How to Get Ready for the Long Process Associated with a Partner Visa

When two people meet and fall in love, they may want to spend the rest of their lives together. This can be relatively straightforward if both have the same nationality or passport, but it can be difficult if one lives in Australia and the other does not. So, if you want to apply for a partner visa, you must have your eyes wide open and make sure that you go through the correct steps as you proceed. In particular, you need to prove your love to a complete stranger, which can often be tricky. What should you bear in mind?

Convincing a Stranger

While the Australian government is prepared to allow a foreign person to move to Australia and live with a partner, inspectors expect to see a detailed application with relevant proof. This can be especially challenging when you consider that you are being asked to prove your relationship is authentic through an online application and will need to generate enough evidence to go along with it.

Why the Process Is Harder

Unfortunately, many people in the past have abused the system and tried to get a visa through fraudulent means. This has caused the government to clamp down on the process, making it harder for people in your position to move forward.

Getting Ready for the Long Haul

Before you begin, understand that this process can be very time-consuming. It may take several years for you to get a permanent partner visa, and there may be several hurdles along the way. Make sure that your commitment is not only genuine but that you will both be tenacious as you move forward.

Become Snap Happy

Start the documentation process as soon as you decide you want to live together and that a partner visa could be a good option. Take photographs of anything and everything to do with your relationship and ensure that you keep them in good order as part of a filed system. Certainly, you are not expected to document any personal or private moments, but the more photographs you have of yourself (and especially with others), the better. Post some photographs on social media and share them with family and friends, so this information can be used to document your case in due course.

Mingling Funds

It's best if you get a joint bank account as soon as possible. This shows that you are co-mingling your funds and are therefore serious from a financial point of view. Use this account for all your rent, bills and groceries and keep statements to show these as proof.

Going into Detail

When you start to look at the application, you'll see that there is plenty of space for you to document your position. You should go into detail about how you met, where you were and how the relationship developed from there. You should talk about shared interests, what you like to do together and your plans for the future. Discuss these answers with your partner and ensure that you do not have any misunderstandings or miscommunications. You need to be on the same page when questions are asked later in the process.

Getting Professional Help

Above all else, ensure that you enlist the services of a skilled immigration attorney. They'll know the process inside out and can guide you through the many stages ahead.

For more information about partner visas, contact a local attorney. 


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