Committed to your partner and ready to live the rest of your life in Australia? If so, a Partner Visa for Australia could be a great option for you. Partner visas allow couples to start a new life together in Australia. And though there are many options, with some scrutiny, finding a good match for you and your loved one could be easier than you think.
What is a Partner Visa?
Partner Visas are permanent migration visas that allow partners of Australian citizens and residents to live in Australia permanently.
A Partner Visa is one of the fastest paths that someone in Australia on a visa can take to residence in Australia. Provided they have an ongoing relationship with their Australian sponsor, they may be granted a permanent residency visa and be eligible to apply for citizenship shortly after that. It is this fact the ease with which this visa can be granted to genuine applicants, that makes this visa so appealing.
Who is eligible for a Partner Visa?
For partner visa eligibility, your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to apply for a Partner Visa.
Furthermore, you and your partner meet one of the following criteria:
- In a De Facto Relationship – A Partner visa does not require that you be married. You and your partner can apply for a De Facto Partner Visa if you are in a de facto relationship.
You and your partner are in a de facto relationship if:
- You are not married to each other.
- You and your de facto partner have made a mutual commitment to each other to the exclusion of all others.
- Your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
- you live together or do not live permanently apart
- You are not related by blood.
You and your partner must have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months to apply for a De Facto Partner Visa, or you must meet the requirements for an exemption. Exemptions include compelling and compassionate circumstances, as well as registering your relationship with the state.
- Married – You and your partner must be legally married under Australian law. Same-sex marriages are now included.
Lastly, you must be in Australia when you apply for this visa and the family who applies with you must also be in Australia.
Different Types of Partner Visas
Australian immigration policy allows applicants to apply for various types of partner visas and spouse visas based on their needs and the criteria they must meet to obtain one. So, if anyone is interested in sponsoring a partner to Australia, the three types of partner visa options are as follows:
- Prospective Marriage Visa ( Subclass 300)
This visa allows you to come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse and then apply for a Partner visa. The subclass 300 prospective marriage visa is the best option for those who are engaged to an Australian citizen, a permanent Australian resident, or a person who is eligible to be a citizen of New Zealand. This visa is also known as a fiancé visa, and the other partner must be living outside of Australia at the time of application. Partner Visa Offshore (Subclasses 309 and 100)
- Partner visa 820 ( Temporary partner Visa)
- Partner visa 801 ( Permanent Partner Visa)
Subclass 820 and subclass 801, both of which are onshore partner visa programs, are the most popular de facto partner visa options.
- Subclass 309 and subclass 100 offshore partner visa
For those who are in a long-term de facto relationship with an Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen, and you find yourself living outside of Australia, these are the most viable options to consider.
Partner Visa in Australia Processing Time
Though there is no set time frame for how long it will take to process your partner visa application, on average, it takes anywhere between 6 to 24 months. In most cases, the department responds to the application only after the published deadlines on their websites have passed.
Can I include my children in a De Facto Visa?
If you have children under the age of 17, you can easily include them in your partner visa, though the Department will charge a fee per child. If your children are 18 or older, you may include them as long as you can indicate that they are financially dependent on you. We can assist you in proving this in your application.
Australia is a popular destination for international migrants. There are many reasons why more and more people choose to live in Australia. A stable economy, low unemployment rates, and high standard of living are only some of the top reasons to make Australia your new home.
Finalizing the visa application process is a complicated process and there could be a number of pitfalls that come with it. This can be extremely worrying for a lot of couples, so it is important to make sure you have experienced migration experts with extensive experience in this area that will make your journey a lot easier and be done smoothly.
If you have any questions or require further guidance please feel free to contact us by email at info@mirandamigration.com.au
