1. Relationship Requirements- You must be in a genuine relationship with your Australian partner who is either an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You'll need to provide evidence of your relationship, including documents such as joint bank accounts, shared bills, photographs together, and statutory declarations from family and friends supporting your relationship.
2. Eligibility- You and your partner must meet the eligibility criteria for the partner visa subclass you're applying for. This includes meeting age requirements, health requirements, and character requirements. You must also not be prohibited from applying for a visa.
3. Sponsorship-Your partner must sponsor you for the visa and agree to provide financial, emotional, and accommodation support for you during your stay in Australia.
4. Application Forms- You'll need to complete the relevant partner visa application form accurately and provide all required supporting documents.
5. Proof of Identity- You'll need to provide proof of identity, such as a valid passport and birth certificate.
6. Health and character Requirements- You and any family members included in your application must meet the health and character requirements. This may involve undergoing medical examinations and obtaining police clearance certificates.
7. Relationship evidence- You'll need to provide extensive evidence of your genuine and ongoing relationship, including proof of cohabitation, joint finances, joint commitments, and shared social activities.
8. Financial Support-You may need to demonstrate that you have access to sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members in Australia.
9. Biometrics and interviews- Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) and attend an interview as part of the visa application process.
10. Visa Application Charges- Partner visas typically have significant visa application charges. You'll need to pay these charges when you lodge your visa application.
11. Processing Time- Partner visa applications can have long processing times, so it's essential to apply well in advance of your intended travel date.