News
Partner and graduate visa applicants don’t have to travel outside or into Australia to have their visa granted after changes to location requirements which have provided many Aussie relationships with greater flexibility.
Subclass 309 and 820 visas are temporary visas which applicants for partner visas receive while their permanent Partner visa is being processed.
In the case of the subclass 309 Partner (provisional) visa, applicants usually receive the permanent subclass 100 Partner (migrant) visa within 2 years.
The same processing time applies for the subclass 801 Partner visa (permanent), with applicants receiving a subclass 820 Partner visa (temporary) while waiting.
Applicants for the subclass 309 provisional visa previously had to be outside Australia to apply for and be granted the visa and applicants for the subclass 820 visa had to be inside the country.
The changes mean spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens who can demonstrate they are in a genuine relationship with a sponsor can be granted subclass 309 or 820 visas from inside or outside Australia.
The median processing times for these visas is 5 months for the subclass 820 and 10 months for the subclass 309. They both cost $A8,850, which covers the application for the permanent partner visa as well.
Subclass 309 applicants can now also apply for merits review in their own right, rather than having to use their sponsor.
This move is being interpreted by many as a fairer way to process Partner visas and is aimed at allowing victims of domestic violence better access to permanent visa options.
Applicants for the subclass 485 temporary graduate visa, which allows international students to live, work and study in Australia for up to four years after they have finished their course, can also now be granted the visa from inside or outside the country. There are four streams of the subclass 485 visa and they cost between $A745 and $A1,895 to apply.
The Partner visa is one of the most common pathways to permanent residency and the temporary graduate visa is also a popular option for migrants looking to start a new life down under.
The substantial cost associated with Partner visas in particular make it essential to contact and employ the services of a registered migration agent.
Easy Migrate is one of Australia’s oldest and most experienced agencies with a proven track record of securing visas for its clients.
Our qualified migration lawyers and agents bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and will make sure you receive the best advice to help you on your migration journey.