Family and Spouse Visas

You may be eligible for an Australian Spouse visa, in case you are presently sharing a relationship with a permanent resident of Australia, or an Australian citizen, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand, and want to reside with your partner in Australia.

 For the applicants, it is necessary to provide substantial proof that they are sharing a genuine relationship, which would be continuing. Some of the ways to demonstrate this proof is to show financial commitment, the nature of their household, emotional support and social acceptance. After you submit your application, the authorities may initially grant you a temporary visa, while they decide on your permanent visa for immigration. You can obtain a permanent visa, in case you are in the relationship for more than 2 years. Besides, some applicants may be entitled to get the permanent visa directly. This depends on the strength of your relationship, and whether or not you have children.

Married couples

For married couples, the marriage has to be recognized as per the Australian law. Under this law, marriages that are carried out and recognized in a country other than Australia are normally recognized in Australia as well.

De Facto Couples including same-sex couples

In case of de factor relationships including same-sex and heterosexual couples, they should be living together for a period of 12 months at least, before they submit their application. In case you are in a de factor relationship, can also register their association in order to relax the requirement of living together for 12 months.

An applicant may also be entitled to apply on the grounds of de facto, in case he or she have been living for the mentioned duration, given that their relationship is mutually exclusive. This is also applicable if any of the parry is married legally to a third person and waiting for a divorce.

Entitlements of the visa

Once you obtain this visa, you would be entitled to:

• Work in Australia
• Reside in Australia, unless any concrete decision is made with regard to the permanent partner visa
• Study in the country without accessing the funding of the government
• Access Medicare, the healthcare and expense scheme of the Australian government