Australian Partner VISA Process - Chinese Applicant

[Deactivated] on 20/02/2016 - 20:18
Last edited 21/02/2016 - 10:28 by 1 other user

Hi guys,

I am currently on a student visa. I am living with my fiancée. We have been together for nearly 8 months. We have already registered a NSW Relationship certificate. We plan to submit my application for a Partner Temporary Visa (Subclass 820) in Sydney next month.

Quick questions.

1. How long does the processing approximately time take? I want some recent info, I know it ranges, but I am hoping for someone who has been in a similar situation recently to answer this. I know it says roughly 13 months, but if it is "assessment ready", I hear it may be much faster. Can anyone shed any light on to how faster "assessment ready" is and any differences between the two (i.e. "Assessment ready" and the normal method I guess).

2. How much would it cost? A am currently in Australia, so it will be an onshore application. I am a Chinese national.

Thankyou in advance,

Lucy

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  CheapandUsed on 20/02/2016 - 21:37

  Not sure if I can post a link to another forum but try Australia forum
  http://www.australiaforum.com/visas-immigration/

  They have much better information and there are a few immigration agents active there that might have better understanding of whats happening.

  I am aware of someone who applied onshore in July 2015 and was told that it won't even be looked at until August 2016, seems a long time of uncertainty.

  http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/801-
  Has the fee estimate. They usually change in July and new prices aren't announced until June, you can see the historic prices on the fees estimate page also, they have jumped up a massive amount over the last few years.

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  fozzie on 23/02/2016 - 16:49

  Takes ages, so be prepared. I was lucky to apply for visa in October 2012 offshore and it arrived.1 year later. I have heard that now takes much longer. Me and husband had been married for 13 years and 2 kids, but still took a long time to process.

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  Wallyt99 on 23/02/2016 - 19:36

  I know its more expensive now than it used to be… maybe $5000?

  you probably should go to a migration agent as they can help with the application process.

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  ashtonpereira on 07/03/2016 - 12:12

  Currently waiting on one for my partner. Cost us (for everything) approx $7500 (police checks, printing docs, actual visa costs, medical check up, etc.).

  We submitted in July 2015, and are still waiting. Hoping it gets done within 12 months, but were notified up to 15 months of waiting time.

  We also provided a lot more than the required amount of documentation to ensure no delays, and we were together for nearly 2 years prior as a de-facto couple.

  Let me know if you have any specific questions - by the way, we submitted solely online.

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    ashtonpereira on 07/03/2016 - 12:15

    Oh and to just clarify:

    • It was an onshore application.
    • It was assessment ready, with nothing else needing to be added since the day we paid for it and submitted it (although they give you the option to add extra things online).
    • They have given my partner a Bridging Visa A which allows her to basically stay in Australia and do essentially everything she would be entitled to do with the Partner Visa (we have been overseas and she even got a temporary Bridging Visa B).

    So even with the long 12+ month wait, I think we'd both agree that there's no real problem with it.

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      ashtonpereira on 07/03/2016 - 12:17

      And just for your benefit, if you guys aren't married you will be considered a de-facto relationship, so you have to abide by the 12-month relationship rule (with exceptions). This may cause delays if you have been together less, even though you are both going to get married.

      Why not wait until you both get married to satisfy that rule, and it might be a quicker application? (Or get a Prospective Marriage Visa if your student visa is running out).