Let’s be honest – if you think putting together a successful Partner Visa can be done overnight then you’re in real need of some hot tips. Good thing you’ve come to the right place.
Preparing for your Australian Partner Visa is a big milestone for you and your partner. It requires time, love and importantly, an understanding of how the Australian immigration system works, and specifically the eligibility criteria for a Partner Visa.
It was hard to choose only 5 tips – there is just SO much that goes into a successful Partner Visa application.
1. Check your eligibility
A lot of couples I have seen believe that because they are in a relationship, they are eligible for an Australian Partner Visa. Unfortunately this just isn’t the case. There are certain criteria both you and your partner need to meet before you lodge a Partner Visa.
Lodging a Partner Visa isn’t cheap, with the visa application charge at $11,710 you want to be certain that you are eligible.
2. Organise your evidence
Organisation is key! The goal for you and your partner is to submit the best possible application that you can. That also means making the decision makers life easier by being able to understand your application.
Evidence collection doesn’t happen overnight. For a timeline on when to start gathering documents for the coming year, read our Preparation Guide.
The evidence you submit with your application is what your relationship is assessed against. You want to make sure that you are organising evidence into appropriate bundles, labelling documents correctly and following the ‘four pillars’ when it comes categorising your documents.
3. Complete ALL your forms at the same time
Consistency is an important theme throughout your Partner Visa journey. The best way to ensure consistent information is provided is if you complete all the forms at the same time. By doing this, you can avoid mistakes, it’s easier to cross check information and it will save you time in the long run.
4. Lodge a decision ready application
Otherwise known as ‘front-end loading’ an application. This term is referred to applications that have given the decision maker everything they need to make a decision on the case. Every form is provided, all your evidence is uploaded as well as your police clearances. Lodging a decision ready application signals to the decision maker that your application is ready for a decision, and you may have a faster processing time as a result.
5. Get immigration advice
Give your application the best chance of success. Even if you’re not going to use a migration agent to complete your application, I always recommend couples get immigration advice, especially in more complex situations. For example, if you or your partner don’t have much evidence, if there is a health issue, if either of you have any criminal convictions, if you and your partner have never lived together or have only been living together for a short time.
Here at The Partner Visa Academy, we do a full application review before lodgement because we understand you don’t know what you don’t know. This review allows our couples to press submit with peace of mind. The Partner Visa application fee is expensive and for most couples, you only get one shot. Invest in the time to get proper advice and in turn give yourself the best chance of lodging a successful Partner Visa.
IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.
