Partner & Family Visas for Australia

Partner migration to Australia

Australia may issue an immigration visa to spouses or de facto partners (people who have been living together for over 12 months) of Australian or eligible New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents. There are many misconceptions about this visa, so do not believe everything you hear about eligibility requirements.

Some people believe the partners of Australian citizens have a right to a spouse visa. But this is not necessarily true if you cannot provide the right evidence that the relationship is genuine.

Others have come to us with the assumption that you need to have a joint bank account with your partner before you are granted a visa. But this is also untrue.

Read this handy article about common misconceptions of spouse visas.

Difficulties obtaining a partner visa

As with all visa applications Australian Immigration Lawyers will ensure you do not make the following mistakes when applying for your partner or spouse visa:

• Withholding vital evidence or providing false evidence
• Not responding in time to Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) questions
• Misunderstanding Australian immigration law or policy
• Getting confused about the correct procedure or requirements
• Applying for the wrong visa
• Mistaking your eligibility for a particular visa

Requirements for the partner migration visa application

To qualify for a partner or spouse visa for Australia, you must provide proof of being married or living de-facto for 12 months in a genuine and ongoing relationship. You will also need proof of your identity and health & good and character.

How long does it take to process a partner/spouse visa?

As visa processing times vary, it’s best to check the following Australian Government resource for an accurate estimated processing time.