Changes to Partner Visas
Significant changes are happening to Partner visa applications. This will be in the visa process. The Department of Home Affairs is introducing a separate application for Partner visas and sponsors, which must be lodged and approved before a Partner visa application can be lodged. This is set to take place from the 16th April 2019.
This may have a significant impact on whether a visa applicant can apply while in Australia, as there would be no bridging visa to allow them to stay here while the sponsorship application is being processed.
What is the current process?
At present, overseas partners, whether lodging from within or out of Australia, lodge an online Partner visa application. The sponsor can then lodge their application.
Lodging a valid partner visa whilst in Australia allows the visa applicant to obtain a Bridging Visa A (BVA) which will take effect when their current visa expires.
The BVA holder will then be able to remain in Australia until a decision is made on the partner application. During this processing time the BVA holder will also be entitled to Medicare and have full work rights. Further information on the Partner visa process is available here.
What will the impacts be?
Partner visa applicants with limited time remaining on their current visa will be required to lodge another type of valid visa application to allow them to stay in the country, or they will need to depart Australia and remain overseas until the sponsorship application or both stages of the application process are approved.
Unless a valid visa application is lodged whilst in Australia, the applicant will not be entitled to a Bridging Visa A, Medicare or full work rights.
What can AustraliaMigrate do to help?
To minimise the impact, we recommend lodging the partner visa application as soon as you are eligible. Please call or email us ASAP to discuss how we can help
Contact us at [email protected] or 61 2 94116000 for detailed information.
