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australian partner visas - visa requirements - spouse / de facto

This visa type is suitable for the wife, husband or de-facto (including same sex relationship) partner of an Australian sponsor. There are several requirements that applicants must meet in order to be considered for a Partner Visa:

Must be of marriageable age:
  • If either partner currently resides in Australia, both must have turned 18;
  • If neither partner resides in Australia, both must have turned 16;
  • Provisions exist for persons between the ages of 16 and 18 to marry under court order.
If married - marriage must be recognised under Australian Law:
  • Marriage must be legal in Australia or in country of marriage;
  • Marriages NOT recognised include:
    • Arranged or proxy marriages (husband and wife must have physically met before marriage, and live together after marriage);
    • Polygamous marriage;
    • Marriages within prohibited degrees of relationship (generally meaning close family members);
    • Same sex marriage (considered a de facto relationship);
    • Marriage of convenience;
    • Marriage that is only recognised by custom.
If unmarried – must be in a de facto (includes same sex relationships) relationship:
  • Live together (or do not live apart on a permanent basis);
  • Commitment to a shared life as husband and wife to exclusion of all others;
  • Must have lived together for a period of at least 12 months prior to lodging visa application.

This visa can be applied for from within, or outside of Australia.

Please be aware:

All relationships will be assessed on a number of factors to determine that the relationship is genuine.

We advise that applicants should be able to:

  • Provide evidence detailing mutual commitment – which includes the length of the relationship and time spent living together;
  • Provide financial evidence supporting their mutual commitment to their partner;
  • Provide evidence demonstrating the social aspects of the relationship, including pictures and the opinions of family and friends about the relationship.
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