 DE-FACTO PARTNER VISA
Australian partner visas - visa requirements - spouse / de facto
This visa type is suitable for the wife, husband or de-facto partner of an Australian sponsor. There are several requirements that applicants must meet in order to be considered for a Spouse Visa:
Must be of marriageable age:
- If either partner currently resides in Australia, both must have turned 18;
- If neither partner resides in Australia, both must have turned 16;
- Provisions exist for persons between the ages of 16 and 18 to marry under court order.
If married - marriage must be recognised under Australian Law:
- Marriage must be legal in Australia or in country of marriage;
- Marriages NOT recognised include:
- Arranged or proxy marriages (husband and wife must have physically met before marriage, and live together after marriage);
- Polygamous marriage;
- Marriages within prohibited degrees of relationship (generally meaning close family members);
- Same sex marriage (may be considered for Interdependency Visa);
- Marriage of convenience;
- Marriage that is only recognised by custom.
If unmarried – must be in a de facto relationship:
- Live together (or do not live apart on a permanent basis);
- Commitment to a shared life as husband and wife to exclusion of all others;
- Must have lived together for a period of at least 12 months prior to lodging visa application.
This visa can be applied for from within, or outside of Australia.
Please be aware:
All relationships will be assessed on a number of factors to determine that the relationship is genuine.
We advise that applicants should be able to:
- Provide evidence detailing mutual commitment – which includes the length of the relationship and time spent living together;
- Provide financial evidence supporting their mutual commitment to their partner;
- Provide evidence demonstrating the social aspects of the relationship, including pictures and the opinions of family and friends about the relationship.
|
