Miss C Wants to Pei Du

Hi singaporeanson,

Thank you for reading this email. I chanced upon your blog like many readers and I would like to thank you for providing a thought platform for many of us. I have been pondering for months about some questions and I really hope you can provide some insights for me. Not to worry, you can take your time to reply because I am not in a rush :)

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years now and we are more or less stable. We have been discussing about future and we both have intentions to migrate to Australia eventually. We understand and are fully aware of the pros and cons of living in Aust.

I am currently a 3rd year undergrad in nus studying real estate. On the other hand, he is a NSFmen and will finish army in Sept next year. He will be applying to study in University of Melbourne in 2014, which coincidentally falls in time with my graduation.

His mum would like me to go along with him, and is very supportive of us migrating in future. My parents do not object either. But the problem is,

How can I get a visa? I have heard that getting a work visa is tough and its only possible to get a study visa. But then again, I have finished my degree and certainly not looking at masters right now. I have looked at internships etc etc but its not possible to stay together with him. Another option is to study Graduate Certificate, the downside is that its only half a year. What should I do so that I can stay there for at least two years?

We hope that we can use this opportunity as a stepping stone to become PRs. We do not intend to come back.

Please advise so that I can make my preparations!

Regards,
Miss C




******

Hi Miss C,


Disclaimer first. I am not a qualified migration agent so use this information at your own risk.


As you specifically pointed out you guys are stable and are very much in love enough to discuss about the long term. My advice is this: Get married. Hey, I am not trying to be nosy and poke into your personal affairs. There is logic in my suggestion. 


1) So your boyfriend would not beo xmm in school. I'm lying of course. He will still do it. Having said that, a wedding ring on the finger does help repel things a bit.

2) It strengthen your resolves to make this work. Being together as one, you are more united, less likely to give up (both on the relationship and your migration) I'm sure there will be people who disagree, but you are asking for my view so here is it.

3) The side effects of this is that, it actually makes you legal to come along with your husband.


Stay in Singapore lah. We need young, driven people like you to stand up for Singapore, not go to Melbourne and never come back! If you are persistent, ok, how about being an illegal immigrant - Hide well, don't get caught. Good luck. I don't know you. This conversation did not take place. Just joking. We Singaporeans are abide rules, except when it comes to hair cutting.


Actually I don't know the answer. If you cannot guess by now.


But I thought you could go along the lines of this:




Student Visa Definitions

De facto partner
A person is the de facto partner of another person (whether of the same sex or a different sex) if:
  • they have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others
  • the relationship between them is genuine and continuing
  • they live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis and they are not related by family.

For an application for a Student visa the de facto relationship must have existed for at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of application. [source]


Bear in mind, proving the de facto relationship may be similar(ly hard) to the spouse visa requirements. Please read this. [Spouse Visa]. I hope I helped in some ways.


This hasn't been covered before. So I hereby summon the wise men and women from the skies to give this lady a helping hand. Please.


Thank you very much,


asingaporeanson

24 comments:

  1. "De facto partner" is known as "common-law partner" in Canada. It is not that difficult lah, just change your NRIC address to your boyfriend's and move your stuff there. Take photos of life together at that your boyfriend's address as proof. The difficult part is to make sure your status on any social media (e.g. Facebook) reflect that you're living together as a couple. Are you ready to face those questions from friends?

    Also, it is easy to prove your relationship if you have taken photos/videos together along the way. E.g. Like those wedding montage, "a boy...", "a girl...", "how they met..." etc, typical video shown in those Chinese wedding banquet in Singapore. Easy-peesy for the Singaporean couple lah.

