Australian Embassy, China

澳大利亚驻华大使馆

Embassy address: 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, Beijing - Telephone: 5140 4111 - Fax: 5140 4204

1. Information ⇒ 2. Checklist ⇒ 3. How to Apply ⇒ 4. After You Apply ⇒ 5.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Partner Migration

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On this page: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the application fee?
2. What is the processing time?
3. Do I need to make an appointment to lodge my application?
4. I have questions regarding my application before I lodge it. What should I do?
5. How do I fill in the application form?
6. Should I apply for a permanent or temporary visa?
7. How much evidence should I submit to show my relationship with my sponsor? 8. Do statements from friends and relatives need to be on a Form 888?
9. If my sponsor doesn’t have two years tax returns, what should we provide?
10. Do I need to provide an Assurance of Support (AOS)?
11. If I have previously been married what kind of documents should I provide?
12. Am I eligible to sponsor my spouse if I hold a subclass 143 or 864 visa?
13. Where can I get single status certificate?
14. Are there any limitations on sponsoring someone if I have previously sponsored someone for Partner migration?
15. When do I undertake my health examination?
16. Will I meet the health requirements if I have an existing medical condition?
17. Does my child need to undertake medical checks if they are not migrating with me?
18. Can I undertake the medicals checks with my regular doctor?
19. Does my child require consent from both parents to migrate to Australia?
20. How is my second stage Partner migration application assessed?
21. Is there a Visa Application Charge payable for second stage Partner migration application?
22. How can I make a booking to attend one of your Partner migration information sessions?

Partner Migration Booklet 1

1. What is the application fee for a Partner Migration application?

Information regarding the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for Partner Category Visas can be found on the following webpage: Visa Application Charges

Instructions on how the VAC can be paid are also located on the link above.

2. What is the processing time for Partner visa applications lodged in China?

The current average Partner processing times in Shanghai and Guangzhou is within Departmental Service Standards.

Complete applications that include all documents outlined on the checklist may be finalised more quickly. Processing times are updated regularly and we recommend that you check our website for current information about the type of visa you are applying for:

http://www.china.embassy.gov.au/bjng/DIMA03010.html

3. Do I need to make an appointment to lodge my application?

Applications can be lodged in person or via mail.

Applying in person by appointment is the preferred method for lodging an application. Applications made in person can generally be processed more quickly than those lodged via mail because we can talk to you about your application and ask you any necessary questions straight away. Please ensure that before you make your application, it is a Complete Application.

If applying by mail, in most cases you will still be required to attend an in-person interview.

Please select the following link for detailed information regarding how to apply:

How to apply

4. I have a lot of questions regarding my application before I lodge it. What should I do?

You are also welcome to attend a Partner migration information session which are held regularly at the Shanghai and Guangzhou Visa Offices. These sessions cover topics including legislative requirements of Partner visas, evidence to include in your application, steps to lodging an application, average processing times and what happens at interview. Attendees also have an opportunity to ask questions of DIAC staff.

In order to attend one of the following sessions, please see the following link:

Partner migration information sessions.

5. How do I fill in the application form?

You need to complete all of the questions on the application form in English. If you are unable to read or write English, you can ask someone to assist you to complete the form. Please note that you need to declare any assistance you receive on the form. It is also open to you to seek the advice of a Registered Migration Agent.

6. Should I apply for a permanent or temporary visa?

When you apply for a Partner visa (Spouse), you are applying for both a temporary visa and a permanent visa on the same form.
• If you meet all requirements when your application is considered, including length of relationship, you will be granted a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
• If you meet all the criteria for the grant of the temporary visa, you will be granted a temporary Partner visa (subclass 309). This visa remains valid until a decision is made on your permanent visa, which is usually two (2) years after you initially applied for your Partner visa.
To be granted a permanent visa you need to demonstrate that you have been in a Long Term Relationship, meaning that:
• at the time of application, you have been in a married or de facto relationship with your partner for three (3) years or more , or
• at the time of application , you have been in a married or de facto relationship with your partner for two (2) years or more, and there are dependent children of your relationship

7. How much evidence should I submit to show my relationship with my sponsor?
Please refer to the comprehensive Partner Migration Checklist and the Partner Information Booklet 1 available on our websites, which details the types of evidence that you should provide in support of your application.

