Big Galah

Hi all. I'm new here and would be grateful for some feedback.

Before I
go any further, apologies about the length of this post and to the
person I PM'd with a load of this stuff.

Anyway, the details: I'm an
Irish citizen, living in the UK for 15 years. I've lived with my partner
for more than 2 years. She's got dual UK/Australian citizenship and will
be sponsoring me. To prove De Facto we will have: Stat Decs from at
least 2 people; bills going to each name at the same address for the
same time period (at least 12 months); have had a joint bank account for
the last 6 months; car insurance and travel documents with both names;
Christmas cards from the same people over 2 years; photos at different
times and places.

My big worry is a conviction for possession of
cannabis almost 15 years ago for which I got a £30 fine. I haven't had
any other trouble with the police. I applied for the police computer
information yesterday but will probably mention the conviction
regardless of what comes back. I've heard of minor convictions a long
time ago sometimes not showing up.

On the plus side, we've just found
out she's pregnant (yes Budgie it's true, yikes!). We want the kid to be
born in Oz but this means me getting a visa (hopefully) by Oct '04 if I
want to be there for the birth. My partner may need to leave earlier
(Jul/Aug) if she can't fly after 6 months.

So, questions/opinions:

1.
Agent or not? The conviction thing is a worry, but I was thinking of
mentioning the circumstances in 'additional information'. Basically, I
was fooled into carrying it for someone else. Rather than trying to make
a sob story or say I was set up I could just admit my mistake, say I was
young and naive (I was!) and how much I regret what happened.

An extra
worry; I've been to Oz twice on an ETA and from what I can remember I
ticked 'NO' on the 'Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?'
question on the landing card. (Do you fill in landing cards if you have
an ETA or am I thinking of NZ?)

Getting a police record from Ireland
which shows nothing would probably help my case, even if I lived there
more than 10 years ago. Is it worth it?

Maybe getting an agent to
proofread my application for a smaller fee would be the best option
here? Especially one experienced in the 501 - Good Character clause. I
think I'm answering my own question...

2. Pregnancy. This isn't covered
in the Partner Migration booklet (that I can see) and doesn't seem to
help your case per se. But, do you mention it in the Joint Statement or
elsewhere? With a doctor's note?

3. Front load or go through the
process? I've already applied for the police info and I believe I can
get a list of registered doctors from the DIMIA website. So, I could
fill out the forms, get my partner to fill out hers, get the Stat Decs
and other proof of De Facto and put it all together nicely with the
police check and medical and get an agent to proofread the whole thing.
I think.

Sorry for all the info and thanks to anyone who's read this
far, I've only just started the whole process.

Any thoughts/input would
be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

BG.

Swiss Tony

Hi,

I used George Lombard on an hourly basis to get me through some
tricky stuff, has worked out well so far. Am submitting next week so the
proof will be in the pudding then.

I could probably help with a few of
your qûeries but am on holiday nad just popped into the internet cafe
here but with a very starnge german keyboard.... who moved all the
keys????

Would take me ages and I want to get back into the snow and
sun right now.... will drop you a line over the weekend,

Good luck

ST

Mairi&Chris

Originally posted by Big Galah
    >
    > 1. Agent or not?
2. Pregnancy.
    > 3. Front load or go through the process?



Hi,
for what its worth, here's my opinion

1. Agents - I dont think
you need to use one, unless as you say you get them to double check
before submission. For the whole thing its a waste of money IMO.
Regarding the conviction, I think its best to use the "I was young and
naive, learnt my lesson, reformed character, upstanding community
member" approach and get a couple of stat decs from family lawyer,
doctor etc to confirm it. There have been a number of people on here
that have had convictions (some more serious and current than
yours)who have successfully obtained visas :) Also even if the
conviction doesnt show up on the PCC, you still have to declare it on
the 47SP. Dont even think about not declaring it.

2. Pregnancy -
doesnt affect the application per se, cos your GF is already
Australian and doesnt get mentioned on your 47SP except as your
sponsor.

3. Front Load - definately !!! Average processing times at
AHC for FL'd defacto visas is about 4 weeks (so say AHC, but lots of
people on here seem to get it back in 2). Given that you have a
fairly fixed timetable for your move anything that will speed it up
has got to be a good idea.


Good luck with your application, and also
your GF's pregnancy. Hope she has an easy one.

Big Galah

Thanks for you reply.

Regarding the pregnancy, I was wondering
if there's anywhere I could mention it to help my case, if
possible.

Cheers.

Bondipom

Originally posted by Big Galah
    > Thanks for you reply.

    > Regarding the pregnancy, I was wondering if there's anywhere I could
mention it to help my case, if possible.
    >
    > Cheers.

Get a
doctors note and it becomes evidence. Make a mention of it in your
statements.

People with more serious convictions than yours have been
given spouse visas but you will need to provide character statements.


Just a note if you apply apply after the birth of the child you will
have been together over 2 years and be eligible for permanent residency
as opposed to a 2 year provisional spouse visa. Without children you
have to be together for 5 years to be eligible for immediate PR.

If
you are thorough and can read the forms and booklets then you do not
need an agent.

If you are uncertain on any points you can always ask
here.

On your evidence I would suggest that you provide at least one
stat dec from each side of the family. It is not essential but may
prevent requests for more info.

For documents try and provide proof
that you have been living at the same address together for at least a
year. The documents do not have to be joint. A mobile bill for one of
you at the same date as a gas bill for the other is a possible example.
Just prove that you have been living under the same roof.

Front end
loading certainly seems to be quicker but it does not increase your
chances of getting the visa.

Good luck.

Shanna

    > Hi,
    > I used George Lombard on an hourly basis to get me through some tricky
    > stuff, has worked out well so far. Am submitting next week so the
    > proof will be in the pudding then.
    > I could probably help with a few of your qûeries but am on holiday
    > nad just popped into the internet cafe here but with a very starnge
    > german keyboard.... who moved all the keys????
    > Would take me ages and I want to get back into the snow and sun right
    > now.... will drop you a line over the weekend,
    > Good luck
    > ST

Apologize for bringing this old thread back.
I was searching for keywords "agent hourly basis", got this thread.
Which one is better? Using agent on hourly basis or contract.
I am going to need an agent assistance, not sure which options should I
do.
Any opinion? Thanks.

--SS