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  2. ????it got tougher 1 year ago or so to get into oz.firstly u need to goto english language exams and get 7/10 for IELTS exams.most of the ang mo cant even get that type of standards themselves but they are exempted unless from eastern europe.then u need to go compete with the others from other countries on the points systems and most of them have 10 years experience and a degree in serious engineering and masters.

    they dont accept people as PR to come into oz as a student now.they stopped that practice long ago like in year 2005 or so.
    in fact they have stopped the immigration process unless you are a war refugee from syria .

    try looking at other easier countries as its now harder to get into oz unless u have a relative and all of it is complicated now and more difficult.you can try the internet "DIAC" website which is cluttered with confusing info and leads to me nowadays.and forums such as "singapore immigrated to australia liplai"

    not sure if u can go into oz now as the world economic slowdown is hitting everyone real hard.malaysia is nearby and cheap plus more exciting than oz.downside is the 3 mth visa and cant be a PR of lamalaysia for now.

    u can ask winking doll if canadian process is easier than oz as the info from oz immigrationn website seems to be cluttered and disorganised nowadys.


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    Replies
    1. Canada is revising it s immigration rules, especially for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It is rumoured that after revision, it will favour those younger (i.e. below 30), educated (i.e. tertiary education preferred), and with strong English/French-speaking (language score has to be high).
      http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadas-new-immigration-rules-put-premium-on-young-people/article4492594/

      Applications for the FSWP are closed now until possibly early-2013 at the earliest timeframe. Only those already in Canada now may apply for the Canadian Experience Scheme which is still open. For other ways to immigrate to Canada, check out the following url.
      http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

      Delete
    2. Just to clarify that when I wrote, "It is not that difficult lah." I am referring only to getting a "de facto partner" ("common law partner") permit based on your partner's "student visa". I am not talking about getting PR, which is a whole different ballgame because student visa is short-term only, whereas PR are long-term.

      Anonymous on 15 September 2012 04:56 is right that "the world economic slowdown is hitting everyone real hard", and almost* every developed country in the world is careful about who they let in on PR. [IMHO, almost every country, except for one strange little red dot just above the equator.] In any case, based on my observation, part of the problem in Canada is that many of the earlier immigrants have huge problem assimilating and/or did not overcome the barriers to entry into their previous profession (which is notoriously difficult in Canada*). Many foreign professionals in their own country end up as blue-collar workers in minimum wage jobs in Canada. Not that I want to pour cold water, but I think in planning for emigration, we have to also consider the "worst case scenario" as part of the SWOT analysis. If you need help on the "worst case scenario" you can ask asingaporeanson, the Master of Negativity.
      http://asingaporeanson.blogspot.ca/2012/01/powered-by-negativity.html

      *Note: The notorious difficulty faced by foreigners in finding a "suitable" job in Canada may not be because of racism. I have observed that even the ang mohs from Western Europe has as much difficulty as Asians in getting back into their previous careers too. In fact, based on a news report some time ago, even Canadians, who are born-and-educated in Canada but have ventured overseas for work instead, have difficulty getting jobs in their previous field and/or getting their overseas experience recognized.
      http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2012/07/canadian-experience-and-qualifications.html

      Hope the above helps to give you a realistic map of the challenges that you may face, so that you would be more prepared for them.

      Cheers, WD.

      Delete
  3. Around 10 years ago I applied for for my (future) wife to stay in Australia based on our defacto relationship. Went for an interview. They wanted to see evidence the relationship is 'real', eg: photos of you together, photos with each other's parents, ask how you met, what you have in common, what activities you do together, etc.

    One key is evidence - to convince a government office employee that you are living together in a relationship, e.g.: As well as changing your IC address your IC (and they may want to see *when* it was changed), it may help to get other official documents (e.g.: phone/utility bills, official government letters, etc) with yr different names having the same address. Other examples are things in both of your names: e.g. rental contract, joint bank accounts...

    They may be less strict with you, as you're applying for something that won't lead to a PR. In the long term, if you wanna migrate, one of you needs to qualify - and (in my opinion...) when your'e a little older, and lived together a while, you can marry then. BTW, if you really marry later and migrate based on that, they still go through the above process to see check not a 'sham' marriage.

