Australia Spouse Visa Consultant in Riyadh

Australia, with its beautiful landscapes, superior healthcare system, and strong economy, remains a dream place for those wanting to create a future with their loved ones. Among the most sought-after methods for married couples to reunite and settle in Australia is the Spouse Visa. This visa permits the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to work, live, and study in Australia. If you are thinking of applying for a spouse visa to Australia, this ARZ Consultants guide will take you through everything you need to know, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.

What is a Spouse Visa for Australia?

An Australian Spouse Visa is included within the Family Stream of the Skilled Migration Program. A spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying New Zealand citizen is permitted to enter and stay in Australia under this visa. Two stages exist: the first, a temporary visa, and the permanent visa.

• Temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820): This visa permits the applicant to reside in Australia temporarily while the permanent partner visa is under process.

• Permanent Partner Visa (subclass 801): This visa enables the applicant to reside in Australia permanently and is issued after the applicant has been granted the temporary visa (subclass 820), in most cases, two years from the time of application.

Applicants may apply for both visas simultaneously (which implies that you will be issued the temporary visa initially, and subsequently, the permanent one). The processing times for the visas may differ, but they generally take between 12 to 24 months, depending on several factors like the complexity of the application and the visa office handling it.

Eligibility Requirements for Spouse Visa

To qualify for an Australian spouse visa, both the sponsor (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen) and applicant (spouse or partner) must fulfill certain requirements:

For the Sponsor (Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Eligible New Zealand Citizen):

• Age Requirement: The sponsor should be 18 years of age or above.

• Relationship with the Applicant: The sponsor has to be married to, or in a de facto relationship with, the applicant. A de facto relationship exists where the couple have lived together for 12 months or more.

• Good Character: The sponsor should not have a substantial criminal record, as this may impact the application.

• Not Receiving Social Welfare: The sponsor should not be receiving some government benefits, other than disability support.

• Previous Sponsorship: The sponsor must not have sponsored a previous partner in the past five years (other than in specific circumstances).

For the Applicant (Spouse or De Facto Partner):

• Genuine Relationship: The applicant needs to prove that their relationship with the sponsor is genuine and ongoing. This can be supported by documents like marriage certificates, joint financial statements, shared accommodation information, photographs, and communication history.

• Age Requirement: The candidate should be a minimum of 18 years old.

• Health and Character Requirements: The candidate should be subjected to a medical checkup and provide police clearance certificates to establish that they do not have a criminal record that would disqualify them from entering Australia.

• No Previous Immigration Violations: If the candidate has previously broken Australian immigration laws, this may affect their application.

• Financial Assistance: The sponsor needs to show that they have the capability of financially assisting the applicant when residing in Australia. 

Application Procedure for Spouse Visa

Spouse visa application to Australia consists of numerous procedures, from gathering documents required to waiting for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs. An overview of the most important steps is below:

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Necessary Documents

To apply for the spouse visa, you will have to collect a range of documents to demonstrate your eligibility. Among the crucial documents are:

1. Evidence of identity (passport, birth certificate, etc.)

2. Marriage certificate (if the case) or evidence of a de facto relationship (e.g., bills together, joint leases)

3. Police clearance certificate from all the countries in which the applicant has resided for more than 12 months over the previous 10 years

4. Medical examination report for the applicant

5.Evidence of the true relationship (photos, shared finances, social media contact, shared travel records)

6. Statutory statements from friends and relatives corroborating the relationship

Step 2: Lodge the Application

After you have collected all the necessary documents, you can apply online via the Department of Home Affairs website. You will need to fill out the correct forms for the temporary partner visa (subclass 820) as well as the permanent partner visa (subclass 801) simultaneously.

During submission of the application, you also have to pay the application fees, which will be between AUD 7,000 and AUD 8,000 (liable to change). It is crucial to make sure that all details given are complete and accurate since missing or wrong information can hinder the process.

Step 3: Wait for Processing and Interview (if applicable)

After submission of the application, the Department of Home Affairs will process it. During the processing of the temporary visa (subclass 820), the applicant is allowed to stay in Australia, work, and study. However, some applicants will be requested to sit for an interview in order to offer more illumination about the relationship.

Processing of spouse visa applications takes varying periods, but usually around 12 to 24 months. It's advisable to be patient during this time and also respond as early as possible to any requests for further information from the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 4: Receive Temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820)

After the Department of Home Affairs is satisfied with your application, they will issue you with the Temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820). This enables the applicant to reside in Australia while waiting for their application for permanent residency to be processed.

Step 5: Receive Permanent Partner Visa (subclass 801)

After about two years since the application was submitted, the Department of Home Affairs will consider the Permanent Partner Visa (subclass 801) application. They will examine aspects such as whether the relationship is continuing and genuine. Provided all requirements are fulfilled, the applicant will be granted permanent residence in Australia.

Step 6: Visa Grant and Arrival in Australia

Once the permanent visa is approved, the applicant may reside, work, and study in Australia permanently. They will also be eligible for healthcare under Medicare and may later apply for Australian citizenship, subject to meeting the residency and other requirements.

Processing Times and Fees

The processing time for the spouse visa is relative to the level of complexity in the application, as well as to other considerations like the home country of the applicant and concerns with the documents submitted. Temporary partner visas, on average, process within 12 to 18 months, while permanent partner visas tend to take approximately 24 months.

A spouse visa application costs approximately AUD 7,000 to AUD 8,000, and this encompasses both temporary and permanent applications. Note that the above costs do not include additional expenses such as medical check-ups, police reports, and other required documents.

Tips for a Successful Spouse Visa Application

Supply Clear and Comprehensive Evidence: The most important factor in a successful application is showing the sincerity of your relationship. Ensure you provide as much evidence as you can, such as photographs, shared financial data, and statements from family members and friends.

Complete and Correct Information: Make sure all forms are filled in correctly and that you provide all the necessary documents to prevent delays.

Consult an Expert: It can be overwhelming to deal with the intricacies of the Australian immigration process. ARZ Consultants is here to offer expert guidance and make sure your application is compliant with all requirements.

Why Choose ARZ Consultants?

At ARZ Consultants, we have experienced immigration professionals who are familiar with Australian immigration law and can assist you through each step of the spouse visa application process. From gathering documents to lodging your application and handling any issues that might occur during processing time, we make sure that your path to Australia is easy and trouble-free.

If you are prepared to make an application for a spouse visa to Australia, call ARZ Consultants now and get advice from expert professionals and tailored assistance. We are dedicated to assisting you in joining your loved ones in Australia.