When waiting for a visa to be decided, many applicants who have applied for Partner Visa Australia want to know about the visa process, its cost, processing time and rights. Partner Visas are a type of visa in Australia that enables eligible Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible NZ citizens to live in Australia with their partner. Getting a Partner Visa is just one of the steps that can help many couples start a life together, but they need to be aware of the costs, processing times and requirements before they apply.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) carefully evaluates Partner Visa applications. It is important that applicants can present robust evidence to demonstrate that their relationship is genuine and ongoing, and that they have the health, character and identity criteria.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the various Australian Partner Visas, application costs, processing times, and some helpful tips to ensure you have a successful application.
What Is an Australian Partner Visa?
The Australian Partner Visa is a visa granted to eligible partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.
Depending on your situation you can apply:
- For people who are in Australia on a visa (Onshore Partner Visa)
- When you are not in Australia (Offshore Partner Visa)
For most applicants, they will initially be granted a temporary partner visa before applying for permanent residency, as long as they remain eligible for the visa.
Types of Australian Partner Visas
- Onshore Partner Visa
Existing applicants in Australia normally apply for:
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa (820)
- Subclass 801 – Permanent Partner Visa – a visa granted to a partner who is a permanent visa holder.
The permanent visa is typically evaluated after the applicant has been holding the temporary visa for the necessary duration and still qualifies to be granted the permanent visa.
- Offshore Partner Visa
Most overseas applicants apply for:
- This visa is for a Provisional Partner Visa (Subclass 309).
- Subclass 100 visa – Permanent Partner Visa.
It is the same process, and permanent residency is granted after further consideration.
Who Can Apply?
If you are:
- Married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen,
- Where there is a de facto relationship in reality, or a de facto relationship of the same kind for same sex couples (eligible same sex relationships)
Applicants are required to meet the following:
- Identity requirements
- Health requirements
- Character requirements
- Relationship requirements
How Much Does an Australian Partner Visa Cost?
The partner visa application to Australia is expensive. If you plan to Apply for partner visa Australia, it is important to understand that the Australian Partner Visa is one of the most significant visa investments for migrants.
All Australian Government applications have a fee, which is subject to change periodically.
Aside from the government application fee, the following are additional fees applicants must consider:
Health Examinations
Physical examinations by panel approved physicians.
Police Clearance Certificates
Essential from Australia and/or other countries as may be required.
Document Translation
Certified translations might be necessary if documents are not written in English.
Biometrics
Applicants in certain cases may be required to submit biometric data.
Professional Assistance
Some applicants will seek the advice of registered migration professionals to assist in making their application.
Visa application charges are subject to periodic changes and so applicants should always check the current visa application charges before submitting an application.
What Affects Partner Visa Costs?
Various factors can influence the cost of your Partner Visa application.
- Government visa charges
- Includes number of family members
- Translation expenses
- Medical examination fees
- Police certificates
- Additional documentation requirements
Ultimately, costs will vary from person to person depending on the individual situation.
How Long Does an Australian Partner Visa Take?
Processing times will differ and can be subject to change throughout the year depending on a number of factors.
The following are the common factors which affect processing:
- Completeness of the application
- Condition of the relationship (relationship details)
- Background checks
- Health examinations
- Character assessments
- Demand for partner visas.
- Requests for additional information
A complete application that is well organized is better suited to assessment than an incomplete application.
Factors That May Delay Processing
There are several reasons why processing may be delayed.
Incomplete Documentation
Delays are often due to missing evidence.
Examples include:
- Missing identity documents
- Missing relationship evidence
- Incomplete police certificates
- Missing health examination results
Requests for Additional Information
The department of Home Affairs may ask for:
- Additional relationship evidence
- Updated financial documents
- New police certificates
- Further identity verification
It is essential to respond quickly to prevent unnecessary delay.
Overseas Verification
Documents from other countries may need further verification for an application.
Complex Relationship Histories
If there has been a prior marriage, dependent children or extended separation, further evaluation will be necessary.
Evidence Required for a Partner Visa
One of the most significant aspects of the Application is the relationship evidence.
Common documents include:
Identity Documents
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Passport or national identity card (if applicable),
Relationship Evidence
- Marriage certificate
- Evidence of a de facto relationship.
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint lease agreements
- Utility bills
- Travel history together
- Photographs
- Communication records
- Statutory statements by family and friends
Financial Evidence
Documents indicating co-responsibility for financial costs such as:
- Joint bank accounts
- Shared loans
- Insurance policies
- Household expenses
Social Evidence
Examples include:
- Family photographs
- Invitations
- Travel bookings
- Social media records
- Statements from family and friends
Tips to Improve Processing Efficiency
The following are a few tips to improve processing efficiency:
Although no one can promise quick processing, you can minimize unnecessary delays by:
A complete application consists of the following:
- Ensuring good relationship evidence
- Keeping information consistent
- Health examinations completed in a timely fashion
- Being responsive to Department’s requests promptly
- Ensuring that documents are translated as necessary
Delay reduction requires a lot of preparation.
Can I Work During the Processing of my Partner Visa?
Bridging Visa holders who apply from within Australia may be eligible for work rights subject to the conditions of the Bridging Visa. It is key to understanding the works rights Australia partner visa may have as work conditions may vary from person to person and visa status.
There are a number of visa types and work rights vary accordingly. Applicants should ensure they are aware of the conditions of their visa or Bridging Visa prior to taking up a job.
Can I Include Children?
Yes.
Many Partner Visa applications are eligible to include a dependent child if they meet the relevant requirements.
There would be additional documentation that is most likely required.
How E2VS Australia Can Help
Partner visa applications are complex and must be well-prepared and backed by significant supporting documentation.
We provide couples with support at E2VS Australia regarding:
- Assessments of eligibility for Partner Visa
- Relationship evidence guidance
- Document preparation
- Application review
- Visa submission support
- The process of communicating throughout the application.
We have the expertise to guide applicants to craft well-organised and error-free applications without committing to common application pitfalls which can cause delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
- May be an engaged, but not married, person apply?
Possibly. The other Australia visa for marriage is called Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300), which is available for those who are eligible to marry an Australian.
- Are same sex couples eligible?
Yes. Eligible same-sex couples are treated the same as any other Australian Partner Visa provision.
- Any interviews?
All applicants are not interviewed. If necessary, the Department may ask for more information or interviews during the assessment process, however.
- Does a complete application get processed faster?
The chances of delays due to applicants submitting requests for more information are minimized when applications are complete with supporting evidence.
- Is it possible to make a migration without a migration consultant?
Yes. The applicants are allowed to apply for themselves. Many prefer professional assistance to ensure that documents are comprehensive and the application is properly prepared, however.
Final Thoughts
When applying for partner visa Australia, it is important to understand the cost of the visa application, the estimated processing time, and the rights to employment you will have once you are granted the visa, along with the evidence you must gather to prepare your application.
Visa fees, processing time and immigration requirements may vary and it is critical that you always check with the Australian Department of Home Affairs for the latest visa information before making an application. If you prefer tailored advice and support, E2VS Australia can help you with the entire Partner Visa application process, from start to finish.