Australia's Partner Visa Everything You Need to Know

If you have a partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you want to join them in Australia to live together permanently, then you may be eligible for Australia's Partner Visa. This visa allows you to enter and stay in Australia, work and study, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Australia's Partner Visa.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for Australia's Partner Visa include the following:

You must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your partner, and that relationship must meet certain criteria, such as living together or being married.

Your partner must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

You must meet health and character requirements, meaning you are healthy and do not have a criminal record.

You must be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your partner during your stay in Australia.

Application Process

The application process for Australia's Partner Visa can be lengthy and complex, but it generally involves the following steps:

Step One – Submit the initial application: You must submit an online application and pay the application fee.

Step Two – Provide supporting documents: You must provide various supporting documents, such as evidence of your relationship, financial documents, and health and character certificates.

Step Three – Attend an interview: You may be asked to attend an interview with a case officer to verify your relationship and your eligibility for the visa.

Step Four – Decision: After carefully reviewing your application and supporting documents, the Department of Home Affairs will make a decision on your visa application.

Visa Types

There are two types of Australia's Partner Visa:

Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801): This visa is for those who are already in Australia on a temporary visa, such as a tourist visa, and want to apply for permanent residency.

Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100): This visa is for those who are outside Australia and want to apply for permanent residency to come and live with their Australian partner in Australia.

Processing Times

The processing times for Australia's Partner Visa can vary, but on average, it takes around 12 to 18 months to process. However, this can be longer if your application is incomplete or if you are required to provide additional information or documentation.

Permanent Residency

If your Partner Visa application is successful, you will be granted a temporary visa first, which is valid for two years. After two years, you will need to apply for a permanent visa, which is also known as the Subclass 801 or 100 visa. Once you are granted permanent residency, you can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely and even apply for Australian citizenship after a certain period of time.

Conclusion

Getting an Australia's Partner Visa can be a complex process, but it is worth it if you want to live with your partner in Australia. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, provide all the necessary documents, and be patient with the processing times. If you have any questions or need help with your application, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a registered migration agent.