Reversing the process - migrating to Australia

[noremac 3]

My wife and I got our USA born son Australian citizenship by descent in about 3 weeks for a total cost of about $200ish. It was quick, painless and a really easy process in comparison to my immigration to the USA.

[hktw 7]

My offshore subclass 309 application took 4 months to completion

I just followed the guide step by step and everything went without a hitch.

The closest Aus version of VJ I have found is actually:

http://www.australiaforum.com/

They have timelines, etc, and an incredibly helpful community.

In the end we chose to move to America because of the affordability of homes, but I will keep my Aus residency current, and we will both keep our Medicare cards so that medical care doesn't bankrupt us like it does to U.S. residents/citizens.

We have talked to the Aus immigrate office, they said Aus residency is forever status.

They don't cancel it like the US does.

However,we can't keep Medicare cards forever current because Medicare centre has to see you are really permanent living in Australia during 5 years time period.

If not,you won't be allowed to renew your medicare card after medicare card is expired, except you show your ties in Australia such as you sell your all oversea properties and totally move back to Australia.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

We have talked to the Aus immigrate office, they said Aus residency is forever status.

They don't cancel it like the US does.

However,we can't keep Medicare cards forever current because Medicare centre has to see you are really permanent living in Australia during 5 years time period.

If not,you won't be allowed to renew your medicare card after medicare card is expired, except you show your ties in Australia such as you sell your all oversea properties and totally move back to Australia.

Really? Forever status? I might start looking into getting this for my husband then. In an ideal world we'd get him residency then come back here to the US to continue to live until we're ready... which would mean we wouldn't have to worry about immigration concerns when the time DOES come. You've given me something to research THANKS!!

[riss 12]

I just had to share this. L and I really want to move back to Australia within a year or two after I finally get my fiance visa and go over there to marry him. I had been looking around to try and find a lawyer who could give me some advice, and most of them won't really say anything to you other than telling you that they charge $3000 or so for the partner visa process, and $500 for an hour's consultation. Anyway today I was looking to see if there were any immigration lawyers that I could talk to by phone, and found one website, so I phoned them up. The lady who took my call - not sure if she was a lawyer or just a migration specialist - calmly sat there and asked for all the details of our situation, let me ask a bunch of questions about it, answered all the questions, and then took my email address and told me she would confirm the answers she'd given to some of my questions and send me some more information when she'd researched it. I nearly fell over. There was no charge for the call - I guess they must be banking on the fact that when they are so helpful, people are going to want to come back and use their service. I certainly plan to! She quoted me what seemed a reasonable price for when we do decide to start the visa application process. Due to our situation being a little unusual, I am not going to try to do this myself next time round! I've found the process of applying for our US fiance visa a little more involved than I could comfortably handle, due to our case not fitting the standard on a few issues, and with mistakes and ignorance costing us extra time and stress - so by this point my feeling is that paying for assistance with the Australian visa will be money well spent.

Anyway, so I know I'm probably not supposed to be promoting someone's legal service on here, but if anyone's interested to have the number, send me a pm. If you have preliminary questions and so on, they may be a good place to call and get some information without having to pay an hour's consultation with a lawyer.

Riss

Edited December 17, 2012 by riss

[sweethomealabama 0]

I came to oz on a spouse visa and it took around 3 months to get it. I got PR which gives you everything you need multiple travel, Medicare etc. it wasn't too bad just paperwork and they will give you a caseworker which is easier to work with than the US system!!

[Lainie B 465]

I came to oz on a spouse visa and it took around 3 months to get it. I got PR which gives you everything you need multiple travel, Medicare etc. it wasn't too bad just paperwork and they will give you a caseworker which is easier to work with than the US system!!

How long were you married when you applied? We may apply in the next year or two. I am hoping to get my husband in as a PR from the beginning, not as a temporary, but I heard it depends on how long you have been married when you apply.

[riss 12]

3 months, sweethomealabama? The migration agents I contacted said that the length of time to expect for a spousal visa would be around 10 months. I've heard other people say it only took them several months as well. I wonder what the difference is - there's only one kind of spousal visa, right?

[sweethomealabama 0]

I applied in 2007, and it said don't apply too early or your visa is only limited for a certain travel time. We were married 2 years when got it, but it was not a big deal to switch to the permanent from the temp residency and you still get Medicare without having the full PR. I am pretty certain it only took me 3 months and I had a nice case officer that I felt with, but this again was a few years ago. You don't even get a new visa in your passport, they just adjust your status on their 'system'

[mingus_drake 0]

We've been living in the US for over three years and I'm about to get my us citizenship. We're starting to consider the idea of moving back to Australia someday. Anyone know if there are any issues with me sponsoring my husband while I'm still living in the US? I have a job here but would have to leave it to move there. So I won't have a job in Australia as his sponsor. Hope that makes sense?

[Lainie B 465]

We've been living in the US for over three years and I'm about to get my us citizenship. We're starting to consider the idea of moving back to Australia someday. Anyone know if there are any issues with me sponsoring my husband while I'm still living in the US? I have a job here but would have to leave it to move there. So I won't have a job in Australia as his sponsor. Hope that makes sense?

I think Australia removed the assurance of support (sponsorship) requirement for partner visas recently, as of January 1 2012.

http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/whats_new.htm#a

So I don't see a problem with you not having a job

[mingus_drake 0]

I think Australia removed the assurance of support (sponsorship) requirement for partner visas recently, as of January 1 2012.

http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/whats_new.htm#a

So I don't see a problem with you not having a job

thanks very much.