Are you looking to apply for a Partner Visa either for yourself or your partner? Sometimes knowing what documents to add as a part of your application can be tricky due to the intricate nature of this application. Therefore, here are a few recommendations regarding what you can add to your application and make a compelling case for your partner and yourself. 

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Discuss Extensively

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Before you start anything, the first thing you need to do is talk and discuss extensively with your partner. Remember that if you are trying to prove your relationship to the immigration officer then both partners need to be in sync with themselves first. Discuss each other’s immigration, criminal and medical history so that you are not caught off guard by the revelation of any information; which could potentially impact your application, and in some cases your relationship. 

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Develop a Timeline

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Just so that you can prove your relationship is indeed legitimate and your application is not delayed, start developing a timeline from early on. This will help you keep track of all the important events in your life and allow you to paint a consistent picture of your relationship. Be prepared to answer questions related to the time you first met, the story behind it, the timeframe of when your relationship transitioned and progressed into a more serious stage, the proposal story (if there’s any), etc.

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Keep a Documents Folder

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Make sure you have a record of all the documents, such as joint lease agreements, wills, joint bank accounts, shared household accounts, i.e.utility bills, etc. The best way to record the documents is to always make a copy of the original and to also have digitally scanned copies of the documents. 

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Have Clear Records

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You need to note that when you are trying to prove your relationship with papers to obtain the Partner Visa, only providing a marriage certificate is not sufficient. This further stresses the importance of having a clear record of other documents as well. 

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If you are applying for a Partner Visa for a 12-month de facto partner, then the above steps will be particularly crucial for you. Regardless of when your relationship commenced, you are only eligible to apply for this visa only after 12 months of having your shared documents. For example, if you have a joint lease with your partner, then you are eligible to apply for the Partner Visa 12 months after you have had the signed joint lease agreement.

Relationship History

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Remember that immigration officers no longer conduct interviews in person. Therefore, your relationship history statement allows you to provide more details about your relationship. This is your chance to talk about all the important and intimate details such as how you met, your feelings towards the other person and most importantly how you plan your future with the other person. 

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Personal Information

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Although it is recommended that you provide as many documents as possible to prove the legitimacy of your relationship, it’s not a mandatory requirement. If you rather not share personal details such as your photographs, or any other documents that may reveal any intimate details then do not share them. Being said that, even if you are okay with sharing, do know that you don’t have to share any personal and uncensored text messages, pictures or recordings. 

Clearances

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Generally, the processing time for a Partner Visa can be quite lengthy. Therefore, it’s advised that instead of you rushing for police clearance or getting the medical checkup done, you rather wait for a clear indication asking for that. That’s because the clearances only have a validity of 12 months, so it’s recommended that you get the clearances when the application has been processed that far and is requesting those documents.

Be Financially Prepared

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Finally, it is important to know that a Partner Visa application can be costly. It costs a minimum of AUD $7,715, and other costs may add up when certain documents and clearances are requested.

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Conclusion 

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While the Partner Visa application process may appear long and strenuous, a supportive partner and lots of communication will pave the way for a more smooth process. To understand more about the different kinds of Partner Visas, click here.

Disclaimer: Kindly note that the information provided here does not constitute legal advice. This must solely be regarded as content that provides general immigration information and is not a substitute for professional legal advice that occurs between an immigration lawyer and a client. 

Path Migration strongly recommends readers to contact certified immigration lawyers for a holistic overview of the Australia immigration system and a detailed analysis of each case. 

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