At Down Under Visa we have no problem with whether you wish to marry in Australia or in Philippines or other countries. (Down Under Visa can help you with Australian visas for Asia including the Philippines, China, Thailand and Vietnam). No problems whatsoever. It’s not about us. It’s all about you, as it always is.
I just did a BLOG post about the advantages of a prospective marriage visa. And whilst yes, we do more prospective marriage visa applications than partner visa applications, we still do plenty of partner visa applications.
The Subclass 309 Partner Visa is for those who wish to marry (normally in the Philippines or other countries) at the beginning of the process. They either come to us when they are already married, or when they intend to marrying during the normal time that a partner visa application is processed. At the moment they are taking an average of 9 months. Which means if you intend marrying in about then next 6 months or so, yes this is ideal. Just understand that they won’t grant the visa until the marriage takes place.
Major issue in OUR view is the issue of free time! How much do you have? How much time off work can you take? Why do I ask? Because to marry in the Philippines without giving yourself some sort of stress-disorder will take you 3 – 4 weeks! Can you spare that much time? If not, then don’t do it!
Why 3 – 4 weeks?
You need to do umpteen different things to get a wedding done.
- A certificate of No Impediment to Marriage from the Australian Embassy first.
- 10 days to organise a marriage license at the local City Hall.
- A seminar on birth control (in Tagalog) to attend. Yes, I’m serious!
Then the marriage itself, which means:
- Organising the celebrant, which is either a judge or a priest at the Church. “Marriage Celebrants” like they have in Australia don’t exist.
- If it’s a Church wedding, you have at least one pre cana seminar to attend. Sometimes several.
- And you need outfits, ie. wedding dresses, barong tagalog (funny-looking shirt), outfits for the wedding party (which may be huge)
- Rings
- Reception
The wedding
If this is in the province somewhere, this might mean a few pigs get knocked on the head and mountains of rice is cooked. If in the city, it probably means a reception place and caterers. If in the city, it means a fairly set number of guests. If in the province, it means half the town will just turn up. And in most cases it means that various aunties, cousins, etc will pretty much take over organising everything. You probably won’t have much of an idea what is actually happening, and just need to do as you’re told.
It will be chaotic by western standards. It will be noisy and crowded, and you will be swept along in it all. The ceremony will have strange things like coins, chords, doves being released maybe. You may well arrive in a jeepney or even a tricycle.
Of course this will suit your bride-to-be, and it will make her family very happy. This is one of the huge plusses. It means a great deal to all of them. But you need to ask yourself whether it will suit you or not! Some people absolutely love it! Others? Even with enough time, they still find it less than desirable. It really depends on your personality.
So, consider TIME and your OWN PERSONALITY (patience, sense of humour, need to be in control), and make a decision and let us know. Happy to help you no matter what you decide.
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Offshore Partner Visas and Prospective Marriage Visas
Yes it is total chaos, but if you love your woman then it is worth it.
Yes it is
Hi jeff this roditha, which visa is the best for us for my bf in ausyralia, if we can get marry here in the philippines and we get tourist visa and travel together to australia which one is the best offahore or onshore visa?? My bf cannot wait 2 years tobe together..
I’ve already sent you an assessment, Roditha. Please let me know your thoughts (by email)?
I have been shopping for an migration agent for months.
so glad I found Downunder, patriotism usually puts me of, a scoundrels last refuge.
But this site is amazing, all the information is there in black and white in I haven’t come across any other agents website so well laid out. I met a client of Jeff at the Bayview park hotel, nothing but praise. previous agents were aloof, fast talking, some even creepy.
I strongly recommend Downunder, the website sells itself.
My Wife and I decided the most important thing was the sub class 309 (partner Visa), so she could get here to oz asap.We had a civil marriage in city hall, with the judge there. Ok, it cost us 12,000php for the service, but everything was done for us, even the submission and collection of paperwork to and from the Nation Statistics Office, (N.S.O.).
