Marriage to an Australian does not guarantee citizenship, but it can help you get there. If you’re considering taking this road, you may be curious about the process and requirements. Australian citizenship by marriage entails multiple methods, including getting a partner visa, completing residency requirements, and establishing your devotion to Australia.
To begin your adventure, you must first apply for a spouse visa in Australia. This is the initial stage in the procedure, and it must be completed correctly. Once you get your partner visa, you must stay in Australia for a specified amount of time before applying for citizenship. You will also need to demonstrate that you are integrating into Australian society and are of good character. The process can be complicated, but with the right information and direction, you can effectively complete it.
The Path to Australian Citizenship Through Marriage.
Marriage to an Australian citizen or permanent resident does not guarantee citizenship, but it can help you get there. The process consists of multiple steps, beginning with getting a valid partner visa. You will need to apply for an onshore or offshore partner visa, depending on where you are at the time of application.
If you apply onshore, you may be given a Bridging Visa to stay in Australia while you wait for a decision on your temporary partner visa. Once your temporary visa is granted, you can continue living in Australia until a decision is made on your permanent residence application.
Obtaining a Valid Partner Visa
There are a few choices for spouse visas, depending on your scenario. If you’re married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) or Partner visa (subclass 100). The subclass 309 visa permits you to stay in Australia temporarily while your permanent Partner visa application is being processed. To apply for this visa, you must be outside Australia at the time of your application.
If you already live in Australia and are married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a Partner (Temporary) visa (subclass 820). This visa allows you to stay in Australia while your permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) application is being processed.
● De facto partner visas
If you have a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or qualified New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a partner visa. A de facto relationship is a committed partnership between two people who are not married but live together in a real domestic setting. To be eligible for a de facto partner visa, you must have been together for at least 12 months before applying.
De facto partner visas, like spouse visas, are classified into two types: the Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) for those applying from outside Australia and the Partner (Temporary) visa (subclass 820) for those applying within Australia. Both visas allow you to stay in Australia temporarily while your permanent partner visa application is being processed.
● Prospective Marriage visa
If you’re engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you could be eligible for a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300). This visa allows you to visit Australia and marry your future spouse within nine months of being granted. Once married, you may apply for a permanent partner visa to remain in Australia.
To be eligible for a Prospective Marriage visa, you must be outside of Australia when you apply and when the visa is issued. You must also meet certain health and character standards, and your relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
It’s worth noting that the partner visa application process might be complicated and time-consuming. You’ll need to offer detailed documentation of your relationship, including financial, social, and household aspects. As part of the application procedure, you may be required to undertake health and police checks.
If you are considering applying for a partner visa, you should seek professional assistance from a qualified migration agent or immigration lawyer. They can guide you through the application process and ensure you meet all of the requirements for a successful conclusion.
Partner visa Australia requirements
● Be 18 years old.
● Meet the relationship conditions.
● Meet the health and character criteria.
● Be sponsored by your fiancé/fiancée.
● Reimburse (or make plans to reimburse) any outstanding debts owed to the Australian government.
● Your partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealander. The visa process begins with the temporary partner visa (820) and advances to the permanent visa (801).
Documents Required for Spouse visa Australia
To apply for an Australian Spouse Visa, please submit the following documents:
● Valid passport (full 36 pages, notarized copy, including visa application)
● Old passport
● The couple’s overseas health insurance coverage
● Aadhar, Pan Card
● Digital pictures (35*45, 80% face reading, light backdrop)
● Resume/CV
● Proof of Identification (birth certificate)
● Relationship Proof: Marriage certificate or any other registration of the connection
● Death certificate, separation document, or divorce document, in case your spouse was previously divorced, widowed, or separated.
● Financial documents: Joint loan documentation for substantial assets such as homes, automobiles, or critical appliances; joint bank account statements; and joint lease documents
● Documents of social matters: Proof that you travel together.
● To file a statutory declaration of separation, fill out Form 888 with at least two witnesses who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
● Written assertions or statutory declarations
● Proof of joint ownership of real estate or other large assets (cars, homes, appliances, etc.).
● Birth certificate containing parents’ names, government-issued identification documents, and so on.
● Pages from your existing passport that display your photo
● Personal information, passport issue, and expiration dates
● A national identification card, assuming you have one.
● Proof of name change, if applicable.
Benefits of marrying an Australian citizen
1. You’ll have access to high-quality healthcare.
Australia has a world-class healthcare system that is affordable and accessible to all citizens. When you marry an Australian, you’ll have access to this same level of care, no matter what your medical needs may be.
