Speeding Up Compulsory ID Cards for Foreign Nationals

September 1st, 2009

Home Secretary Alan Johnson has recently been in talks with the UK Border Agency to look at ways in which the proposed identity card scheme for foreign nationals may be speeded up.

The current plans see all foreign nationals requiring compulsory identity cards within three years, meaning that any person from outside the European Economic Area wanting to live and work in the UK for more than six months will have to go through the rigorous process of obtaining an identity card, which includes both personal and biometric information.

read more at marriagevisahelp.com

New Australian partner visa forms now available

August 31st, 2009

The new Australian visa application forms are now required from all foreign nationals applying for a family-class fiancée, partner or marriage visa to come to Australia, with the old forms no longer accepted as of 1st July 2009. Applications submitted using the old forms will be rejected. It is important to be aware that, even though the new 40SP and 47SP forms look very similar, there are some differences, so it is imperative that the new form is used for all applications.

read more at marriagevisahelp.com

Fee increase across the Australian visa application spectrum

August 26th, 2009

Recent changes to the fee structure of both onshore and offshore Australian visa applications came into effect on Wednesday 1st July 2009, having initially been announced in late June, and apply to all foreign nationals looking to obtain a fiancée, partner or marriage visa for entry into Australia.

The fee changes will see the onshore subclass 820, subclass 801, subclass 829 and subclass 814 visa applications increase considerably, from its previous AUD$2105 to AUD$2525. For offshore fiancée, spouse, and partner visa applications, there are also increased fees, going up from AUD$1420 to AUD$1705.

read more at marriagevisahelp.com

New Australian partner visa forms now available

July 5th, 2009

The new Australian visa application forms are now required from all foreign nationals applying for a family-class fiancée, partner or marriage visa to come to Australia, with the old forms no longer accepted as of 1st July 2009. Applications submitted using the old forms will be rejected. read more

Fee Increases Across the UK Visa Application Spectru

June 25th, 2009

Recent changes to the fee structure of both onshore and offshore UK visa applications came into effect on Monday 6th April 2009, having initially been announced in February, and apply to all applicants looking to visit, work or stay in the UK, including fiancee, partner and marriage visa applications. These fee changes are in direct […]

US immigration: update on emotional hearing for proposed UAFA bill

June 25th, 2009

The Uniting American Families Act saw an important development on 3rd June, 2009, as the Senate Judiciary Committee began its hearing to end the current discriminatory immigration policy for same-sex bi-national couples. Currently, same-sex partnerships that have one non-American partner are unable to sponsor their loved one for US visa applications, unlike opposite-sex couples. With […]

Changes to Knowledge of Life Requirement for UK Settlement Applications

June 11th, 2009

The Knowledge of Life test for those visa applicants of all categories, including UK marriage visas and partner visa applications, has just got a little bit stricter. While the test itself is, in many ways, a continuous work of changes and amendments in response to the changing face of life in the UK, an announcement […]

Current UK fiancée and spouse visa approval times

June 11th, 2009

One of the most frequently asked questions our clients ask about the UK settlement visa application process is “How long does it typically take to obtain a visa?” We are pleased to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the current processing times. The table shown below represents cases that have been approved within […]

Changes to the UKBA procedures for those applying under European law

June 10th, 2009

On 1st June 2009, the UK Border Agency brought an important change into effect regarding the processing of a range of visa-related applications. The core change is that applications for registration certificates, residence cards, family member residence stamps and confirmation of permanent residence in the United Kingdome by European nationals and their families will now […]

Relocation of the DIAC processing centre to affect spouse visa applications

June 10th, 2009

The relocation of the previously-named Perth Offshore Parents Centre (POPC) on 25th May 2009 brought with it some important administrative changes which will affect the visa application process for spouse, parent and interdependency visas to the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Since 25th May 2009, the POPC has been renamed the Parent […]