How to Apply for a Partner Visa?

The Relationship “Four Pillars”

Evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship

What evidence is required for an Australian partner visa?

When applying for an Australian Partner Visa, whether an onshore 820/801 visa, offshore 309/100 visa, or fiance 300 visa, it's imperative to provide evidence of your relationship.

You need to provide evidence of your relationship with your partner that shows:

  • you have a mutual commitment with your spouse of de facto partner to the exclusion of all others;

  • your relationship is genuine and continuing;

  • you live together or don't live permanently apart;

  • you are not related by family.

Applicants are required to substantiate the sincerity and continued existence of their relationship. This entails more than mere legal formalities; it demands a demonstration of the emotional attachment and genuine connection between partners. Evidence should span shared experiences, intimate knowledge of each other's lives, and a profound understanding of each other's desires and aspirations. Providing personal anecdotes, stories, and photographs that capture the essence of the relationship can effectively bolster this criterion. As a part of the evaluation process, the Department of Home Affairs evaluates specific aspects of your relationship, commonly referred to as the "four pillars".

These four essential relationship pillars serve as the Department's criteria for partner visa assessments. In the context of partner visa applications, these relationship pillars encompass aspects such as financial aspects of your relationship, social aspects of your relationship, the nature of your household, and the mutual commitment to each other. They collectively provide a comprehensive view of your relationship and are vital for meeting the Department of Home Affairs' criteria for partner visa approval.

By assessing evidence of these four foundational elements collectively, the Department of home affairs gains a comprehensive view into the nature of your relationship and makes an assessment whether a relationship is genuine and ongoing relationship.

FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Evidence you and your partner share financial matters could include:

  • joint mortgage or lease documents;

  • joint loan documents for major assets like homes, cars or major appliances;

  • joint bank account statements;

  • household bills in both names.

THE NATURE OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD

Evidence you and your partner share domestic household could include:

  • a statement about how you share housework;

  • household bills in both names;

  • mail or emails addressed to you both;

  • documents that show joint responsibility for children;

  • documents that prove your living arrangements.

SOCIAL ASPECTS OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Evidence you and your partner share social aspects of your life could include:

  • supporting statements about your relationship from your friends and family;

  • joint invitations or evidence you go out together;

  • proof you have friends in common;

  • proof you have told government, public or commercial bodies about your relationship;

  • proof you do joint sporting, cultural or social activities together;

  • proof you travel together.

THE NATURE OF YOUR COMMITMENT

Evidence you are committed to a long-term relationship with each other could include evidence you:

  • have knowledge of each other’s background, family situation or other personal details;

  • have combined your personal matters;

  • stay in touch when apart;

  • are not related by family;

  • are listed as beneficiaries in each other’s wills.

Frequently Asked Questions about partner visas

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE EVIDENCE OF ALL THE 4 PILLARS?

Not having enough relationship evidence in certain areas doesn't automatically mean your visa application will be refused. It's common for couples to be stronger in some aspects than others. Think of it like balancing scales – strong evidence in three areas can compensate for a weaker one.

For instance, even without a shared bank account or significant financial proof, you could still qualify for a partner visa if your commitment, social ties, and household evidence are strong. Similarly, if circumstances caused extended separations or limited living together, strong financial, social, and household evidence can still make you eligible.

When dealing with evidence gaps, consulting an experienced immigration lawyer is crucial as we understand how Departmental policy guidelines influence decisions on the four pillars can offer invaluable expertise on how to strengthen your partner visa application. Remember, focusing on balanced evidence across all pillars increases your chances of a successful partner visa application.

HOW MUCH EVIDENCE DO I NEED FOR A PARTNER VISA APPLICATION?

There is no clear answer as to exactly how much relationship evidence is required for your partner visa application. Each relationship is different and each partner visa applications is evaluated individually.

If you're worried about lacking evidence in certain areas (e.g. not enough household evidence if you have not lived together for a long time or limited financial evidence if you do not have joint bank account), then it is important to plan how to make all four pillars of relationship evidence stronger.

At ZEST LEGAL, we advise our clients to have having a balanced amount of relationship evidence across all aspects of the four pillars. If you're unsure about how to best present evidence of your relationship or you are concerned about its sufficiency, then get in touch with us. We can assess your chances of partner visa success and help you create a strong plan to put forward the best partner visa application.