5 Tips you need to know before applying for a partner visa

1. Prepare your supporting documents

It’s very important to collect and organize your supporting documents before you apply for a partner visa in Australia. This will help you determine if you meet all of the requirements for your visa.

The supporting documents you provided should evidence that your relationship is genuine.

The case officer will look at the evidence of your case, therefore if you and your partner are unable to provide proof of your shared finances, social photos, your living arrangements and your commitment to each other; it is more likely to get a refusal of a partner visa even if you are married or living together.

Statements from your family and friends are also important – they should be from people who have known you for at least two years and who can attest to the sincerity of your relationship.

2. False or misleading information should not be provided

You will be required to confirm the dates of important events within your relationship. This information is used again and again in your application, so it needs to be consistent.

You need to keep in mind:

1. When you first met and started dating.
2. When you moved in together
3. When became engaged/married etc.

In certain instances, the officer can both refuse your visa application and ban you from applying for another visa if conflicting or inaccurate information was provided.

3. Make sure you are eligible for the visa criteria

An applicant who submits an application and is either not eligible to participate or has not provided sufficient evidence of their relationship may lose the application fee they have paid. Refunds are not available if your partner visa is refused and not every applicant will have review rights.

Remember that being married or in a de facto relationship is not enough evidence for the home affairs department, you also need to prove that you are eligible for the partner visa by following all the requirements of it, this includes: Validity of the marriage, the time of the relationship, the location of the partner, likewise these requirements vary according to the type of visa to apply.

4. Choose the type of partner visa to apply for according to your case

There are different Australian Partner Visa options, which will depend on your individual circumstances.

You may be eligible for a Partner Visa if you are engaged or married to an Australian (or an eligible New Zealander) or you live in a de facto relationship. This includes same-sex couples.

You can apply for a Partner Visa from within Australia (Subclass 820/801), or from outside of Australia (Subclass 309/100). If you apply onshore from within Australia, you are eligible for a Bridging Visa A, allowing you to live and work in Australia whilst waiting for the outcome of the Partner Visa application.

5. Resolve requests from the home affairs department within the shortest timeframe

As part of the visa application process, the Department may write to you to request additional information. It will ensure your contact details with the Department are kept up to date.

Please respond within the specified timeframe – typically 28 days – if you receive such a request. Failure to respond can result in your application being refused.

Extra tip: Know when you require assistance.

In the long run, speaking with a Migration Agent can save you time and money, especially if there are health or character issues.

Since the lodgments fees for a Partner visa are nearly $8,000 – and immigration law is continuously changing, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from a specialist (Just like us ????).

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.