    You also want to check if the Visa gives you permission to work, otherwise what you gonna do for 2 years? For our story, although the visa was ok, my partner had difficulty finding work later, so we got married.... before leaving for SG.

    BlackCat (An Australian in Singapore)

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  4. You can try doing a grad diploma in Melb so that you can still be with your bf?
    My ex-gf of almost 5 years left me when I went to Syd for my undegrad degree course after my NS while she studied in Melb at the same time.
    If not mistaken your bf can stay in Aus now for 18 months to look for jobs after completion of his uni education. Last time in fact many years ago I was not so lucky, "forced" to return to S'pore just before my student visa expired less than a month after my last final year exam paper.

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  5. hmmm think i was wrong for saying it got tougher to get into oz now as a student.in fact it seems to have gotten easier to get in as a PR after studying if u have some company to sponsor or employ you from current oz immigration website.all u have to worry is the english language exams and getting a job after graduating in oz.

    my apologies as during my time not long ago had a different set of immigration rules.

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  6. let me put in the immigration from current DIAC website to atone for my mistake in immigration law currently in use.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Skilled – Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885)
    Important: This visa will be closed to all new applications from 1 January 2013.





    Eligibility - Overseas Students Visa Holders
    This information is for overseas students only.

    Use the information and tables below to assess your eligibility. The following table lists basic eligibility requirements to apply for and be granted a visa. To be granted a visa you must also pass the points test.

    Basic eligibility requirements
    To apply for and be granted a General Skilled Migration visa there are a number of basic eligibility requirements that you need to meet.



    Basic eligibility requirements Description
    Age – Eligibility You are under 50 years of age
    English Language Ability – Eligibility You have at least a competent level of English language ability
    Nominated Skilled Occupation – Eligibility You must nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
    Recent Australian Study Requirement – Eligibility You meet the recent Australian study requirement in the last six months
    Skills Assessment – Eligibility You must provide a positive skills assessment completed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation
    Eligible Visa – Eligibility You and all secondary applicants must hold an eligible visa
    Location – Eligibility You meet the location requirement
    Health – Eligibility You meet the Health requirement
    Character – Eligibility You meet the Character requirements
    Australian Values Statement – Eligibility You meet the Australian Values Statement requirement

    Points test
    In addition to meeting the basic eligibility requirements you need to achieve a passmark score against the skilled migration points test. The points test pass mark for this visa is 65 points. If you score less than 65 points, your application will be refused.

    You may also be eligible to apply if you do not hold one of the above visas but have held an Overseas Student visa in the last six months and met the threshold requirements to apply for a General Skilled Migration visa.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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  7. Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)
    Important: This visa will be closed to all new applications from 1 January 2013.




    About this Visa How this Visa Works Eligibility Obligations Applying for this Visa

    About this Visa
    This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.

    This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with the skills and attributes needed in the Australian labour market.

    You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or obtain nomination from a participating state or territory government agency.

    Who is this visa for?
    This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

    an overseas student or former overseas student
    a holder of a Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) or Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 476)
    a holder of a Trade Skills Training visa (subclass 471).
    You must:

    be under 50 years of age
    have competent English language skills
    have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
    The SOL is a list of skilled occupations of high value to the Australian labour market.
    See: Skilled Occupation List

    This visa also requires that either:

    you or your partner have an eligible relative living in Australia who is willing and able to sponsor you



    or


    you have a nomination from a participating state or territory government agency.
    Note: All state and territory governments in Australia are participating in this visa scheme.
    How much does this visa cost?
    You must pay the relevant visa application charge when you lodge your visa application.
    See: Professionals and other Skilled Migrants

    What does this visa let me do?
    This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

    Australian permanent residents can:

    live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
    study in Australia at school, Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector or university
    receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
    access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
    be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
    sponsor people for permanent residence.

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  8. Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)
    Important: This visa will be closed to all new applications from 1 January 2013.

