Partner Visa Australia: Your Guide to Bringing Your Loved One Home
Being the partner who lives abroad and plans to get their special someone to Australia is often a life-changing decision. The visa process might never seem as sinister and scary as it appears to be. But if you know the steps involved, it can be smoother and less stressful. As a result, this guide is not an exhaustive book that covers everything there is to know about the partner visa process—but it has enough inside to help couples come together in Australia.
The Partner Visa Explained
The partner visa Australia enables a spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to reside in Australia. This involves a two-stage process: a basic temporary visa (subclass 820) and a permanent visa (subclass 801). Judging on application, candidates are granted a prosperity visa with the opportunity to transition to permanent residency upon satisfying eligibility ahead of time.
Eligibility Criteria
The Australian Permanent Resident or citizen (sponsor) and the applicant must satisfy certain qualifying criteria to be eligible for a partner visa. The first step is to be in a genuine relationship as a married or de facto couple. De facto relationships also require a minimum of 12 months’ evidence of cohabitation. Also, neither person can be closely related by blood and must be at least 18.
Evidence of Relationship
So, you should provide as much evidence as possible of your relationship, and this factor always comes into play during the visa application process. Partners will want to collect evidence of their shared lives, like bank statements showing a joint account, utility bills, or a rental agreement. Visual evidence, like photos from holidays or family gatherings and written statements from friends and family, can also buttress the application.
Application Process
To start the application process, an online application must be submitted to the immigration department’s website. Both the applicant and the sponsor must submit personal details and supporting documentation. After lodging, they may be granted a Bridging visa, which allows them to stay in Australia while their application is being decided.
Processing Time
The timeline for processing a partner visa is much different. It generally takes 12 to 24 months. The speed of processing depends, among other reasons, on the completeness of the application and your country of origin. Managing those expectations during this waiting period requires knowing the current processing times.
Costs Involved
Getting a partner visa is expensive. There are some hefty fees for applying for a visa, along with additional costs for health checks, police clearances, and document translation. Ensure your budget for couples takes this into account, and remember they may change over time, too.
Health and character requirements
However, visa applicants also need to meet health and character requirements to be eligible. One must go through a medical test, which includes ensuring that there are no serious medical problems. Police clearances from each country where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more over the past 10 years are also required.
Being Prepared for Possible Hurdles
Obstacles occur in the application process, such as prolonged waiting periods or requests for further information. In the event of any communication from authorities, applicants must always have a prompt response to ensure no unnecessary processing delay. A registered migration agent can provide you with the assistance you need.
Benefits of Partner Visa
Applying for a partner visa has many advantages, particularly the ability to live, work, and study in Australia. It likewise offers medical care through Medicare and the possibility of citizenship down the line. These benefits make the partner visa a great option for couples looking to build a life together in Australia.
Maintaining the Relationship
An authentic and enduring relationship is important for eventually being issued a permanent partner visa. During this period, partners must continue to prove their relationship. Constant communication with immigration is key to ensuring that none of the requirements are complied with and that the permanent visa goes through successfully.
Conclusion
Although the partner visa process may seem daunting at first, knowing the requirements and steps lightens the load. To be successful, couples need to obtain all relevant evidence, ensure they’re the perfect applicants for the visa, and know current processing times. This makes the dream of being together with a partner in Australia successful.