Vietnam vet gets bride for Xmas

[Migration Help]

FOR Vietnam War vet Geoff Fallis, 60, Christmas came early in the form of his beautiful 23-year-old Filipino wife.

When Jesu, affectionately known by her nickname Esie, arrived on the Sunshine Coast on December 19, it was the end of an emotionally taxing five-month battle with immigration officials to gain her a spouse visa.

“I say stick it right up them, the bastards. It pays to stand up for your rights,” Geoff said.

The couple was married in the Philippines on October 7, 2008.

They found out Jesu's visa application had been unsuccessful on July 13 last year after she was interviewed at the Australian Embassy in Manilla a month earlier.

But in early December, they learned the Immigration Review Tribunal, an independent body, had overturned the decision following a hearing in Brisbane in November.

To read the rest of the story go to Sunshine Coast Daily (http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/01/05/vietnam-vet-gets-his-bride-for-christmas/)

[Babybah]

Thank you for posting this, its really good to read when I am going through the same thing.... =)

[downundervisa]

The Manila Embassy is tough place to deal with. And it's often the local staff who are the toughest. It's well-suspected that there's a degree of jealousy there (known as "crab mentality".....picture a basketfull of crabs, where as one tries to get out, the others pull it back down again) at those who are "getting out".

There's also the issue of cross-cultural misunderstanding. An answer may mean one thing to the Filipino who delivered it, and something completely different to the person who interprets it with Australian ears. Sound preparation is needed before that so-important interview, and experience in BOTH cultures is necessary. And having staff members who can attend the interview with the applicant helps settle nerves and also prevents bullying.

[Migration Help]

Thanks Jeff for your input.

Yes, cross cultural misunderstandings and misinterpretations are a major factor in many spouse visa refusals.

It cannot be stressed enough to prospective applicants from deemed 'high-risk' countries like the Philippines, to engage a registered agent who is not only familiar with the law but has an in- depth understanding of the multicultural issues which could jeopardise an application. Locally engaged staff in many missions around the world have a 'crab' mentality and it takes a tough agent often to stand up to the sometimes objectionable tactics and bullying that can be overtly and covertly employed.