In Australia, a spouse visa, officially known as the Partner visa, enables the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to reside in the country. The Partner visa program is administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
The application process for the Partner visa involves two main stages:
- Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820/309): Initially, this visa is granted on a temporary basis, allowing the applicant to live in Australia with their partner. To be eligible, the applicant must be married to or in a genuine de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801/100): After a specified waiting period, typically two years from the initial application, the applicant becomes eligible for the permanent partner visa. This visa grants permanent residency in Australia.
What are the eligibility criteria for Australia Spouse Visa?
To be eligible for an Australia Spouse visa, certain criteria must be met. These include:
Relationship Requirement
- Being married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, or being in a genuine and committed de facto relationship.
- Providing evidence to demonstrate the genuineness and ongoing nature of the relationship, such as joint financial accounts, shared responsibilities, and photographs together.
Sponsorship Requirement
- The partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen must be willing to sponsor the applicant.
- The sponsoring partner must be at least 18 years old, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and not have sponsored more than two previous partners for migration to Australia.
Age Requirement
- There is no age limit for the Spouse visa, but special considerations may apply if the applicant is under 18 years old.
Health and Character Requirement
- Meeting health and character requirements, which usually involve medical examinations and obtaining police clearances from all countries the applicant has lived in for a certain period.
Genuine Intention
- Having a genuine intention to live together as spouses or de facto partners in Australia.
Documents Required for Australia Spouse Visa
The documents required for an Australia Spouse visa application can vary based on individual circumstances. However, here is a general list of documents typically needed:
Identity and Relationship Documents:
- Passports or travel documents for both the applicant and their partner.
- Marriage certificate (if married) or evidence of a de facto relationship, such as joint financial statements, lease agreements, utility bills, etc.
- Proof of any name changes, if applicable.
Evidence of Genuine and Ongoing Relationship:
- Photographs of the couple together or with family and friends.
- Bank account statements showing joint financial commitments.
- Evidence of shared assets or liabilities, like property deeds or mortgage agreements.
- Correspondence addressed to both the applicant and their partner at the same address.
- Statutory declarations from friends and family members support the genuineness of the relationship.
Sponsorship Documents
- Completed sponsorship form by the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen partner.
- Evidence of the sponsor’s Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or New Zealand citizenship.
- Identity documents of the sponsor, such as a passport or Australian citizenship certificate.
- Police clearance certificates for the sponsor, if applicable.
Health and Character Documents:
- Medical examination results are conducted by an approved panel physician.
- Police clearance certificates from all countries the applicant has lived in for a certain period, typically covering the past ten years.
Additional Supporting Documents:
- Proof of shared household responsibilities, such as utility bills, rental agreements, or mortgage statements.
- Evidence of social activities together, like event invitations or travel itineraries.
- Any other documents that can demonstrate the genuineness and ongoing nature of the relationship.
Note: Please note that this is a general list, and specific document requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances.
What is the cost of an Australia Spouse Visa?
The cost of an Australia Spouse visa (Partner visa) varies depending on the specific visa subclass and whether the application is made from within Australia or outside the country.
The base application fee for both the Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820/ 309) and the Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801/ 100) is AUD $8850.
Additional costs, such as medical examination fees, police clearance certificate fees, and document translation and certification fees, may also apply.
Processing Time for Australia Spouse Visa
The processing times for the Australia Spouse Visa vary depending on the subclass:
For Subclass 820 - Processing Time
- 25% of applications are processed within 3 months.
- 50% of applications are processed within 6 months.
- 75% of applications are processed within 16 months.
- 90% of applications are processed within 34 months.
For Subclass 309 - Processing Time
- 25% of applications are processed within 6 months.
- 50% of applications are processed within 10 months.
- 75% of applications are processed within 15 months.
- 90% of applications are processed within 29 months.
For Subclass 801 - Processing Time
- 25% of applications are processed within 6 months.
- 50% of applications are processed within 10 months.
- 75% of applications are processed within 15 months.
- 90% of applications are processed within 29 months.
For Subclass 100 - Processing Time
- 25% of applications are processed within 12 months.
- 50% of applications are processed within 17 months.
- 75% of applications are processed within 20 months.
- 90% of applications are processed within 29 months.
These processing times are indicative and can vary based on individual circumstances.