8. Do statements from friends and relatives have to be on a Form 888?

If the person making a statement regarding their knowledge of your relationship is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, then this statement should be made on Form 888. If you are outside Australia, and the person making the statement is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a written statement is acceptable.

9. If my sponsor doesn’t have two years tax returns, what should they provide?

We ask that evidence of your sponsor’s income is provided with your application, so that we can assess whether an Assurance of Support (AOS) is required. Providing tax returns from the last two years is an example of the type of documentation that can be provided. If this is unavailable, we will consider other types of supporting documentation that show your sponsor’s income and assets.

10. Do I need to provide an Assurance of Support (AOS)?

An Assurance of Support is sometimes requested prior to grant of a Partner visa, depending on your and your sponsor’s circumstances. This will be determined by your case officer.

If an Assurance of Support is required, your sponsor does not need to be your assurer. For details on who may give an Assurance of Support, please see the Centrelink website:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/factors/assurance_support.htm

11. If I have previously been married, what kind of documents should I provide?

You will need to provide documents showing that all previous marriages have ended (e.g. divorce or death documents). In China, either a court verdict or mutual divorce agreement or death certificate is acceptable evidence, however these must be notarised and include an English translation. Certified copies with English translation of either the court verdict or mutual divorce agreement are also acceptable.

12. Am I eligible to sponsor my spouse if I hold a subclass 143 or 864 visa?

Changes to sponsorship limitations came into effect from 1 July 2009.

If your subclass 143 or 864 visa was granted before 1st of July 2009 then you are eligible to sponsor your Partner for a Partner visa.

If your subclass 143 or 864 visa was granted on or after 1 July 2009, limitations apply. You will need to discuss your circumstances with our office, in order for us to determine if you can sponsor.

13. Where can I get single status certificate?

An Australian Certificate of Single Status (otherwise known as a Certificate of No Record of Marriage) indicating that you are not currently married may be obtained by mail from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you are normally a resident in Australia. Chinese authorities often require that this document be authenticated. A notarial service is available at your closest Australian Embassy or Consulate. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in China can issue a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI).

Please refer to the following webpage for further information:

http://www.shanghai.china.embassy.gov.au/shai/Marriage2.html

14. Are there any limitations on sponsoring someone if I have previously sponsored someone for Partner migration?

Yes. There are limits on the number of Partner visa sponsorships a person may make, and the time-frame in which they may be made:
Please refer to the following fact sheet for information on limitations on sponsorship

Fact Sheet 30 – Family Stream Migration: Partners

15. When do I undertake my health examination?

Soon after you lodge your application, you will be provided with information regarding undertaking health examinations. If you do not have an email address, we will need to send a letter to you through the local mail and your health examinations may be delayed.

Health examinations can no longer be undertaken before lodging an application.

16. Will I meet the health requirements if I have an existing medical condition?

We cannot assess whether you will meet Australia’s health requirements, in advance of your medical examination. You can discuss any issues you may have with your case officer after your application has been lodged.

17. Does my child need to undertake medical checks if they are not migrating with me?

Yes. All of your dependent children will need to undertake medical checks, whether they intend to migrate with you or not.

18. Can I undertake the medicals checks with my regular doctor?

No. Health examinations must be undertaken by an approved Panel doctor.

19. Does my child require consent from both parents to migrate to Australia?

Generally yes. We must be satisfied that each person who can lawfully determine where a child can live, consents to the grant of the visa. If a person, other than the main applicant appears to have custody/residency responsibilities (e.g. joint custody), we will require that person to provide a written statement (statutory declaration or equivalent) to the effect that they have no objection to the child travelling to and settling in Australia.

20. How is my second stage Partner migration application assessed?

Please refer to the following website information for details regarding Second Stage Partner migration application processing:

http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/_pdf/factsheet-partner-perm.pdf

21. Is there a Visa Application Charge (VAC) payable for second stage partner migration application processing?

There is no additional VAC payable for second stage partner migration application processing.

22. How can I make a booking to attend one of your Partner migration information sessions?

In order to attend a Partner migration information session, please book by e-mailing:

immigration.shanghai@dfat.gov.au if you will lodge your application in Shanghai

Visaenquiries.guangzhou@dfat.gov.au if you will lodge your application in Guangzhou

1. Information ⇒ 2. Checklist ⇒ 3. How to Apply ⇒ 4. After You Apply ⇒ 5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Back to Migrating to Australia

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