Same Sex Partner Visas Australia
Are you a gay couple wanting to emigrate to Australia? Well now the process is exactly the same for you as with heterosexual couples as of the 9th December 2017.
Here, we take a look at the facts when it comes to applying for a same sex partner visa for Australia.
Same Sex Partner Visa Process
Lodging a Same Sex Partner Visa application is a two stage process, first you must apply for a temporary visa and next a permanent visa in one application at the same time. In other words you must apply for the 820 and 801 partner visa combination.
If your partner is off-shore when you lodge the application you will need to apply for the 309 and 100 partner visa combinations.
In order to apply for the first visas – 820 and 309 – you must meet the below requirements:
De Facto Partners:
- You must be sponsored by an eligible person – in most cases, your partner.
- The person cannot be related to you (e.g. family member)
- Alongside your de facto partner you must both be at least 18 years of age at the time of the visa application.
- Prove your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Evidence that you have been in the relationship for at least 12 months.
- Meet all the health and character requirements.
For Spouses:
- You must be sponsored by an eligible person
- You must be lawfully married to your partner who is usually your sponsor.
- Evidence that you and your partner have a shared commitment to the relationship exclusively as husbands or wives.
- Meet all the health and character requirements.
From Partner Visa to Permanent Residency in Australia
If you have met all the initial criteria you will be granted either of the temporary partner visas. This will be valid until the Department of Immigration and Border Protection makes a decision on your permanent visa application – with regard to either the 801 or 100 visa. This, on average, takes around 24 months after you first applied for both visas and depends on the upkeep of the above conditions.
If you need more information about applying for a same sex partner visa speak to our registered migration agent Perth or Brisbane.
Are you a gay couple wanting to emigrate to Australia? Well now the process is exactly the same for you as with heterosexual couples as of the 9th December 2017.