You must be thrilled to know that the love of your life is finally starting his or her partner visa process. If you want to see how you may help them, this article will identify the common mistakes to avoid during the partner visa process.
Since the partner visa process might become complicated due to your unique circumstances, mistakes are a possibility. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has laid out a long list of requirements for Partner visa subclass 820 and 821 (temporary partner visa and permanent partner visa, respectively).
However, there might be instances when your circumstances don’t match the requirements. This is when you need to seek legal advice from migration attorneys to help you avoid committing mistakes during the partner visa process.
READ: Requirements for Partner Visa
Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Partner Visa Process
To help you or your partner avoid mistakes during the partner visa process, you must be aware of what these mistakes are and what are its consequences.
Not Meeting Eligibility Requirements.
Eligibility requirements should be a top consideration. This means that if you lack any of the requirements to be qualified for this visa, there’s a huge chance that the DHA will just reject it. That’s why you and your partner must double-check if you meet all the requirements for the partner visa you’re applying for. On example of this is that your partner must be an eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident.
CHECKLIST: Partner Visa Australia Checklist
Insufficient Evidence of a Genuine Relationship.
Aside from being eligible, evidence of a genuine de facto relationship with your Australian partner is super important. Why? The DHA wants to make sure that both you and your partner are in a real and committed relationship.
If the DHA is not satisfied with the evidence you submit, there’s a possibility that they may reject your application. What you should do is gather strong evidence like shared finances, trips together, photos, and statutory declarations from friends and family.
READ: Partner Visa Evidence
Incomplete or Inaccurate Information.
For this part, due diligence is required. You must make sure that every bit of information on your application is accurate and up-to-date. Watch out for typographical errors or inconsistencies that may jeopardise your entire application.
So before you submit your application, re-check the correctness and completeness of every entry to avoid delay or visa rejection.
Rushing the Application.
Visa applications take a considerable amount of time and effort. You must allow an ample amount of time when complying with visa application requirements. Thus, you must not rush the partner visa process because you might overlook some important documents and requirements.
In applying for a partner visa, you must be thorough with everything, from gathering documentary requirements up to the submission phase.
Not Seeking Legal Advice.
Along the way, the partner visa process might get complicated or overwhelming due to some unique or unexpected circumstances. Thus, seeking legal advice from migration lawyers might just be the answer to your frustrations.
Migration attorneys are trained and knowledgeable professionals who are equipped to resolve visa application issues in Australia. Thus, a short consultation with partner visa specialists regarding your current situation may help lessen the stress of your partner visa journey.
Not Understanding the Costs Involved
Temporary and permanent partner visas are costly as ever. The current visa application fee for partner visa is AUD 8,850. Other costs include medical costs, police checks, application charges, documentation charges, embassy visits for statutory declarations, and other expenses.
That’s why before you apply for a partner visa, you must plan it out years before so that you can save enough for the application costs. If you understand the costs involved, you won’t be worrying on the spot as to how your expenses will balloon during the partner visa process.
READ: Australian Visa Cost Calculator
Life After the Partner Visa Process
After submitting all your requirements and paying all the fees for your partner visa, the waiting game begins. If the DHA approves your partner visa, here’s what you can expect:
- You can live, work, and study in Australia while DHA processes your permanent Partner Visa.
- You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish.
- You can attend free English language classes from the Adult Migration English Program (if eligible).
- You can apply for access to Medicare (public health care scheme).
- You can stay permanently in Australia and you and your partner can finally have your happily ever after.
- You can sponsor your family members to come to Australia after DHA grants you a permanent visa.
- You are now eligible to become an Australian citizen through an Australian citizenship after becoming a permanent resident.
- You can apply for a prospective marriage visa or spouse visa
Partner Visa Process FAQs
- What kind of partner visa can I apply for?
Aside from subclass 801 and 820 partner visas, you can also apply for any of the following, if you’re eligible:
- Partner visa (subclass 309)
- Partner visa (subclass 100)
- Partner visa (subclass 300)
- What can I do if my visa was rejected?
You can apply for a review with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The refusal decision that you will receive will contain the necessary details regarding this option.
- Can I prioritise my partner visa application?
Fortunately, yes. If you wish to be prioritised, you can request priority processing using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form. You must show that there are compelling and compassionate circumstances in your case.
However, this is not a 100% guarantee that they will prioritise your application because there might be other applicants that have the same circumstances as well.
MORE FAQS: Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Consulting a Migration Lawyer
Seeking legal assistance from migration attorneys is a must in instances when your partner visa process gets complicated and challenging due to unforeseen and unique circumstances.
Thus, JB Solicitors migration lawyers will gladly assist you in whatever concern you have in relation to Australia’s migration procedure. As experienced professionals, we will help you resolve any permanent or temporary visa and substantive visa process issues that you encounter along the way.
Schedule a consultation with us today to know more about partner visa applications.
