Is K1 a good enough exemption to leave Australia?

[Sharmarine 50]

On 2/21/2021 at 4:08 AM, Amberose said:

Hello.

 

My fiance had his K1 visa approved, and his interview has been scheduled 2 weeks from now (which he needs to reschedule since he doesn't have all his paper work completed yet with his medical).

 

My question is, does anyone know if him getting approved after his interview count as a good enough exemption for him to leave the country?  I know that he has up to 6 months after interview approval to leave, and that it can be extended if needed, but is everything on hold even with K1 to just leave?  Even one way?

 

Also, if anyone has been able to get out, how have you guys been getting your families involved from Australia?  I've been planning this for almost 2 years now, and the rona has obviously been a major problem.  I'm trying to get his parents, sister, and two friends to be in our wedding or at least attend in Hawaii, since their cases are low and its isolated.  How have you all been handling this, trying to get your families to attend?  I saw that a funeral would be a good enough reason to be able to leave, but what about a wedding?  Are there steps I can take to make this possible sometime this year?

 

Thanks!

The information on the department of home affairs website regarding exemptions to leave Australia, ought to be helpful to you both. Best wishes! 😊

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia#toc-5

[yvonme 124]

On 2/20/2021 at 1:00 PM, Amberose said:

Yes, noted.  I'm hoping due to the island location, lack of cases, and the reason requested for travel, I may be able to make it work out okay.  Thank you!

I'm trying to get him to gather information before the interview as well so he has all he needs to ask the right questions about travel for himself and see if they can get out as well.  Since it is a few months off still, I'm hoping there may be some change for the better.... HOPING...

Your fiancé’s family will have to request exemptions to travel. Your fiancé is exempt and will be able to leave on a one way ticket.

 

Your fiancé’s family will be subject to local quarantine orders should they visit the US and go back to AUS. 
 

I wouldn’t wait for AUS local laws to change to get your fiancé here and have a ceremony. My fiancé and myself will visit Australia later and have a party then. Totally normal these days. Goodluck. 

[Jaccerz 1]

On 3/3/2021 at 4:41 AM, yvonme said:

Your fiancé’s family will have to request exemptions to travel. Your fiancé is exempt and will be able to leave on a one way ticket.

 

Your fiancé’s family will be subject to local quarantine orders should they visit the US and go back to AUS. 
 

I wouldn’t wait for AUS local laws to change to get your fiancé here and have a ceremony. My fiancé and myself will visit Australia later and have a party then. Totally normal these days. Goodluck. 

I just want to question this, 

How would he be exempt? He still has to apply for the approval to leave the country.
Im about to apply for my approval to leave the country, and the amount of ####### i have to write in it, is unbelievable. 

Has anyone actually gone through this process of applying to leave australia on a k1 visa? And my next question, is has anyone been rejected? 

[HRQX 4,145]

5 minutes ago, Jaccerz said:

Has anyone actually gone through this process of applying to leave australia on a k1 visa?

@Cilllah has done the process with K-1:

 

[Lil bear 4,323]

On 2/20/2021 at 2:16 PM, Amberose said:

Thank you!  Do you happen to know if his immediate family and few friends would be allowed out to attend the wedding?  Even if there are specific quarantining instructions, I'm open to all options!

They will not be likely to be granted exemptions to leave. The intending immigrant .. the K1 fiancé ...  should be granted and exemption though I think there have been some vjers who have had to apply several times before being granted. 

[Lil bear 4,323]

On 2/20/2021 at 2:32 PM, Boiler said:

Getting back into Australia would be the tricky bit.https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/16/australias-international-travel-ban-and-arrivals-cap-investigated-by-audit-office

 

United and Delta are still flying regularly from the west coast .. LAX and SFO.... and I’m seeing full economy seats available much more often now than even 4 months ago. Still >$4000 

[yvonme 124]

3 hours ago, Jaccerz said:

I just want to question this, 

How would he be exempt? He still has to apply for the approval to leave the country.
Im about to apply for my approval to leave the country, and the amount of ####### i have to write in it, is unbelievable. 

Has anyone actually gone through this process of applying to leave australia on a k1 visa? And my next question, is has anyone been rejected? 

