Partner Visa for Australia

What are the documents you need to consider when applying for a partner visa?  How do I demonstrate to the Department that my relationship is genuine and continuing? What are some of the factors to consider before I lodge the partner visa?

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1. Documentation process: It is critical for the partner visa to ensure you organise the documentation prior to lodgement and also when the visa is processing. The document you can consider prior to lodgement include a copy of your lease confirming you and your partner are residing together, events that you attend together (eg weddings), holidays you may take (eg flight tickets and accommodation) and photos. After the visa is lodged, it is important to continue to maintain the above documents so that you can update the partner visa. The average time for a partner visa is 3 months to 8 months.
2. Detailed Partner Statement: A detailed partner statement is critical for the application. We recommend you outline the following key points- outline how your relationship started, the nature of the household, the financial aspects of your relationship, the social aspects of your relationship and your future intentions.  We would recommend the partner statement to be at least 3 pages, this will give the case officer a good understanding of your relationship.
3. Photos as a form of evidence: Photos are a great way to demonstrate your relationship. We recommend our clients provide at least 20 to 30 photos. We recommend photos together and photos with friends and family. You should explain where the photo was taken, who is in the photo and the date of the photo. Photos show evidence of the social aspects of the relationship, they demonstrate that others know of your relationship and that you have travelled together.
4. Form 888 and support letters: Evidence from friends and family also is important evidence to a relationship. Form 888 is a statutory declaration and the department consider this evidence highly. Ideally, an application should include statements from friends and family. We recommend providing at least 4 form 888 to an application.
5. When to lodge the partner visa? It is important to lodge the partner visa once all the evidence is ready. The reason many partner visa fail is applicants lodge the application with not enough evidence.
6. Police checks. Police checks are an important aspect of the application. Both the sponsor and visa applicant must provide police checks for countries they have resided in more than 12 months. In some countries the police checks is issued very quickly, for example in Australia it takes only 5 days to process. In countries like India and USA the police check can take 7 weeks. This is an important consideration when applying for the partner visa.
7. Generally, the processing time for an Australian partner visa can be quite lengthy in certain circumstances. So it is important to consider this when you are lodging offshore or in Australia. If you lodge in Australia, you will be granted a bridging visa which will allow you to remain in Australia while the visa is processing. If you lodge offshore, then you should consider the processing time before you book any flights to Australia.

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While you are applying for the Australian Partner  Visa,  keep in mind that Australian immigration laws are changing and the evidence required may also vary from case to case. Therefore, to ensure the best chance of approval seek legal advice from an immigration lawyer so you understand the risks and issues when lodging your partner visa.

At Path Migration we have a team of immigration lawyers who are experts in the field of Immigration law. Therefore, if you would like to seek legal advice or consultation on what is best for your partner and yourself, then do not hesitate to contact us.