed our payment then gave us a letter indicating that our application was lodged, etc. When we had our troubles with the Queensland Education department, we went in and again he met with us. He was extremely helpful all the times that we went in. The CO that we were assigned to was also very helpful when I had questions about a medical form that needed to be completed. All in all, our experience with Australian immigration was excellent. Professional, helpful and very caring and understanding. |
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| katerina | Sep 6 2010, 08:52:28 PM Post #4 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks for your answers, I really appreciate it. I'm not sure why this is proving so difficult! Maybe when I go to lodge the person receiving the application will be able to tell me something? It's good to know that the bridging visa gets granted automatically. That's at least one extra weight off. Edited by katerina, Sep 6 2010, 08:53:57 PM.
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| blarg | Sep 6 2010, 11:00:49 PM Post #5 |
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True Blue Mate
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I had an appointment to lodge in person (at Sydney CBD DIAC). The person that met us for our appointment was our case officer. That was a year and a half ago, so who knows now whether they'd do that or not now, but I know I did it a year and a half ago.  |
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| AmbroseChick | Sep 6 2010, 11:41:46 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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The bridge visa becomes active once the other visa expires. In our case, the bridge visa was active for about 2 days before our permanent residency was granted. Again - the person accepting your application should be able to tell you just in case your situation is different. |
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| katerina | Sep 6 2010, 11:44:05 PM Post #7 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks blarg I'm already a little worried about going from a WHV to a de facto (i've heard immigration sometimes considers that fishy?) and was kind of counting on being able to talk to a CO so I could plead my case... Oh well! I guess if they say you don't do appointments then I should take them at their word 
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| AmbroseChick | Sep 6 2010, 11:50:19 PM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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We arrived in Australia on a tourist visa so there ya go. Of course we consulted Australian immigration prior to ever coming to make sure we were all good and legit. My husband is from Australia and we've been together for 13 years so I'm sure that helped the situation. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress of your application! |
| Check it out! Facebook page: Americans Living in Queensland | |
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| blarg | Sep 8 2010, 12:16:35 AM Post #9 |
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True Blue Mate
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The biggest thing to be careful of is that you have to be able to prove the entire 365 day requirement. Not 364, 365. If you're not going to be ready, or you're cutting it close, I would highly recommend seeking out some professional help to get advice for your situation. You might need to go back to the states and apply from there, or all kinds of things. I wouldn't want to apply, spend the mega bucks, and then get told that I didn't qualify because I was 1 day short! |
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| katerina | Sep 8 2010, 11:22:09 AM Post #10 |
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Anklebiter
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Good advice, blarg. I wonder if you'd know if it's ok to apply on the very last day of your visa? I've been with my partner for 3 years, lived together as de facto for 6 months in the states, but then we were separated for 5 months while I was trying to get the money together to come here for a WH. I didn't know if that 5 month gap might be too long even if I can prove I always had an intent to come to Australia and that the relationship continued? I got to Australia on the 20th of October last year and was going to apply for De facto on the 19th of October this year just to be on the safe side if they'll only count this last 12 months. |
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| JLA | Sep 8 2010, 11:30:02 AM Post #11 |
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Piker
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I went from a WHV to a ONshore defacto No problem, I even applied on the very day my WHV expired. I was granted a bridging Visa instantly. As far as the 12 month rule I have heard recently that a new law is in place that if you "declare" yourself as a defacto couple to the Aus Government, the 12 month rule is void. You may want to look into this but I have heard of several cases where couples have done this. Dont stress I know I did too, it will all work out, just make sure Everything you need for the visa is completed. Medicals police checks everything. Cheers! JLA |
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| katerina | Sep 8 2010, 11:40:30 AM Post #12 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks JLA! I did look into declaring to the government but it takes almost 4 weeks for a certificate to be issued after an initial 28 day cooling off period. I wish I'd known about that earlier! It would have been such a good way to go. If you don't mind me asking did you have that certificate when you applied? Or did you just go straight into WHV -> De facto without it? |
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| JLA | Sep 8 2010, 12:56:02 PM Post #13 |
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Piker
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No that law wasnt in effect when i did mine, I arrived on sept 2 2008 and applied for my Defacto sept 2 2009 on the very day! lol 12 months to the day! I just supplied plenty of proof that we were living together the whole time even though my name wasnt on her lease from the start.(mail bills etc.) I would appy on the very day you arrived. They can refuse it for the 1 day gap your talking about. Its nerve racking i know but it worked out fine for me. I think these laws are in effect to sort out the fakes. They know who they are looking for. Make sure you supply plenty of photos emails, love letters, everything very personal. I acutally built a 170 page portfolio. It was granted in 60 days. Any other questions lemme know Also that 6 month time in the states you lived as defacto does count! Just supply Proof. Cheers! Jeremy Edited by JLA, Sep 8 2010, 12:59:51 PM.
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| katerina | Sep 8 2010, 12:59:16 PM Post #14 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks, Jeremy. I really appreciate all the help. I didn't know that it was 1 year to the day that your visa lasts! I'd always just assumed that if I came in on the 20th then I'd have to leave on the 19th. |
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| JLA | Sep 8 2010, 01:01:37 PM Post #15 |
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Piker
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Yes its midnight on the 20th it will expire. Just get there early lol Also, just be very careful with the "Intent" When you apply. DONT say in your statement you came here on your WHV to apply for a Defacto Visa. The WHV can be changed to a Onshore 820 Defacto but... it is not intended to become a gateway visa to Perm Residency. Just say somthing like I came to Aus to live and see how things went together and decided to live here with my partner After I had arrived or something along those lines. Anything else let me know, Ive studied this process way too much lol Cheers! Jeremy Edited by JLA, Sep 8 2010, 01:07:50 PM.
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| katerina | Sep 8 2010, 01:05:20 PM Post #16 |
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Good to know! I'm loving this board. Helps to take so much of the stress out. |
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| JLA | Sep 8 2010, 01:09:39 PM Post #17 |
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Yes I wish I had found this site prior to my visa process. LOL |
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