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About The Australian Partner Visa Program
You’ve met the love of your life and both of you have decided to make a permanent home out of Australia. What’s next?
The good news is that the Partner Visa Program allows an Australian (citizen or permanent resident) to sponsor their overseas partner (married or de-facto relationship) to permanently reside in Australia.
Getting your visa sorted will be the last thing on your mind, ironically it’s probably the most important element of your relationship. While a Partner visa application is considered a pretty straightforward process, it does require a substantial volume of documentation to prove that your love is indeed genuine and continuing.
The De-Facto Partner Visa Process Duration
At minimum, it will take 2 years before the de facto partner becomes a permanent resident. This is because to become eligible for the permanent partner visa (Subclass 801) the partner must have submitted the temporary partner visa (subclass 820) at least 2 years prior.
Partner visas are a two-step (grant) process:
- Subclass 820: Partner Visa (Provisional Visa) – Processing Time: 6 – 34 Months
This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen live in Australia temporarily. This leads directly into Subclass 801: Partner Visa (Permanent). - Subclass 801: Partner Visa (Permanent) – Processing Time 2.5 – 16 Months
This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen to stay in Australia permanently.
Which Australian Partner Visa Are You Eligible For?
Depending on your location at the time of application, you may be eligible for either the:
- Partner Visa Subclass 820 (Provisional Visa) and 801 (permanent), if the applicant is applying from Australia; or the
- Partner Visa Subclass 309 (temporary) and 100 (permanent), if the applicant is applying from overseas.
Once two years have passed (from the time of application) and assuming that the love with your Australian partner is still as strong as ever, you will be eligible to submit further documentation to request for your permanent visa to be assessed.
The Visa Application Process
Just like your relationship, the visa application requires input from both yourself and your partner.
Visa Application
This application focuses on you, and your relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Sponsorship Application
This application focuses on your partner, and his/her eligibility to sponsor a non-citizen to live in Australia.
Proof of Love
Although it can be rather difficult to evidence your love through documentation, here are some of the examples provided by the Department of Home Affairs:
Checklist for Australian Partner Visa
Finance
- joint ownerships of assets and/or bank accounts
- loan documents entered in both names
- shared financial obligations
Social matters
- proof of joint friends
- invitations to social events made out to the both of you
- attendance together as a couple to social events
Household
- documents proving your living arrangements
- lease agreements and letters to show cohabitation
- explanation of how household duties are shared between you and your partner.
Commitment
- proof that the both of you are in a long-term and committed relationship
- evidence of how you stay in touch if you’re apart
- evidence of combined personal matters such as wills
Including Dependent Applicants From A Previous Relationship
An Australian Partner Visa allows for the inclusion of any dependent children from a previous relationship.
Generally speaking, you will need to prove that full custodial rights over the child have been granted to you, with the consent from your previous partner allowing for the child to be relocated to Australia. However, when things are not that straightforward, it is best to speak to our visa team as soon as possible.
The Prospective Marriage Option
Also known as the fiance/fiancee visa, the Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) visa allows a visa holder to enter and remain in Australia for up to 9 months in order to marry their Australian Partner.
The visa application process is similar to the Partner visas program, it requires an approved sponsorship from your Australian partner and demands for significant documentation needed to prove the genuineness of the relationship.
Getting Started With VEVS
When you come onboard with us, we will guide you through the comprehensive list of documents we need from you.
We’ll also be there to provide advice and liaise on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs.
While the entire visa application process can be long and drawn-out, rest assured that we will be with you all along the way. You can count on us.
