Australia is becoming a popular destination for youngsters to live a quality life in Australia, and the number of applicants for permanent residence is also growing. If your partner is a permanent resident of Australia, getting a visa can be more accessible via a partner visa. You need to fulfill some eligibility criteria to be able to apply for a Partner Visa. Your age should be more than 18 years, and you need to have the evidence to prove your relationship is genuine, like having joint bank accounts; there should be no criminal records lodged against you, you should be healthy and fit, and you must hold some skills and educational qualifications. If you fulfill these criteria, then it will be an easy task to get your partner’s visa. Here, we will learn crucial aspects of lodging an Australian partner visa.
Lodging an Australian Partner Visa can be a complex process, and it’s essential to be well-prepared to increase your chances of success. This article talks about crucial tips to consider for lodging a successful Australian partner visa:
Visa Category Eligibility Criteria
If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia, you must remember in which category you fall for successfully lodging a visa. There are many types of partner visas, and they are:
- Subclass 820 & Subclass 801 Visas: These are onshore visas. These visas allow a partner of a PR of Australia to live in Australia. The Subclass 820 key permits a partner to live for two years, and then you can apply for a permanent visa through Subclass 801.
- Subclass 309 & Subclass 100 Visa: 309 is a temporary visa that allows a partner to live for two years, whereas 100 is a permanent visa that can be applied after getting a temporary one.
- Subclass 300: It will enable a partner to live for only nine months; this visa is granted to the fiance of a permanent resident or those planning to marry an Australian citizen.
Reasons For Australian Partner Visa Rejection
Thousands of applicants apply for partner visas yearly, and even though their relationship is genuine, sometimes their visa gets rejected. With the hope of living a future with their partners, they apply for an Australian partner’s visa, but after rejection, the reason still needs to be identified. There are several reasons why the partner visa might get rejected, and they are as follows:
- Providing insufficient evidence of the relationship
- Providing invalid or incorrect information
- They need to clear the character test.
- Applying with an incorrect format
- They need to provide children’s details correctly.
It is essential to submit correct and accurate information to the Department of Home Affairs so the visa process can be smooth and hassle-free. Keep your focus on your work. The process should be completed at one time, and you don’t need to apply for it again and again.
Application and Documentation Preparation
When applying for a partner visa, you must provide various information, including identity documents, passport photographs, health and character assessments, information about your sponsor, and details about your relationship. These documents will help to identify whether your application is genuine or not.
- Partner Visa (Subclass 820 & 801): You can include dependent children, stepchildren, or adopted children in your visa application. Dependent family members included in the application will benefit from the same rights and visa conditions as the principal applicant.
- Subclass 309 Provisional & Subclass 100 Migrant: In your application, you can include children or stepchildren and have the flexibility to mention other family members. You can include them when you initially submit your visa application or add a dependent child after the application is lodged.
- Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300): You can include dependent children or stepchildren in your application. Family members will have the same rights and visa conditions as the primary applicant once granted the visa.
Meeting the Criteria
The applicant and sponsor must be at least 18 years old to apply for a partner visa, which is the minimum age eligibility for applying for a Partner visa in Australia, and a minimum of 2 years of sponsorship is required. The key details are mentioned below regarding the criteria for applying for a partner visa in Australia:
- Subclass 820 Partner Visa (Temporary): This visa allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily. It is the first step towards obtaining a permanent partner visa (subclass 801), and you must be in Australia when you apply.
- Subclass 801 Partner Visa (Permanent): This permanent visa is for the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, allowing them to live in Australia permanently. It is intended for those with a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).
- Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa: Requirements for visa applicants include being 18 years or older, residing outside of Australia when applying and when the visa is granted, meeting relationship, health, and character criteria, and being sponsored by a fiance or fiancee. Sponsors must be the fiance of the visa applicant and must not hold certain visas. Additionally, arrangements to repay outstanding debts to the Australian Government must be in place.
Communication with the Department
Depending on your application, the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) may request additional documentation or evidence. These requests can be viewed on your immi.gov account, and you will also receive email notifications from the case officer. It is crucial to respond to these requests within 28 days. Sometimes, the department may request an interview with partner visa applicants to verify the information provided. You need to be genuine and give the correct information. So, things you need to keep in mind before submitting your applications are as follows:
- Providing Accurate Information: It is essential to be precise and honest in your application, including details about when you met, when your partnership officially began when you started living together, and when you began sharing finances. Proofreading the entire form to eliminate errors is highly recommended. Providing misleading information can result in visa denial and bar you from reapplying. So, carefully review your application and submit it for a smooth partner visa process.
- Verify Facts Before Submission: It’s vital to double-check all facts and documents for accuracy before submitting them, as the immigration department will carefully scrutinize all details. Even a single piece of misinformation can lead to rejecting your visa; hence, verifying every selection of information before submission is a must.
Visa Processing Times
Getting a partner visa may take some time. This varies from 18 months to 28 months. This is a time-consuming process, so you must be patient and wait until your visa gets approved by the authorities. According to your subclass, the time can vary, so you need to understand how long it will take for your visa approval. Here are the estimated processing times for various partner visas in Australia:
Partner (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 100)
- 75% of applications: 18 months
- 90% of applications: 22 months
Partner Visa
- 75% of applications: 18 months
- 90% of applications: 24 months
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
- 75% of applications: 18 months
- 90% of applications: 28 months
Why is Guidance from a Professional or a Registered Migration Agent Essential?
It is crucial to consult a registered migration agent to avoid visa rejection due to incorrect documentation or errors. Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) review your application for accuracy and provide personalized guidance, considering the unique circumstances of each case and relationship. They can explain which partner visa can apply to you and recommend the best option. They can also represent you in case of appeal or reapplication. It is vital to hire a professional for detailed guidance. They will make your task easy and fast, and you can have your partner visa soon.
The Bottom Line
In this rush to get a partner visa, you should be on top and adequately understand while applying. Understanding the criteria and procedures for partner visas in Australia is essential. One mistake can lead to rejecting your key, so being careful while using it is very important, and guidance from a professional is always preferred. If you require assistance with a partner visa application, don’t hesitate to consult our experienced team of immigration consultants or contact Ausyes Migration for specialized partner visa services. We are here to provide the best way to get your partner’s visa. So what are you waiting for? Contact us now to resolve your visa query.
Also Read: Australian Partner Visa: Comprehensive Guide (2023)
