With Partner Visas and Prospective Marriage Visas, there are certain golden rules which we simply can’t get around. These are some of the issues Down Under Visa face every week.
This is set into law. Set in the regulations. You may say set in concrete, because there is no provision for waivers. If you don’t meet in person, you can’t successfully apply. It will fail. Continue reading
Australia has a very large number of different visa types, and all are governed by legislated Regulations defining what must-be and what must-not-be for that visa to be granted. And they take these Regulations very seriously when making decisions.
This is very different to many countries, where a tourist visa is almost the “base visa” which is the one you get when you don’t qualify (or couldn’t be bothered applying) for another more specific visa. That’s how it works in the Philippines. There are people here who’ve been on a tourist visa for more than 10 years! They just keep on extending it, and they continue to live here. Continue reading
“She wants them to finish schooling in Philippines!”
“My mother wants them to finish schooling…….”
“[name of child] wants to finish schooling…..”
These are common reasons for Filipino children NOT being included as migrating dependents (aka “secondary applicants”) in Australian partner visa applications.
I’m sure most of our clients know all too well about the revenue-raising increase in the cost of partner visa applications that happened 1 January 2015. Offshore applications, which are 99% of our applications, have gone up from $3,085.00 to $4,630.00, and fees for kids have also risen.
Much as I wish it wasn’t the case, the Government were correct in knowing they had a captive audience. No one is going to give up on their true love. I don’t believe any Filipino/Filipino spouse or fiancee has been dumped because of this. They know that you will find a way, and the Government coffers will increase as a result.
Down Under Visa do not tolerate bogus documents or false statements. Many of our clients know all too well how we react when such things are suggested. Despite that fact threatens the integrity of the system we work in as well as the integrity of the visa application we would manage and lodge, nothing is worth us risking our registration as Registered Migration Agents with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority). False statements and fake documents can also be considered fraud and are open to criminal prosecution.
Jeff Harvie MARN 0959797
