Australian applying in Aus. for UK Family Visa (Spouse) QUESTIONS

[pdiddybdoddy]

Hi everyone,

My wife will shortly be applying for a UK Family Visa from Australia. We have read through all the information on the gov.uk site and are confident we meet all the criteria BUT what is still unclear is the process that we must follow to apply.

It’s obvious that the application must be lodged online, but that’s where the clarity ends! After that point, it seems that there’s conflicting information about where documents will need to be sent, whether or not my wife will need to make an appointment for an interview…

Has anyone actually successfully navigated this weird and wonderful process? Any helpful hints would be most appreciated!

[CR001]

She needs to apply online and book an appointment to submit and enroll her biometrics (not an interview). The online system will tell you the process and what needs to be done.

Many application centres now scanned all the supporting documents but sometimes you are still required to submit them to Sheffield.

[pdiddybdoddy]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Yes, the Sheffield thing had me a bit confused – thanks for clarifying.

Do you know if it’s possible/allowed to submit the online application before she returns to Aus? She’s in the UK at the moment as a visitor, and it’d be good to know exactly what she’ll need to have with her when she returns, and what I should hold on to here to submit to Sheffield (if need be).

[pdiddybdoddy]

First, a bit of background:
My wife is currently here in the UK with us as a visitor, but will be heading back to Australia next year to apply for a Family Visa (Spouse) as per the gov.uk guidelines. We are confident that we will fulfill all criteria by the time that she will submit her application.

We know that she must complete her application online in Australia, and once submitted must book an appointment at an Australian VSFGlobal application centre to submit paperwork, give biometric data etc.

What we’re not clear on, however, is:

1. Whether she must be outside the UK at the time that she makes her application online (can it be ‘started’ here in the UK and ‘submitted’ once back in Aus – or, even better, would it be possible to submit whilst still in the UK)?
2. How long is the wait between submitting the application online and attending an appointment at VSFGlobal (which is part of the reason I ask question 1)?
3. Should I send all my supporting documents (payslips, letter from employer, bank statements etc.) with my wife, to take to the VSFGlobal appointment, or send it all up to Sheffield myself?

Any advice from someone else who has been through this process would be much appreciated!