How-to: Australian Partner Visa

My visa application all ready!

Recently I received a question about applying for an Australian partner visa so this is for all of you who’s better half (?) loves wearing wifebeaters (you know, those super cheap blue singlets), has a funny accent and loves saying “no worries”.

I have heard how people have been preparing their applications for months but in all honesty, it really isn’t that hard. From us it took two half-days and it was on it’s way. Therefore, here are a few tips!

1. 12-month-requirement

Ok. You’re blissfully in love and you decide to take the plunge and uproot your life and call Australia your new home. Awesome!

Before that, take care you have been in a de-facto relationship (aka lived) with your SO for at least 12 months. Do note that it doesn’t require traditional living together so e.g. that around-the-world-trip you took together does qualify as time living together. Well, as long as you have proof such as all reservations including both of your names.

Oh. Before you rush to the magistrate to make your SO your hubby, do note that it does not help in the visa process. A marriage certificate does work as proof exactly as does your power bill but it doesn’t waive the 12-month-requirement or make the process faster. Unfortunately!

2. Evidence

So you need evidence that you and your Aussie have been living together for 12 months and are as happy as ever? Immigration states that all documents have to be officially translated into English. It is a very good idea to get a translation of e.g. lease agreement (or get your landlord/agent write a letter confirming that you’re renting together) but don’t bother translating e.g. travel reservations. A good idea is to write a short summary on each page what you’re actually trying to prove and what the paper is all about.

Evidence can be e.g.

• a printscreen of e-mail inbox (you can search for e-mail from your SO and vice versa) – no need to give individual e-mails to Immi though!
• joint bills
• joint travel bookings, e.g. plane tickets, hotel reservations…
• concert tickets (we included these even when they only had my name on them)
• you can attach ten photos – one way to attach these are to glue the photos on A4s and then write a short caption to the photo. A rumour says that photos especially from social events and with family members are favoured!
• stat decs from Australians – there is a form to fill so your Aussie friends and future-in-laws don’t need to start to write actual letters! These are meant for proving that you really are in a genuine relationship… after all, forging a stat dec takes you to prison!
• letters you have received at the same address – if they’re official letters, amazing! Unofficial ones don’t have that big of an impact but do add them!
• invitations addressed to both of you – like to your cousin’s wedding last summer!
• a rental agreement that has both of your names on it
• a copy of a will
• proof of you being each other’s insurance beneficiaries
• a printscreen of your Skype call history (note that Skype saves history only for six months!)

So all in all, everything that proves you are genuinely a couple and that you have been living together is good evidence.

3. The official stuff

You need at least…

• certified photocopies of both of your passports
• your birth certificate (again, go to the magistrate)
• Police check (can order it here)
• four photographs of the applicant and two of the sponsor
• forms (go here)

4. How?

When you do start to put the papers together, do note that Immi really doesn’t want to get anything in a folder etc. – send the papers to them as a pile  and avoid staples as they most likely scan your pile of papers and there’s nothing more annoying than taking out 26 staples…

Also, even though according to Immi all copies have to be certified but this is not really the case. This applies only to official papers. So don’t bother even thinking about how you’re going to officially certify a printscreen of your inbox… But if you do need something to be certified (such as photocopies of both of your passports), visit your nearest magistrate!

A good tip is to write a cover letter that includes your index and then have a coloured page with a title for each section.

5. What and where?

Finland doesn’t have an Australian embassy so all Finns need to send their applications to the embassy in Berlin. Before you say goodbye to the pile of paper, do ensure you have enclosed everything and that you have filled in your credit card information because the first thing the embassy does is charge you the application fee, 2680 € (2013).

6. Medical

It has been said numerous times that don’t go through the medical before the embassy tells you to do so. It is known that some people front-load their applications but it might be better not to as the doctor sends the forms to the embassy so they might get confused if you haven’t even applied yet and don’t have a case number.

In autumn 2012 there were TWO doctors in FINLAND who were authorised by the Australian government to do the medicals – very unlucky for those who don’t live in Helsinki! The medical usually includes a normal medical, HIV-test, urinalysis and a chest x-ray. Whoah – Australia really doesn’t want unhealthy people.

You need two photographs for the medical forms and there are all sorts of funny things such as the person taking your blood has to sign their name so that it’s partly on the form and partly on the photo!

To give you an idea, the medical cost at least for me approximately 360 € (2012).

7. Waiting

It is a loooong wait. It feels like years, especially if your other half is on the other side of the world!

The average processing time is five months but be prepared to wait longer. For example, during the process I received an e-mail that the processing time has increased to 7-9 months due to the amount of applications.

Also, keep in mind that generally the applications are looked at already 1-2 months after you submit it. But then they’re all put into a long queue so even when your application is ready to be accepted, it still takes a few months as all the applications are generally always (exceptions are very rare) accepted in the order they were submitted.

8. What then?

When you finally get an e-mail that your visa has been granted, it’s time to celebrate!

Since it is so hard to guess when that happens, you really shouldn’t book flights before that. Your visa will have a date by which you have to enter Australia – this date is the date when your medical or police check expires (whichever happens first). Both of them are valid for one year.

9. Can you go to Australia before your visa has been granted?

Yes, e.g. on a tourist visa. But you have to inform your case officer about that as the visa can’t be granted when you’re in the country. You can have your case officer inform you when it is ready to be granted so you can just leave Australia for a few working days and then your visa can be granted and you can enter again.

Oh, and this applies only if you applied for your visa outside of Australia, naturally.

10. Applying overseas or in Australia?

• processing times are shorter if you apply overseas
• it is cheaper to apply overseas (currently if you apply in Australia, it is about $4000)

11. Questions? Leave a comment!

… and do note that this information is based on my own experiences and on everything I have read. Visa fees and requirements tend to change every now and then so do check Immigration’s website!