Partner Visa Australia includes categories 820/801 (filed domestically) and 309/100 (filed abroad). One of the most important parts of the application is to prove that the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant is genuine, continuous and long-term. Many people have the mentality of preparing as many documents as possible. However, the Partner Visa application is not a contest on document quantity. What is more important is that the evidence is consistent, has a clear timeline, and shows the relationship in many different aspects.
Below is a checklist of 4 groups of relationship evidence that the person preparing the Partner Visa application should review.
1. Financial evidence
Group of evidence financial helps show that two people share and connect economically in life.
Can prepare:
- Joint bank account.
- History of transferring money or providing financial support to each other.
- General living expenses.
- Contract or co-ownership documents, if any.
- Large expenses are jointly contributed by two people.
The important point is not that there was a transfer of money between two people, but thecontext and continuity of financial support.
For example, a single money transfer without a clear purpose may not have as much value as a history of regular, well-reasoned transactions that are appropriate to the actual circumstances of the two people.
2. Social Proof
A real relationship often not only exists between two people but is also expressed throughfamily, friends and surrounding social relationships.
Can prepare:
- Photos taken with both families.
- Photos with mutual friends.
- Proof of attendance at family events.
- Invitations, tickets or documents related to events you both attend together.
- Evidence suggests family and friends knew of the relationship.
A common mistake is submitting a lot of photos but almost all of them are just two people together. 100 photos of just two people are not necessarily as strong as a multi-dimensional set of evidence, including images and documents showing the presence of two people in each other’s family and social life.
3. Proof of cohabitation
If two people are or have lived together, it is necessary to prepare documents showing consistent cohabitation.
Some documents may include:
- Lease agreement in both names.
- Electricity, water, internet bills with same address.
- Bank documents showing same address.
- Address information on insurance.
- Tax returns or other administrative documents.
- Other documents show two people living at the same address.
It is important that the address and date information on the documents should match the relationship history declared. If there is a time when two people move house, live at different addresses or have a period of not living together, it should be explained clearly instead of leaving confusing gaps in the records.
4. Evidence of communication and relationship maintenance
Especially for couples who have lived apart, contact history can help show that the two people still maintain a relationship during times of separation.
Can prepare:
- Message history.
- Call history.
- Email or other forms of communication.
- Evidence of contact during periods when two people lived in different locations.
It is not necessary to submit thousands of pages of messages. It is more important to choose evidence that has a clear timeline and demonstrates the continuity of the relationship. A few screenshots that are undated or focus only on a short period of time often fail to represent the entire relationship history.
Partner Visa documents are easily overlooked
In addition to the above 4 groups of evidence, there are a number of important documents that applicants need to specifically check.
Marriage certificate or de facto evidence
For people who have gotten married, the marriage certificate is an important document in the file. For de facto relationships, it is necessary to specifically check the requirements for time and evidence of the relationship according to the specific circumstances of the application. Do not rely on just one document. The profile should show the history and evolution of the relationship over time.
Documents related to previous marriage
If the applicant or sponsor has been married, it is necessary to carefully check the previous marital status and related documents.
Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to provide:
- Divorce certificate.
- Death certificate of ex-spouse.
- Other documents proving current marital status.
This part should not be omitted or incompletely declared. Information about marital history needs to be reported truthfully and consistently with other information in the profile.
Statutory Declaration – Form 888
Form 888 – Statutory Declaration by a supporting witness can be used for relatives, friends or people who know the relationship to provide testimony to support the case.
You should choose people who really know about the relationship and can talk specifically about:
- How you two know each other.
- They knew the relationship from whence.
- Events or experiences they have witnessed.
- Why do they believe the relationship is real.
Instead of just looking for enough signers, priority should be given to independent witnesses who truly understand the history of the relationship.
Explain the periods of living apart
If during the process of being in love, two people had time to live apart, don’t let that time become a gap in the record.
Please prepare a suitable explanation, which can state:
- The time spent living apart.
- Reasons for living apart.
- Where does each person live?
- How do you two maintain your relationship?
- The times we met during that time.
- Plans to continue living together.
Geographical distance does not mean the relationship is not genuine. It is important that the application explains the circumstances and provides appropriate evidence.
Checklist Partner Visa: Don’t just ask “How many documents do I have?”
When reviewing your Partner Visa application yourself, try asking 4 questions:
1. Finances:Do you two have proof of financial sharing?
2. Social:Do family and friends know and recognize the relationship?
3. Cohabitation:Do the records show a history of cohabitation or living arrangements between the two people?
4. Contact: If you have lived apart, is there evidence that you have maintained an ongoing relationship?
If all four groups have relevant evidence and the information matches the time, place, and course of the relationship, the records will have a more consistent story. Each Partner Visa application has different circumstances. Therefore, a rigid checklist should not be applied to all cases. If you are preparing for Partner Visa 820/801 or 309/100 and are not sure what evidence is missing in your application.
Don’t just check to see if you have all the documents. Check that the evidence as a whole tells a clear, continuous and consistent relationship story.
Reference source: Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
