Australia is a land of dreams for many aspiring candidates. It offers warm weather with stunning landscapes. Australian cities are consistently ranked as the most liveable in the world. Quality education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure and dependable government services make Australia the land of countless opportunities.
If you have settled permanently in Australia, you may want to bring your partner and family to live with you. In this article, we will cover information about how to get your partner to Australia. As a permanent resident or a citizen of Australia or a New Zealand citizen, you can apply for a temporary partner visa subclass 820 if your partner is onshore or a Provisional Partner Visa (Subclass 309) if your partner is offshore.
The 820 and 309 visas are temporary visas and after a period of two years, the applicants will undergo a review to determine if they are eligible for the Permanent 810 or 100 visas, depending on the type of provisional visa they initially applied for.
You can also apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) if you intend to get married in Australia.
Applying for the Temporary Partner Visa Subclass 820
This visa allows the spouse or de facto partner to live in Australia temporarily. They should be a partner or spouse of a permanent citizen in Australia, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen to live in the country.
Being granted this visa is the first towards gaining eligibility to apply for the permanent partner visa subclass 801. You apply for both provisional subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 visas in the same application.
You should apply for this visa subclass when your partner is in Australia. There are a few important things to note regarding the eligibility conditions of this visa.
- This visa will allow an applicant to stay in Australia until you become a permanent visa holder, that is if you are granted one.
- This visa also allows the applicant to stay until you withdraw the application.
- The average processing time of the visa can take between 6 to 38 months. All applications are reviewed individually and on a case-by-case basis. Complex cases may take a longer duration until it is processed.
- The cost to apply for this visa can go up from $8,085 for most applicants. For Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders, the cost can go up from $1350.
With this visa, you can do the following:
- Live, work, and study in Australia until the permanent Partner visa is processed.
- Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you plan to.
- Enrol in free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if you are eligible.
- Apply for access to Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme.
Applying for the Permanent Partner Visa Subclass 801
The permanent partner visa subclass 801 allows your de facto partner or spouse to live in Australia permanently. The conditions are the same as mentioned above regarding you either being an Australian citizen, permanent Australian citizen, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
To be able to apply for this visa, the applicant must already hold a temporary partner visa (subclass 820).
- The average processing time to process a permanent visa is between 6 to 25 months. Ideally, the processing time begins from the date of eligibility, which is two years after applying for both the temporary and partner visa.
- The cost of the permanent visa is included in the payment you make while applying for the temporary visa.
Apart from the benefits valid through the temporary partner visa subclass 820, the applicant also gets:
- To study, work, and live indefinitely in Australia.
- To also sponsor eligible family members if they wish to come to Australia.
- To apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
Applying for the Partner Provisional Visa (Subclass 309)
This visa enables the significant other or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or eligible citizen of New Zealand to reside in Australia temporarily. Obtaining this visa is the initial step towards obtaining a Permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
Your spouse must be outside of Australia when lodging this visa application. You apply for both provisional subclass 309 and permanent subclass 100 visas in the same application.
With this visa, the applicant can:
- Live, work, and study in Australia until the permanent Partner visa is processed.
- Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you plan to.
- Enrol in free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if you are eligible.
- Apply for access to Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme.
Applying for the Partner (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 100)
To be able to apply for this visa, the applicant must already hold Partner Provisional Visa (subclass 309). With this visa, the applicant is able to not only do what is permitted under their subclass 309 visa, but also:
- reside, work and study in Australia without any time limit
- sponsor eligible family members to immigrate to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the requirements.
Applying for the Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300)
This visa allows you to travel to Australia in order to get married to your intended spouse and then apply for a Partner visa. To be eligible for this visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand
- plan to get married to your prospective spouse before the expiration of the visa period.
This visa allows the applicant to:
- stay in Australia for 9 – 15 months
- work and study in Australia.
Documents required when applying for a partner visa
Like other visa applications, you need to provide the following documents to prove your identity and marital status.
Document submission regarding your HOME in Australia
- A framework on how you divide up housework
- Bills payments for your home in both names
- Communications like emails or letters sent to both of you
Document submission regarding your FINANCES
- Joint lease or mortgage information and documents
- Cosigned loan agreements for automobiles, houses, or other major appliances
- Joint bank accounts statements
- Bill payment status for the home in both names
Document submission regarding SOCIAL EVENTS
- Card Invitation to a future wedding, reception, etc.
- Marriage certificate
- Pictures of celebrations, get-togethers, etc.
- Evidence of being part of collaborative athletic, cultural, or social activities.
- Evidence of travelling together.
You may be required to provide more documents when requested.
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