2. You can enjoy a laid-back lifestyle.
Australians are known for their carefree approach toward life. When you marry one, you will be able to enjoy their laid-back lifestyle firsthand. From beachside barbecues to leisurely Sundays spent watching sports, there is always time to unwind and enjoy life in Australia.
3. You’ll never run out of stuff to do!
Australia is a country full of natural beauties, cultural experiences, and thrilling activities. Whether you enjoy surfing, hiking, or exploring the local art scene, there is always something new and fascinating to discover in Australia.
4. Your children will have excellent chances.
When you marry an Australian citizen, your children instantly become citizens. This means they’ll have access to world-class education and work prospects, which can help them achieve long-term success.
5. You can discover breathtaking natural landscapes.
From the Great Barrier Reef to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia has some of the most beautiful natural vistas in the world. When you marry an Australian citizen, you’ll have easy access to these wonderful attractions.
According to data from the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs, approximately 115,000 persons were given citizenship in 2019-2020, with the majority of applicants hailing from India, the United Kingdom, and China.
What does the Spouse visa Australia cost?
The cost of a spouse visa in Australia varies according to the visa category; however, it is typically roughly AUD 8,850 for the main applicant. Additional fees apply to children and other family members. The cost of a Prospective Marriage Visa is AUD 1,475.
What is the Fiancé visa Australia processing time?
The wait time for the Australian Embassy to decide on a subclass 300 or subclass 309 visa application might be between 6 and 8 months. The standard processing period for an Australian visa and ETA is 24 hours, while rushed visas can be completed in less than 24 hours, and super-rushed processing takes one hour.
It should be remembered that all fiancé, partner, and marriage visa applications lodged offshore are processed by Australian embassies in the order in which they arrive. The processing time for a fiancé visa in Australia is normally two years.
Ways To Get A Successful Partner Visa/Marriage Visa & Faster Processing Times
1. Apply for The Right Partner Visa
Although this may appear uncomplicated, it is dependent on your eligibility, whether there is sufficient documentation to support the visa application, and whether your visa restrictions enable you to apply for another visa. Migration Agents can help with the application process by advising you on the appropriate Partner, Marriage, or Spousal Visa to apply for.
2. Certified & Translated into English.
The Partner Visa is a combined application for permanent residency. The Department must be satisfied with your identification. As a result, before applying for the visa, make sure your identity documents have already been confirmed as true copies, and if they are not in English, have them translated by an accredited NAATI translator.
3. Meet the Partner Visa Criteria
You probably did not consider applying for a partner visa when you first met your soulmate, but as time passes, you realize that being apart from each other is simply not an option. You want to see each other every day for the rest of your life, but proving that your relationship fits the requirements for a Partner Visa is another story.
Your primary goal is to obtain a successful partner visa quickly. To achieve this, you must demonstrate that you and your partner have been together for the period specified. For de facto partner visas, you must show that you have lived together for at least 12 months (subject to exceptions).
For married couples, you must demonstrate that you have had a true and enduring relationship since at least the time of marriage, preferably since you met and courted each other before marriage. Each relationship should include a reasonable quantity of evidence gathered from the start of the relationship until the time of lodgement proving that your relationship is real and ongoing to the exclusion of others.
4. Demonstrate You & Your Sponsor Are People of Good Character
You will be required to present police checks from both your home country and any other country where you have stayed 12 months or more in the previous ten years.
You may feel that a minor driving infraction does not require a declaration. The Australian government requires all applicants to take a thorough character test. By neglecting to report even minor infractions of the law, you risk providing incorrect and misleading information to the Department, which might result in the Partner Visa being denied and a three-year ban on applying for additional visas in Australia.
5. Update the Department on Your Relationship/ Respond Immediately to Requests for Information
The long processing timeframes indicate that many Partner Visas are being filed; therefore, your partner application must stand out from the crowd and make it simple for the case officer to make an assessment. By achieving the basic criteria for a Partner visa, you are ensuring that you have made an application for a legitimate visa. Go one step further and enhance your application with irrefutable evidence that your relationship is genuine and continuing to the exclusion of all others.
Conclusion
Navigating the citizenship application process requires meticulous planning and attention to detail. Understanding the requirements, obtaining the necessary documentation, and adhering to the methods outlined by the Department of Home Affairs might increase your chances of a successful application. Marrying an Australian citizen can result in citizenship, but it is not a guarantee. To become an Australian citizen, you must demonstrate your commitment to the country and meet all eligibility conditions.