    As a holder of this provisional visa, you and any dependants who were not included in your original application may be eligible to apply online for a subclass 489 visa on SkillSelect.



    About this Visa How this Visa Works Eligibility Obligations Applying for this Visa

    About this Visa
    On this page

    Who is this visa for?
    How much does this visa cost?
    What does this visa let me do?


    This visa is a three year provisional visa for overseas students and certain visa holders who are unable to meet the criteria for a permanent skilled visa. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two years, and worked at least 12 months, in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.
    See: Specified regional areas

    This visa requires you to be either:

    nominated by a participating state or territory government agency
    or
    sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.
    This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with the skills and attributes in the Australian labour market.

    Who is this visa for?
    This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

    1)an overseas student or former overseas student
    a holder of a Skilled – Graduate visa (subclass 485) or a Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
    2)a holder of a Trade Skills Training visa (subclass 471)
    3)a holder of a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
    4)a holder of an Occupational Trainee visa (subclass 442).
    This visa is also for existing holders of a provisional skilled visa who have abided by the conditions on their visa and who need further time to meet the residence and/or employment criteria to apply for a permanent visa.
    See: Existing provisional visa holders

    You must:

    be under 50 years of age
    have competent English language skills
    have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
    The SOL is a list of skilled occupations of high value to the Australian labour market.
    See: Skilled Occupation List


    What does this visa let me do?
    This visa:

    allows you to remain in Australia for up to three years and requires you to live and work in a Specified Regional Area in Australia
    allows accompanying secondary applicants to work and study, but only in a Specified Regional Area of Australia
    provides a pathway to permanent residence.

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  9. Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485)


    About this Visa
    This visa allows overseas students who do not meet the criteria for a permanent General Skilled Migration visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English language skills.

    As a holder of this visa, you may apply for permanent residence at any time if you are able to meet the passmark on the General Skilled Migration points test.

    Who is this visa for?
    This visa is for you if you are an overseas student who:

    is under 50 years of age
    in the last six months has completed an eligible qualification(s) as a result of at least two years study in Australia
    has the skills, attributes and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
    The SOL is a list of skilled occupations of high value to the Australian labour market.
    See: Skilled Occupation List



    What does this visa let me do?
    This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to remain in Australia for up to 18 months from the date of visa grant with no restrictions on work or study. During this period you may choose to:

    travel
    work
    study to improve your English skills
    complete a professional year.

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  10. the other one which i had left out is meant for none students working in regional rural areras of oz.

    i hope the above would be useful as a guide.

    ReplyDelete
  11. June 2011

    Points test
    ----------

    Points


    age group:

    18–24=25points
    25–32=30points
    33–39=25points
    40–44=15points
    45–49=0points
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Competent English - IELTS 6*=0points
    Proficient English - IELTS 7*=10points
    English language * or equivalent standard in a specified test)
    Superior English - IELTS 8*=20points
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Australian or overseas skilled employment in nominated occupation or a closely related occupation undertaken in the past 10 years
    Note: Maximum points that can be awarded for any combination of Australian or overseas skilled employment is 20 points
    One year in Australia=5points
    Three years in Australia=10points
    Five years in Australia=15points
    Eight years in Australia=20points
    Three years overseas=5points
    Five years overseas=10points
    Eight years overseas=15points



    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Australian Diploma or trade qualification or other qualification recognised by a relevant Assessing Authority=10points

    At least a Bachelor degree=15points

    Qualifications (Australian or recognised overseas)
    Doctorate=20points

    Australian study requirement
    Minimum two years full-time (Australian study requirement)=5points

    Study in a regional area
    Must meet the Australian Study Requirement while studying in a regional area=5points

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Professional Year
    Completion of a recognised Professional Year=5points

    Credentialed Community language
    NAATI accreditation=5points

    Partner skills=5points

    Primary applicants partner meets threshold requirements for skilled migration visa

    Nomination by state/territory government (subclass 176 or 886 visa)
    Nomination by a state or territory government under a state migration plan=5points

    Designated area sponsorship or nominated by state/territory government (subclass 475 or 487 visa)
    Sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated area or nomination by a state or territory government under a state migration plan=10points

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  12. hope the above helps

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  13. Are u open to other countries? Try New Zealand? My cousin is there now, he loves it. Your boyfriend can try Uni of Auckland? And you can try taking working holiday or silver fern? You can go as defacto partner as well!