As far as the marriage reception/ celebration was concerned, we said to each other, let’s do it later. Once you are in Australia we can then plan and prepare financially for it and come back to the Phils just for the purpose of the celebration for the family. This has saved us a lot of money and let us spend our limited funds on the most important things like the visa etc. Also when we come back for the celebration, it will be that, and that only that we have on our minds and not all the visa and other stuff to worry about at the same time.
We MADE her family understand—–We hope.
Cheers
Ian Sanders
Interested to your answer Geff
Answer to what, Royston?
+ Ian Sanders:
I found your short article a little confusing actually; sorry, no offense meant.
You mention ‘here in oz ASAP’, but then you talk costs in PHP? So did
you married in Australia or The Philippines?
And in what ways did you save money?
Bargain, thanks for the hope
Can I apply a partner visa or a fiancee visa,while I’m still married for my x husband?tnx sir Jeff
You can apply for a partner visa based on a de facto relationship IF you are now in a de facto relationship with your new partner for 12 months or more.
Hi Jeff, I’m a female Australian citizen marrying my fiancé back in the Philippenes soon in a Christian Church as we want it a tradional filipono wedding. What is the best visa to apply so he can get here in Australia? Thank you Jeff
A partner visa, Rachelle. Either onshore or offshore. Please complete our online visa assessment form, and I’m sure we can help you.
If my wife is pregnant and due in a month or two is it OK on a partner visa,, then could I get Medicare for her
Mark, she wouldn’t even get on a plane at this stage. We can help you with a partner visa, but pre-birth? You’ve waited too long, from the sound of things.
Hi Jeff
I have been looking at all the responses from people you have accommodated for visas on u tube and all seem extremely happy.
I have recently returned from Cebu and its my third time since Jan 1st to April 1st 2017, obviously there is a reason, yes a female which i have known for a little over 3 months, i know its not a long time but its better than a week like some.
My question is what is the best way to bring a philippino girlfriend permanently to australia without marriage, reason is i have already done that once for 23yrs and was very expensive, such as courts, dividing assets, dissolving companies etc.
I have also applied for a visitor visa in the meantime.
I feel confident that you may help me.
Regards
John
Entirely up to you, John. Just note you need to be in an existing de facto relationship to apply for a partner visa. You can’t apply in order to start one. Suggest you complete the online visa assessment form and lets see if we can help you.
I am married last July 2015 in Australia and I’m still in the Philippines? What can we do to apply for visa for me to be with my husband? As its so hard to be incomplete as a family. I married him not to be far from him. I hope you can help us.
Thank you
God bless
Regards,
APG
Please go to our website and complete our free online visa assessment form. Hope we can help you. https://www.downundervisa.com/visa-assessment/
Hi, Im on my Tourist Visa now and I’m in Sydney with my boyfriend. Our relationship is almost 3 years now and we’re planning to apply for defacto Visa. Is that possible to another visa even my tourist visa is multiple entry and will expire on Sept 2018?
If you qualify to apply for a partner visa, yes you can. But why ask about another tourist visa if that’s the case?
Hi Im marj
im a filipina australian citizen and getting married with my fiancee on march 2018 . we are planning to lodge the partner visa offshore online after the wedding. Just want to ask how long will it take for the temporary visa 301?300? to be approved?
Get some help, Marj. (a) No such thing as a temporary visa 301, (b) A Subclass 300 is a Prospective Marriage Visa for those who aren’t married yet. Suggest you complete one of our free visa assessment forms.
Hello, we just get married last jan. 25 with my australian husband , wanna ask what visa should i apply for to make it for me to get there in Australia and what are d papers needed to process. Thanks!
I’m not going to tell you how to lodge your own visa application, sorry. If you would like help, please use our free visa assessment form on our Down Under Visa website.
What is the cost for partner visa.
My son and his filipino partner have been together for 2 years and now have a 1 year old son. He wants to bring them here to australia, as hes always flying back and forth for work here. What are their chances money is tight so they need assurance it will happen.
You should complete the free online visa assessment form on our website, Vicki. I can explain costs to you after that. And I can’t offer your son a guarantee, as the outcome is not in my hands.
Hi jeff , i have two sons 23 and 21..can i bring them to australia?? Or shall i include them in the visa??
They need to be dependent on you. Please discuss with me after you see the assessment.