Sunday 3 July 2016

Same Sex Partners - Newsletter

Newsletter Number 6 - September 2016


Australia Partner Visa


The Australia Partner visa is for applicants who are married or in defacto relationships with Australian citizens, permanent residents or qualifying New Zealand citizens.


What subclass is the Australia Partner visa? 
The Australia Partner visa is divided into two categories:
  • Partner Temporary visa – this is a temporary visa.
  • Partner Permanent visa – this is a permanent visa.
To apply for the Partner Visa on the basis of marriage, you must be legally married to your Australian partner and sponsor. To apply from outside Australia, you must be legally married to your partner at the time of application or intend to legally marry your partner before a decision is made on the temporary Partner Visa.

De facto partners must show they have been in a de facto relationship for 12 months immediately prior to lodging their application. They must also show in their application proof their relationship is genuine and continuing, and that they live together and do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis.

  • You will be required to provide proof of your legal marriage, or defacto relationship and evidence of a mutual commitment to a shared life; and
  • Meet the health and character requirements designated by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).


What does the Partner visa allow me to do?

Temporary Partner visa

  • You are entitled to work in Australia and to study in Australia (you will not have access to government funding).
  • You may enroll in Australia’s medical benefits expenses and hospital care scheme, Medicare.
  • You are allowed to enter and stay in Australia until a decision is made on your permanent partner visa application.

Permanent Partner visa

  • Permission to enter or remain permanently in Australia with your partner and you may be eligible for Australian citizenship.
  • Entitled to work and study in Australia.
  • Able to enroll in Australia’s medical benefits expenses and hospital care scheme, Medicare, and may be eligible to receive certain social security payments.
Both of the above allow you to enter and work in Australia but the permanent visa allows you to also to remain in Australia, qualify for certain social security benefits and possibly receive Australian citizenship.

The temporary visa only entitles you stay in Australia until a decision is made about you permanent residency.

In addition:
If you lodge your temporary application outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the temporary visa is granted. If you lodge your temporary application in Australia, you must be in Australia when the temporary visa is granted.
In most cases, permanent residence cannot be granted less than 2 years from when you lodge your application. However, you may be granted a permanent visa without having to fulfill the usual 2 year waiting period if at the time you apply you meet certain criteria.
The waiting period (of 2 years) for permanent residence can be revoked if at the time you have applied:
  • You have been together (in a relationship) with your partner for 5 years or more (as a de facto partner or married ); or
  • You and your partner have been in married or in a defacto relationship for 2 years and have children.


     
Partner visa costs 

DIBP First Instalment Visa Charge                   A$ 6865.00
DIBP Second Instalment Visa Charge - Depends additional applicants 
Translations/Interpreters                                   A$ 55 per page if required.
Biometric Collection**                                             A$ 120.00*
Australian Federal Police check                       A$ 50.00*
Overseas Police check                                         A$ Not Known
Health examination                                              A$ 320.00*
*estimate only

Keystone Visa and Migration Services costs: A$ 3850.00
For more information please feel free to contact us at: www.keystonevisa.com.au