Are you married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and wish to join them in Australia? The Spouse Visa Australia is the ideal visa pathway to make that possible. At VisaTasker Pty Ltd, we understand the importance of reuniting families and are here to help you navigate the often complex spouse visa application process.
What Is a Spouse Visa Australia?
The Spouse Visa is part of the Partner Visa program in Australia and allows the spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live, work, and study in Australia. The visa process typically involves two stages—first, a temporary visa, and then permanent residency.
The Spouse Visa is classified under the following two categories:
- Spouse Visa (Temporary) Subclass 820 (Onshore) or Subclass 309 (Offshore)
This is the first stage of the Spouse Visa application process, allowing your spouse to live in Australia temporarily while their permanent visa application is being processed. - Spouse Visa (Permanent) Subclass 801 (Onshore) or Subclass 100 (Offshore)
After holding the temporary visa for two years, your spouse may apply for permanent residency, provided all eligibility criteria are met.
Eligibility Criteria for a Spouse Visa Australia
To be eligible for a Spouse Visa, you and your partner must meet several requirements:
- Relationship Proof
- You must be legally married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You must prove that your marriage is genuine and ongoing. Evidence can include marriage certificates, joint finances, shared living arrangements, and more.
- Sponsor Eligibility The sponsoring partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is capable of financially supporting the visa applicant.
- Health and Character Requirements Both you and your spouse must meet Australia’s health and character standards. This usually involves undergoing medical examinations and providing police clearance certificates.
- Genuine and Ongoing Relationship You must demonstrate that your marriage is genuine and continuing. You can prove this through joint finances, shared living arrangements, social outings, and statements from friends and family attesting to your relationship.
Onshore vs. Offshore Spouse Visa Applications
Your spouse can apply for a Spouse Visa either from onshore (within Australia) or offshore (outside Australia):
- Onshore (Subclass 820/801) If your spouse is in Australia on a temporary visa, they can apply for the onshore Spouse Visa (Subclass 820/801). Once the application is lodged, they will be granted a bridging visa to remain in Australia until a decision is made. After two years, they can apply for the permanent visa (Subclass 801).
- Offshore (Subclass 309/100) If your spouse is overseas, they can apply for the offshore Spouse Visa (Subclass 309/100). Like the onshore visa, this starts with a temporary visa, which allows your spouse to enter and live in Australia while their permanent visa application is processed.
Key Documents Required for a Spouse Visa
The application process for a Spouse Visa Australia requires several important documents, including:
- Proof of Identity: Passports, birth certificates, and any legal name changes.
- Proof of Marriage: Marriage certificates and photos from the wedding.
- Evidence of Relationship: Joint financial documents, shared leases, joint bank accounts, and social photos together.
- Health and Character Checks: Medical examination results and police clearance certificates.
- Sponsor’s Proof of Citizenship or Residency: Documents proving that the sponsoring partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Processing Time and Costs for a Spouse Visa
The processing time for a Spouse Visa can vary depending on whether you are applying onshore or offshore, the complexity of the application, and the number of applications being processed by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Temporary Visa (Subclass 820/309): Processing times can take 12 to 20 months.
- Permanent Visa (Subclass 801/100): After holding the temporary visa for two years, the permanent visa is generally processed within 12 months.
The application fee for a Spouse Visa starts at AUD 8,085, with additional costs for health exams, police checks, and document translations.
Benefits of the Spouse Visa Australia
Once your Spouse Visa Australia is granted, you and your partner can enjoy a range of benefits, including:
- Living in Australia: Your spouse can live and work in Australia while holding a temporary or permanent visa.
- Access to Medicare: Temporary visa holders can access Australia’s universal healthcare system, Medicare.
- Travel In and Out of Australia: While on a Spouse Visa, your spouse can travel freely in and out of Australia.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: After meeting certain criteria, your spouse can transition from a temporary visa to permanent residency, with a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Why Choose VisaTasker Pty Ltd for Your Spouse Visa Application?
At VisaTasker Pty Ltd, we understand how important it is to be with your loved one. Our team of MARA-registered migration agents specializes in handling Spouse Visa applications and offers expert guidance to ensure your application is accurate, complete, and meets all immigration requirements.
Our Services Include:
- Eligibility Assessment: We assess your eligibility for the Spouse Visa and advise you on the best course of action.
- Document Preparation: We help you gather and organize all necessary documents, ensuring that your application is well-prepared.
- Lodging Your Application: Our team manages the entire application process, from filling out forms to submitting your application.
- Post-Visa Support: We provide ongoing support as your application progresses, and we assist with transitioning from temporary to permanent residency.
Reunite with Your Spouse in Australia
If you’re ready to start your journey toward reuniting with your spouse in Australia, VisaTasker Pty Ltd is here to help. Contact us today to book a consultation and get expert advice on your Spouse Visa Australia application. Let us guide you through the process and bring your loved one closer.