I live in the Uk and have just been to Austrlia for the last year on a working holiday visa.... i am looking at getting and Independent visa... ( because i am in a same sex relationship) does anyone know how hard it is to get one? i am only 19 and i was living with my partner and her parents... so i dont have any bills or anything in joint ownership! we are looking at getting our own house then i move over there on my visa :D i cant wait i am just worried that because i am so young that it is going to be very hard! my partner is still in Austrlaia and i wanna get back there as soon as possible do u know how long it takes and how much of a chance a stand of being able to do this!!!! please help!
Kerryanne: The rules are bascially the same as for a spouse visa. All forms and guides are available from the department of immigration website. The application in and of itself is relatively straight foward but do pay attention to detail.
As a UK citizen, you may find a slightly easier ride through than perhaps a Russian citizen would, but for all intents and purposes, if the department is doing it's job, it should be little different. The key issues will most likely be A) Length and stability of the relationship, independent verification and supporting evidence. B) Financial stability of your sponsor, in this case probably your partner.
If your partner is of similar age to you with limited assets and or cash flow, you will find the review officer will take a very long hard look at it. If this is the case, the department may do one of several things. At worst, blanket reject the application. At best, request (I can't recall the technical term) a verification of support which covers 2 things, 1) Your sponsor will not seek social security and 2)There is some kind of external support, ie: your sponsors parents or similar. Another option for the department, or more particularly you, is to opt for an independent sponsor if the financial side is relevant. This is not often done but quite within the guidelines.
My personal opinion is that age will be the thing which raises alarm bells with the review office. Processing standards are the same as for other partner applications and officially the standards state that up to 10 months to process. My wife's (then fiance') application took 7 months, friends of ours (Same demographics, same embassy) took 2 weeks.
Another matter you should consider is that you will not be able to access HECS for any university study until you recieve a resident visa. Probably 2 + years after arrival and as such you would be a full fee paying student as is any other foreign citizen.
Yer i dont think i would find a job.... i was there for a year looking to get sponsered!! and i didnt :( i dont know wat to do.... i just wanna be with her but there is not easy way to do it!!!!
Dunromin: thank you very much for your help :D it was good..... i am hoping that money wont be an issue my parents are willing to give me and my partner the money to set us up :D so hopefully that will be taken into account!!! :D thank you i am not looking to study for a while... just looking to do basic work till i am settled then i might think about study :D