Where do I begin? W&HV

Replies: 3 - Last Post: Aug 19, 2012 2:19 AM Last Post By: Nice_But__

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Aug 15, 2012 3:39 PM
Posts: 1

Where do I begin? W&HV

Hi LonelyPlanet,

I need help with my current situation and was wondering if anyone could help me out here. My girlfriend is a US citizen and wants to live with me in Australia. I'm an Australian citizen with a full-time job and we are both 20 years old. Where do I begin?

I have been suggested elsewhere, that a possible route for her would be to apply for a Work & Holiday Visa and stay here for 12 months. On the day her WHV expires, we can apply for the Partner visa under the basis of a de-facto relationship(?), as we would have accumulated the 12 month requirement. I was also told that registering our relationship in NSW would help with the process?

Is this route possible? Does anyone else have another route we both could look into?

Thanks in advance!

Justin23

Aug 15, 2012 4:02 PM
Posts: 1,484

Look thats a start assuming she is eligible for the W&HV. I think there are other conditions other than age for US citizens.

Its probably the easiest way to do it. A friend of mine married a US citizen and they mostly spent time travelling between the USA and Australia. It was sufficient proof to show they'd been in a relationship for a couple of years, even though they spent alot of time apart, the frequent visiting of each other, in each others own country was proof enough that a relationship existed.

So you may want to give it more than 12 months of proof. After the W&HV expires maybe you can go to the USA for a few months as well.

bude

Aug 16, 2012 5:00 AM
Posts: 105

You don't need 12 months living together to apply for a Partner visa if it's a registered relationship (or if you get married). But less than 6 months living together and Immigration will doubt your genuineness. The longer you've been in a relationship together before you apply the mor elikely she is to get a visa.

The other issue that will create doubts by Immigration is your age - you'll have to convince Immigration that you are mature enough to have made a commitment to a future together.

If your girlfriend can't get a Work and Holiday visas - and getting married is something you are considering- you could sponsor her on a Prospective Marriage visa.

Nice_But__

Aug 19, 2012 2:19 AM
Posts: 1,131

She could get a W+HV (if she;s eligible) as a way to 'try out' a year together.
But on the application, there can be NO mention/indication of the relationship.

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