Hi there!

Thanks in advance for any help we can get!

I'm a Brit and met my partner Jo (from NZ) in the UK nearly 4 years ago. Her 2 year UK working holiday visa expired in 2004, so she went back to NZ, and we were long distance for the next year. I then moved out to live with her in NZ and after 2 years in NZ we wish to return to the UK and are looking for advice!

We wish to be together permanently and wish to marry, however in our own time. Therefore it looks like the De Facto is the best bet?

Our concerns are as follows:

We wish to go over soonish, as we have a family engagement in the UK early next year. How long does it normally take to process a de facto visa? Is it possible to apply for a De facto visa in person (at the embassy) and cut down on the application time?
We lived with Jo's parents for most of our time in NZ, so we don't have joint tenancy agreement for this period. However we do have bank statements (individual accounts), phone bills etc sent to this address. Is this enough?
Should we apply for a visa from NZ British embassy or fly to UK on a tourist visa and apply from there?
We are both working in NZ however don't have jobs lined up in UK. Is this likely to be a problem?

Many many thanks for any advice!
Jo and Rick

 

Thanks Triple H.

As far as the evidence goes - Should we send them all original documents (Inland Revenue stuff etc) or photocopies? We have 4 years worth of photos (lots)! Should we put together a CD collection of all our photos (could make them a nice flashy powerpoint presentation ) or send printed copies?

Re: birthday cards - we have them, although I wouldn't really want my own mother reading them let alone someone elses! They were written thinking that we'd be the only people reading them . Would you still send them?

As for the Fiancé visa - we thought about it, but only gives us 6 months to marry. We don't want to rush this and want to marry back in NZ anyways - so not much point there.

Any idea of the expected length of time for a De Facto Visa? Know of any success stories with this one?

Cheers,
Rick n jo

 

Thanks Triple H, will keep you posted.

Dawid -

Do you mean send a photocopy of all documentation (bills etc) as well as the originals? Does this apply for photos too?

Cheers