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  14. Let me give you my personal experience. I applied student visa with my girlfriend as de facto partner in Perth this year and got it in about two weeks. I gave very solid information and paper documents that's why the quick approval (I guess that is considered quick?)

    These are all the documents I provided:

    KEY POINT:
    THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE DATE SHOWN ON DOCUMENT MUST BE MORE THAN ONE YEAR AGO FROM DATE OF APPLICATION:

    **De facto partner means that both of you have lived together for more than one year.

    a) Copy of joint bank account, bank book showing both names and date

    b) Old electricity bill and internet bill showing one of our name with same address and date of more than 1 year ago

    c) Insurance letter showing my name and same address, and date of more than 1 year ago

    d) Passport page showing both of you travel together to same place and date of more than 1 year ago

    e) Holiday photos of you and your partner holding hands, hugging etc. and THIRD PARTY which means your other family members, parents is the best.

    f) 2 signed statements saying how you two meet each other (date, place, event), why do you like him/her and how much you love him/her, your future plan (when to get married), your goal in Australia, etc.

    g) Some financial proof to show that you have sufficient money to cover your partner's living expenses. For my case, I gave copy of certificate of deposit.

    I highlighted all the names, addresses, dates, and indicate the relationships in all photos.

    Hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey you've been really a great help!!! I feel so happy with all the doubts cleared up :)

      Thanks for the information! No problem with the documents much, but I have a few little questions.

      1) All these documents have to be included with his student visa application right? Any interview needed when you and your girlf reached perth?

      2) Is it true that your girlf is able to work up to 20 hours per week?

      Thankssssssssssssssss so much!

      Delete
    2. Yes, those docs are attachment to student application form, with letter of acceptance. You can think of additional docs as proof.

      There was no interview and I applied onshore, meaning both of us were in Australia to submit the application.

      Yes, 20 hours as stated in visa.

      Good luck!

      Delete
  15. One additional point, get holidays photos from different date, showing both of you having different hairstyle, body size and age, etc.

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  16. Happy Anniversary :)

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  17. Wow! Happy Anniversary!
    I was looking forward to your new post.

    SPace!

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  18. Hello everyone, this is miss C. Firstly, a really BIG THANKYOU TO ALL OF YOU HERE!

    Thanks singaporeanson for your posting and suggestion of de facto partner. I have read up more on it through various sources and it really seems the best choice to take. Thanks to Winking Doll, Black Cat and Anonymous(s) for all your help. I'm more clearer now and is confident I'll get that visa. Right now I'm gonna start collecting and gathering all those documents that can prove the de facto relationship.

    & btw happy 1st anniversary in Perth! Best wishes to you and your family :)

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  19. Thank you everyone for helping Miss C out

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  20. Hi Miss C,

    I am actually in the exact situation as you are facing now. I am planning to do my masters and my girlfriend of 6 years will accompany me as a "pei du".

    If you need any help with application and all, visit IDP. They are licensed agents appointed by the universities in Australia. They gave me lots of good advice and they will help you in the application of the student visa and your "pei du" visa as well.. Their services are free of charge. you can just walk in to their office for more info. Was really helpful for my case. Their website is http://www.singapore.idp.com. They even have the respective university's rep going down for consultation from time to time.

    Most of the other already provided the complete information. Just need to remember that hard evidence like photos, joint accounts, bills with same address will help you alot more than what u tell them in words.

    Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete