Follow These Steps When Applying For a Spouse Visa

If you are married or planning to become married to someone who is an Australian citizen, you have the option of applying for a spouse visa. Also called a partner visa, the spouse visa lets you live and work in the country along with your spouse. Here are some steps to follow when you need to get a spouse visa.

Decide On the Right Visa

The first thing you need to do is make sure you are applying for the right visa since there are several of them related to being in a relationship with someone who is a citizen of Australia. First of all, there are partner visas and prospective marriage visas. If you are engaged but not yet married, you will need to apply for the prospective marriage visa. With this visa, you prove that you intend to get married soon. When you are either in a defacto relationship or married to the citizen, you apply for a partner visa.

You also need to decide between a temporary or permanent partner visa. For example, if you are married to a citizen of Australia, but the two of you have not decided where your country of residence will be, you can start with a temporary partner visa. This lets you get a job and have other benefits of a citizen but leaves room for moving and getting a visa elsewhere.

Fulfill the Requirements

Before you fill out the application, make sure you currently fill the requirements for the type of visa you are applying for. If you are engaged and applying for a prospective marriage visa, you need to not only prove you have been in a relationship, but that you are engaged and currently planning the wedding. With a partner visa, show documentation that proves you are in a long-term relationship. You must be able to pass certain tests, including showing you are in good physical and mental health and that you fit their character criteria. If you are a felon or have criminal background from the country where you are a citizen, you might not be approved for the visa. If you're not sure about the eligibility, you can speak to a migration agent.

Fill Out Your Application

Once you have the required documents, you will then need to fill out your application. There is typically an application fee for each type of visa application. The government office will verify your information and possibly require you to wait a certain period of time before getting your visa. For more information, contact a business such as Fisa Pty Ltd.