The partner visa is one of Australia’s most expensive visas. Currently, the visa application charge starts at $7850.00 AU. The large cost and lengthy process adds pressure to submit a complete and correct application. Moreover, a visa refusal may prevent you from applying in the future. Below, we outline some common reasons why an application could be refused.

Insufficient supporting documents

The most common reason for the refusal of partner visas is a lack of relationship evidence. To be eligible for a partner visa, you must be in a committed and genuine relationship with an Australian.

Check out our free partner visa assessment

As part of the visa application, you must upload documents to prove your relationship. The evidence can be split into four primary categories:

1. Nature of commitment
2. Nature of household
3. Financial commitment
4. Social aspects

Failure to provide evidence from each category can result in a visa refusal. For example, solely uploading social media and photos to a visa application is not enough to prove a relationship for visa purposes. Therefore it is important to provide a varied selection of relationship evidence.

Inconsistency in your visa application

When completing the online application, you will be asked about specific dates and milestones in your relationship. For example, the date you met and the date you committed to an exclusive relationship. If your supporting documents and relationship statement prove different dates then this will raise alarm for the case officer assessing your visa. A good Migration Agent will check and compare all documents and information provided before lodging your visa. Get a free quote today.

Falsified documents

Providing fraudulent documents and false statutory declarations is reason for a visa refusal. Consequently, you should ensure all documents are provided in English and are genuine. Moreover, when completing your visa application, you should ensure there is no incorrect information provided. It is your responsibility to ensure all information provided is true.

Character issues

Both the applicant and the sponsor’s character will be assessed. The applicant will need to disclose any criminal cautions and convictions in the visa application. Additionally, a police check for each country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years will be required.

Substantial criminal records will delay and sometimes prevent a partner visa being finalised

The sponsor must also disclose any criminal issues and provide police checks. Moreover, the applicant will be made aware of any police records the sponsor may have.

Lastly, Immigration will check the sponsor’s Australian residency status, and if they have previously sponsored another partner to emigrate to Australia. There are limits to the number of partners an Australian can sponsor.

If you are concerned about a partner visa refusal, our Migration Agent offers affordable visa consultations. Alternatively, you can seek free advice via our online assessment.

Learn more about the partner visa process and processing times, check out our dedicated webpage.

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Government announcements in conjunction with the Federal Budget suggest that Australia’s partner visa program will undergo substantial changes in 2021. Below, we outline upcoming changes to the Australian partner visa and how this may impact future applications.

If you need visa advice you can complete our free online assessment or arrange a consultation with our migration agent.

Onshore applicants visa grants

Currently, applicants applying for the partner visa (subclass 309) must be offshore at time of visa grant. However this legislation is proving problematic amid COVID travel restrictions, and a new bill is being debated in parliament. If passed, it will allow a temporary concession for those applicants who are in Australia and are not able to travel offshore to be granted their visa due to COVID-19 related border closures. More information is expected early 2021.

New English language requirement

From mid-2021, those applying for a permanent partner visa will need to prove their English language skillset. Both the applicant and sponsor must evidence functional English proficiency as part of this change. You can see further details on our partner visa webpage.

Change to sponsorship

Next year sponsorship must first be approved before an applicant can lodge their visa. This includes the sponsor providing character checks and personal information with the department and the applicant. Essentially, an applicant’s Australian spouse or de facto partner must be approved before they can lodge a partner visa application. This is a measure to help combat domestic violence in relationships.

To conclude

Implementation of the above changes is planned for 2021, however exact dates and specific details reman to be announced. You can monitor the latest visa news on our website. If you want to discuss emigrating to Australia you can arrange a consultation with our experienced migration agent.

See if you qualify for an Australian partner visa

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Those applying for a permanent partner visa will be required to prove their English proficiency.

Both the applicant and sponsor must provide evidence of functional English, typically by completing a recognised English Test. Alternatively, applicants can provide evidence of reasonable efforts to learn English – typically 500 hours of a recognised English Language Program.

While exact details are yet to be released, you can find more information about proving English ability on the Government website.

These new English language requirements are designed to enhance social cohesion and economic participation outcomes in Australia. By ensuring migrants can communicate in English, it is anticipated that new migrants will suffer less family violence as they’re able to seek help and speak with others. Moreover, migrants with good English ability have higher social and employability skills when living in Australia.

This requirement is expected to be implemented from mid-2021. Further details will follow.

See if you qualify for a partner visa

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