Partner Visa Process and Requirements
If you are in a committed relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a Partner Visa. Partner visas can be lodged from either inside or outside Australia and provide a pathway to permanent residency.
Understanding the partner visa requirements and processing is critical to preparing a strong application.
Partner Visa Processing: Two-Stage System
For most applicants, the Partner Visa process occurs in two stages:
Temporary Partner Visa
Permanent Partner Visa
Each stage requires the submission of supporting documentation and is assessed separately.
The temporary stage focuses on whether the relationship is genuine.
The permanent stage assesses whether the relationship has continued since the temporary visa was granted.
Applicants are generally eligible to be considered for the permanent stage two years after lodging the initial partner visa application.
Long-Term Partner Relationships (Double Grant)
In some cases, applicants may receive both the temporary and permanent visas at the same time (commonly referred to as a double grant).
This may apply where the couple is in a long-term partner relationship, meaning that at the time of application they have:
Been in a de facto or married relationship for at least two years and have a child; or
Been in a de facto or married relationship for at least three years.
While meeting these criteria does not guarantee a double grant, applicants who qualify should consider requesting it as part of their partner visa application.
Partner Visa Requirements
To be eligible for a Partner Visa, applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:
Be in a de facto relationship of at least 12 months;
Have a registered de facto relationship; or
Be legally married.
Further, the applicant must demonstrate to that their relationship involves:
A mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others;
Is genuine and continuing; and
That the applicant either lives with their partner, or does not live separately on a permanent basis.
Genuine Relationship Requirement (The 4 Pillars)
For a Partner Visa application, the Department assesses four key areas (often referred to as the “4 pillars”):
Financial aspects of the relationship
Social aspects of the relationship
Nature of the household
Nature of the commitment to each other
A legally recognised relationship, including marriage, is not sufficient on its own. Applicants must demonstrate that the relationship is genuine in substance.
Partner Visa Evidence Requirements
The strength of a partner visa application depends heavily on the quality of the supporting evidence.
In some cases, evidence is clear and compelling—for example:
Long-term joint bank accounts
Joint ownership of property or significant assets
In other cases, couples may be in a genuine relationship but have limited financial or documentary evidence. These applications require careful preparation to clearly explain how the available material demonstrates a genuine and continuing relationship.
Applicants must also provide written statements from at least two individuals confirming the legitimacy of the relationship.
Where couples have lived together and share a social circle, this evidence is often straightforward.
Where couples have not lived together, additional care is required to present appropriate supporting material.
The nature of the household and the commitment between partners can be particularly difficult to evidence through documents alone, especially where cohabitation has been limited.
Long Migration Law – Partner Visa Assistance
If you are considering applying for a Partner Visa but are unsure whether you meet the requirements, or need guidance on the process and documentation, please contact Long Migration Law.
