How To Convert Australia Visitor Visa to a Partner Visa in 2024
Have you ever wanted to settle in Australia? How would it feel to be a permanent resident? Join your loved one on an incredible adventure and become a part of this vibrant, diverse nation, Australia. The journey might be challenging, as it always is, with unique experiences. However, if you prepare ahead of time and follow the necessary steps, the shift will go well. Let’s start by discussing how to convert your visitor status to partner status in Australia.
7 Steps To Converting A Visitor Visa To Partner Visa
In the following paragraphs, we will understand how to convert a Visitor Visa to a Partner Visa.
You can change your tourist visa into a partner visa in Australia only if you fulfil specific requirements. This comprises, among other things, confirming your eligibility and understanding plus acquiring the required documents. The following seven easy procedures will help you apply for a partner visa while on a tourist visa.
1. Australian Partner Visa Eligibility Check
Below are the partner visa Australia requirements:
- One must be at least 18 years old.
- Have a married or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You have not had an Australian visa revoked, or an application refused.
- You and your spouse must be completely committed to each other’s lives.
- Your connection with your partner should be open and consistent.
- You must live with your partner and not separately.
- The Department of Home Affairs must authorize your partner to act as your sponsor.
- You must meet both the health and character criteria.
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2. Extend Your Visitor Visa If You Have a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition
The next thing you need to understand is condition 8503, or no further stay conditions. An Australia visitor visa can be obtained for a maximum of 12 months. However, they are often only issued for three months, and many of them come with a “no further stay” restriction. Thus, be sure to confirm if this need is included in your existing visiting visa. If it is, there’s no need to worry—you may request a waiver.
If you’re considering converting your visitor visa into a partner visa in Australia, you must ensure that your visitor visa has enough time before it expires. Suppose you’re uncertain whether you can complete the Partner Visa application process within the remaining validity period of your Visitor visa. In that case, you might want to explore options for extending the validity period of your current visa.
Additionally, explicitly declaring your intention to apply for a Partner visa could indicate that you’re not complying with the conditions of your temporary entry visa. However, suppose you still have time left on your Visitor visa before it expires, and you intend to marry your partner. In that case, proceeding with the marriage registration process as soon as possible is advisable. Marrying before the expiration of your Visitor visa could facilitate the conversion process to a Partner visa without explicitly signalling your intentions to immigration authorities.
3. Relationship Registration
Is it possible to obtain a partner visa without getting married? Yes, but only if you are in a de facto relationship—that is, if you have lived with your spouse for a full year. Nevertheless, given that you have so far only been in long-distance relationships, we fear there is very little likelihood that you will fulfill the requirements for a de facto relationship.
You may want to register your relationship with the state government if you and your partner would rather apply for a Partner Visa as de facto partners. Except for Western Australia, it is possible in the majority of Australian states and territories.
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4. Prepare All the Required Documents to Apply for Your Partner’s Visa
You will first be awarded a temporary visa as part of the two-stage application procedure for a partner visa. Generally, you cannot apply for a permanent partner visa, which allows you to reside in Australia continuously, until two years after you have filed for a temporary partner visa.
You will need a police certificate from your home country and present it to the Department of Home Affairs with documentation proving your identification and details of any prior marriages. Obtaining these documents could take some time, therefore it’s advisable to apply for a lengthy Australia tourist visa extension before getting married.
Please don’t assume that possessing a marriage certificate is the solution; instead, the true problem is presenting the Department of Home Affairs with a convincing image of your relationship. You must explain each aspect of your connection in as much detail as you can, including:
- When, where, and how you first met.
- An overview of the relationship.
- Your engagement, marriage, and moving in together.
- Your couple’s activities together and with others.
- You spent time apart.
- The relationship’s significant events.
- Future Plans.
- Your approach to sharing financial and domestic information.
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5. English Translation of Your Documents
If English is not your native language, you must translate every documentation you submit. Regardless of where you complete this, you will have to plan for expenses, whether you are in Australia or in your own country.
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6. Apply for a Temporary Partner Visa Application
After putting in so much effort, all that’s left to do is apply for a subclass 820 Partner Visa (Temporary). Similar to other visa applications, yours must be accompanied by verification of your identity and accurate facts.
Your Australian partner will want your transaction reference number for their sponsorship application, so be sure to record it when you apply and pay the visa fee on the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount website. You may also submit requests for further information using your ImmiAccount.
7. Await the Approval of Your Partner Visa
You should continue adding papers to your application after you’ve submitted it to demonstrate that your connection is sincere and ongoing. You can do this once a month to keep the Department of Home Affairs informed about your connection.
You also need to monitor the status of your application closely. Regularly check your email and Immi Account, as the Department of Home Affairs may ask for further information or documentation.
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Conclusion
Obtaining a partner visa may be a lengthy process, but you must remain organized. Keep your contact information current, and most importantly, maintain patience. Preparation, diligence, and an understanding of the process are essential for obtaining a partner or spouse visa. You can complete your application accurately and meet all requirements with the assistance of a registered migration agent.