Remember policy, rules and laws are ever-changing and frequent in the current environment. Please make further enquiries before making bookings, changing travel plans or lodging Australian visas.
A lot of people are very reluctant to start their Australian partner visa application during Coronavirus/COVID-19. We understand, life is no longer as it was before and with this comes uncertainty across many areas of life including planning for the future.
Don’t be deterred by Covid 19 when it comes to progressing your future with your partner. You will find many of the families we look after have found, it’s a welcomed ‘kick up the butt’ to have us focus on what is important… our love, our future together and what we can do now to plan for a life together.
Today, we get you started on the questions you need to start asking yourself to determine if now is the time to consider a partner visa.
Yes, COVID-19 has impacted the operations of the Department of Home Affairs. Like most businesses and Government offices, the Department’s operations are limited. They continue to follow strict guidelines from the Department of Health such as social distancing and are currently operating with reduced working staff.
On the contrary, the Department of Home Affairs is still operational! They will continue to process visa applications even during the pandemic. Is visa processing affected? We speculate that it will be! Naturally, we can expect some delays in terms of processing, but it doesn’t mean that they are not working on finishing visa applications.
This is a big question that needs to be broken down into two parts.
Firstly and most importantly – do you and your partner meet the requirements for a partner visa to be applied for and granted? This is a question we recommend you have answered by a Registered Migration Agent.
Secondly, what are the logistics around satisfying some of the visa requirements in a Covid-19 environment? The Department is aware of the current situation in Australia and all around the world. Not all couples will be able to complete certain aspects of their application, this includes getting visa health checks, having documents witnessed, biometrics and more.
According to the Department, they are looking to give additional time for applicants to complete their checks and provide all the requested information. We expect that visa processing officers will take a fair and reasonable approach when it comes to the pandemic and the impact this has on some couples’ situations.
All relationships are unique! Your relationship is unique! It is crucial that you identify what type of visa works for your relationship and situation during COVID-19. The Department may have given additional time for requirements, but if you do not meet the criteria, they could still refuse your application.
Visas are determined based on legislative requirements. On the whole, these legal requirements have not changed so it is not the time to be making rash decisions and lodging unfounded applications. Particularly partner visas given the money at stake should a visa be refused.
Will you be opting for an onshore or an offshore application? Regardless of what you choose, always make sure that it is the correct partner visa that you are applying for. Do you have the right amount of evidence and the most suitable type of evidence to prove that you meet the requirements for the visa to be granted?
While the Department may take a fair and reasonable approach to cases and the impact Covid-19 may have, they still need to make a decision based on what the law requires. So in short Covid-19 is not an excuse for a poorly prepared, unfounded application.
Rushing your application isn’t going to make your chances higher. Having your application rejected during this time will cause a lot of stress and would be a huge waste of money. Engage a professional to work with you to help you make this assessment and if there is a budget for it, consider having the application professionally managed.
If you are still unsure what type of partner visa to get, then contact us!
We offer a 1-on-1 visa strategy session. We don’t rush applications. We make sure that you are in the right position to lodge your application and that you are applying for the correct partner visa.
Follow our Coronavirus/COVID-19 updates page for the latest pandemic related partner visa news and announcement.
IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.
Emma is the founder and principal migration agent at Freedom Migration. She is extremely passionate about uniting partners and families with their loved ones overseas. It might be because she's a product of a partner visa family.
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Thank you Emma yes it’s such a difficult time your information was helpful but at present time impossible situation Owen and I both no work in 2 different countries but at least we have each other and one day we will be able to apply
Love will conquer all ❤️
Hey Angie, we are glad that you found our blog helpful! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you won’t miss our weekly blogs! Stay safe.
hi! my fiancee and I have known eachother for years (and we’ve met in person too, many times). we wanted to file for a 820/801 (living in separate countries right now) but like many others the pandemic has really effected our plans and we might not see eachother until next year because of the travel ban. 🙁 if this is the case, and it looks like it’s heading that way, will that be an issue for us? i heard somewhere that you had to have met in the last two years to file/get married (which we’d like to do), could you please clarify this for me? any advice is appreciated. thanks so much!
Hey there, I’ve heard so many stories like yours in the last few weeks. The impact COVID is having on couples who are separated right now is huge. In your particular situation, things are a little more complicated and you will need professional advise, please give our office a call at 07 3063 1200 so we can help you further.
I am looking forward to apply 309/100 but a bit confused what to do due to current COVID situation. I am my partner’s sponsor and my wife is a homemaker. We are married over 13 years and have son who is 9years old. I want to relocate to Australia with my wife and our son who is aus citz by descent. But my wife needs to obtain a partner visa or a visitor visa to come along with us. Any suitable advice would be great help. Thanks!
Jo Syd
Hi Jo, it is true COVID has impacted a lot of families around the world. We will need more information before we can help you and your wife. Please give our office a call on 07 3063 120.
Hi Emma,
I’m looking to reunite with my son in Darwin, Northern Territory. He was born in Darwin and has turned 8 this year 2020.
I lived in Darwin for over 10 years. I went there on a Student Visa and whilst studying, I met my son’s mother, an Indigenous Australian who gave birth to our son. We were living separately. I get to see my son on arranged meetings.
I’ve been on two separate visas, from student visa to partner visa (another partner). My partner visa got cancelled so I returned to my country.
I’ve been in my country for 3 years now. I want to know; how do I get back to be with my son, this time permanently in Australia as I have a parental responsibilities. I want raise him up to be a good citizen. He needs me just as much as I need him.
Thanks,
Eric.
Hi Eric,
We don’t normally work on other visa applications aside from Partner Visa. If you need a referral for someone who can help you, let us know.
Hi, Currently in Aus on a Visitor visa 600. If I apply for a partner visa, do I have to request to leave the country during the application?
I was hoping to return to the UK to see family at some point but I am concerned if I start this it will restrict that. I would think that they would be more likely to decline a request to leave the country because of COVID.
At the moment me and my partner are concerned that if I returned home without him we would be separated for an indefinite time.
Hi Zoe, how much time is left on your current visitor visa? Maybe it would be better if you give our office a call at 07 3063 1200 so we could talk to you about your situation.
Hi, currently i am living in uk and my partner is in Australia who holds Australian citizenship. Now he wants to apply partner visa for me form Australia. So what do we need to do from Australia to UK. Please kindly let me know.
Hi Sirjana, we’d love to help you. Get your partner to give us a call at 07 3063 1200 or get in touch with us here https://www.freedommigration.com/contact-us and we can talk you through the process.
my partner and I we have been separated during the pandemic , she live in Auckland but the border is closed , I am a citizen of Australia what can do to enter in New Zealand to get married with her
Hi Jean-Louis, unfortunately, we can only help if your partner is coming to Australia. We don’t specialise in Immigration to New Zealand.
My wife is an Australian Citizen. We were married December 2013 we have been residing in Utah, USA since that time could you give advice on how to proceed with partner visa for myself to immigrate to Australia
Hi Russell, you might want to take a look at http://www.thepartnervisaacademy.com.au if you are looking to lodging your Partner Visa application on your own.