Hi,

Please visit department of affairs AUS. And apply for exemption. The reason “To immigrate” is an option to choose from that are acceptable reasons to leave on a one way ticket and visa approved by embassy in hand  

Yvo

[Sharmarine 50]

In some K1 Visa Facebook groups that I'm a member of, there have been posts made by Australians who after having applied for an exemption to leave on the grounds of immigration, have had their applications denied, despite having PLENTY of evidence. Yet others have been successful with having less evidence. There often seems to be little to no consistency with how exemptions are decided. I find it all to be such a daunting (yet necessary) part of the journey, one that hopefully will cease to exist eventually. 

Not so long ago, it was an easier process to apply for and be granted an exemption. However, due to it being misused by some (the leaving for 3 months+ category), it has now been made more difficult, and a Federal Statutory Declaration is now required. Thankfully should an exemption request be unsuccessful, you can re-apply.

[Sharmarine 50]

This is the link to the Department of Home Affairs website. 

 

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia

[Cilllah 487]

Yeah, I did it in July, 2020. I had a whole lot of evidence and was accepted. I'm not sure what has changed since then though. I had a lot of proof regarding canceling/selling everything for my daughter and I as well as my now-husband needing me as he is high risk for COVID.

[midsummer 84]

The process has changed somewhat - I think as at 3 months ago? You complete a form, complete and upload a stat dec plus any documents relevant to your request such as your U.S. Visa. Basically anything you have that you think will help them make a decision in your favour. You can save your progress and when ready press submit.

 

I applied for a travel exemption on Sunday afternoon and received approval at breakfast time today [Tuesday]. I applied under compelling and compassionate grounds per the advice here and was granted an exemption under urgent and unavoidable personal business. I can't say whether this is the option you should use but I can say that they will assign you the reason that makes sense from their perspective. 

[Amberose 3]

On 2/21/2021 at 5:43 AM, RP&JE said:

Hi Amberose, congratulations on getting an interview date (finally). I wanted to share our experience with exemptions.. we’ve applied 4 times for my fiancé and 2 times for me, reasons stretching from us to get married to mental health suffering since not being able to see each other to him visiting his home country (England) to visit his elderly Nan that isn’t in the best health, and they were all declined. Based on that experience, just my opinion, it doesn’t seem like they’re warranting “marriage” or anything relationship based as compassionate enough reasoning. However, all you can do is try! The form on their AU.gov website is pretty straight forward and easy to fill out. Sending you all the well wishes! 
 

Question for you, if you would be willing to share. I noticed on your timeline that your NOA2 was in May of 2020 - why was there such a delay to get the interview not scheduled until 2 weeks from now? I’ve heard the horror stories of the longest wait times ever... but that seems overly aggressive. Do you have any insight you could share? 
 

much appreciated! 
J 

Hi there, sorry about a late reply.

Yes, unfortunately the dates are accurate.  Both my fiance and I contacted the officials in both our countries, because we didn't receive any word from them until late January/early February after NOA2 was received in May of 2020.  This was due to COVID and reduced staffing, per the US Embassy in AUS and the USCIS in the US.  I am sorry about your struggles, I also haven't seen my fiance since we got engaged January 2019.

[Amberose 3]

UPDATE:  Interview was on the 22nd, denied due to pending medical.  They received it a few days post interview.

Yesterday, received email that visa was APPROVED!

Mailed parcel with satchel and passport this AM.

Will apply for exemption shortly and continue to update.

Thanks all!

[Sharmarine 50]

17 hours ago, Amberose said:

UPDATE:  Interview was on the 22nd, denied due to pending medical.  They received it a few days post interview.

Yesterday, received email that visa was APPROVED!

Mailed parcel with satchel and passport this AM.

Will apply for exemption shortly and continue to update.

Thanks all!

Congratulations! 😀 May all go well with your exemption application. 

[Amberose 3]

Thank you!!!

 

UPDATE:  After providing all the evidence with exemption application, they replied the next day with an approval.  My fiance is an immigrant from New Zealand so he received an auto exemption somehow?!

Will be arriving here on May 6th.

Thanks to all who have helped!