Leaving Australia / Applying for an Exemption

[Gray & Hockey 1]

Hi All! 

 

My spouse's interview with the US Consulate in Sydney is in a week (yay!) and we'd like for him to be able to head here as quickly as reasonably possible, presuming everything goes well and he's granted PR status.

 

I'm wondering if there's anyone here who's applied for an exemption to leave Australia and, if so, what you included as evidence. I have a short list of things in mind, but I've also heard ABF can be a bit finicky about approving these. He will be leaving Australia permanently and not returning for the next few years while we build our lives together. We're not sure if he should buy a ticket to show he intends to leave, or get the exemption first? Any advice would be helpful! 

 

Thanks! 

 

Ayana 

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*country-specific question moved to Australia and New Zealand regional forum*~*~*

[Australian 0]

I applied and was granted an exemption to leave Australia in the middle of last year, and travelled from Melbourne to LA via Auckland in October.

 

I provided my US visa (B1/B2) and a letter explaining my travel to visit my fiancé and meet her family, noting a trip duration of approximately six months.

 

I received an approval within a day or so, with the exemption approval granted on the basis of “overseas travel exceeding three months in duration”.

 

Edit to add:

At the time I did not have a flight booked, nor did the exemption have any specific date or timeframe of travel that I had to stick to. It pretty much said “just go to the airport whenever you want”

Edited April 6, 2021 by Australian

[midsummer 84]

I uploaded a copy of my visa, the confirmation letter from the removal company I used to ship my belongings and a quote from the company I'm using to transport my cats. I also provided a detailed stat dec incorporating the required wording as stated on the website. I didn't have any flights booked at the time so I put in the dates, flight numbers etc I was looking at. The approval came in quickly so I went ahead and booked my flights etc. the same day I received it.