INTRO TO VISA
This visa allows an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Eligible New Zealand Citizen to sponsor their spouse or de facto partner to live in Australia with them. This visa requires that the couple must have lived together in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months or that they are married and have lived together for at least 6 months. It requires a joint bank account and proof of continuous and ongoing commitment to the relationship.
ABOUT THIS VISA
This visa is lodged onshore and the applicant is granted a bridging visa which will allow them to remain onshore during the processing phase. While on the bridging visa, the applicant will have full work, study and living rights. The applicant will be required to apply for a bridging visa to travel should they wish to do so while on the initial bridging visa. This partner visa does not require the applicant to meet language requirements, however they will be required to meet health and character requirement. The applicant is entitled to add in any minor children to the visa application provided that consent is obtained from the other parent allowing the child to be granted an Australian visa.
The sponsor is required to lodge a sponsorship and show that they are of good character and can support the applicant. There are limitations on sponsorship and the sponsor must be aware of these prior to lodging the sponsorship application.
AFTER GRANT
Once the Visa is approved the applicant is classed as a provisional resident with full work and study rights. The applicant and sponsor are required to ensure that the relationship continues as they will be required to show that the relationship is continuous and ongoing to advance to the Subclass 801 visa which is the permanent residence visa.