4 Ways to Get a Head Start on Your Visa Application

A partner or family visa application can be a long process. After we’ve had our initial discussion and decided on the most appropriate visa type and strategy for your circumstances, the application process begins.

Whilst we give our clients a personalised checklist of all the documents you need to provide for your situation, there are a few things that you can start preparing today. Here are 4 ways that you can be organised to make the first stage of your application process easier and faster.

Clear goals and vision

Understanding why you want to go down the path of a partner or family visa application and what you hope to achieve should be your very first step in your visa journey. Find out why it’s important to understand your goals before starting the visa application process.

Once everyone is on the same page, you can approach the preparation stage of your visa application in a clear and confident way. It also allows us to figure out the best visa and strategy to get the desired outcome for your family, within the timeframe you’re looking for.

Identity Documents

Proving that you are who you say you are can be harder than you think! As part of any visa application process you will need to provide some standard identity documents. The more information that you can provide us regarding your identity, the better.

In some circumstances we will need extra documentation to provide a trail of name or relationship changes. Knowing what these are and having them at hand will help to make the process easier for everyone involved.

All documents need to be clear, coloured scans or certified copies of original documents. Have a think about all the official documents that could prove who you are. Some examples of what you can gather include:

• Full birth certificate
• Identity page of your passport and pages with entry/exit stamps for Australia for all passports you currently hold as well as old or expired passports
• Marriage certificate – current and previous
• Change of name or adoption papers
• Divorce documents
• Death certificate of former partner

We often see couples where one or both are still legally married to someone else. Even if you have been separated for what feels like a lifetime, you may need to formally end the relationship. Whilst it may be painful for you to revisit this portion of your past when you’re ready to move on to a brighter future, it’s important that it’s finalised so that your future visa application can be prepared and submitted without issues.

Proof of genuine and ongoing relationship

If you are applying for a partner visa, then you will need to prove you have a genuine relationship with your partner. For defacto relationships, you’ll need to show co-habitation of at least 12 months prior to submitting the visa application. The more evidence that you can provide to prove your relationship, the better. All necessary documentation required will be listed on our checklist, but here’s an example of what you could use:

• Bank accounts whether they’re in joint names or each of your individual accounts
• Documents showing that you and your partner are living at the same address such as a mortgage, lease agreement, utility bills and other mail or letters
• Legal or financial documents showing your commitment to one another, such as wills, superannuation or life insurances policies with your partner listed as the beneficiary

You can also provide us with non-official evidence as well. Some ideas include:

• Photographs evidencing your relationship
• Greeting cards between you and your partner
• Invitations as a couple – weddings, birthdays or work events
• History of communication with one another such as text messages, emails, letters sent to one another or social media posts

It’s important for you to send us everything you can so that our registered agent can ensure that we choose the best evidence to support your unique visa application.

Your Story

Lastly, you need to be prepared to bring the honest and truthful account of your story to the application process. Even if you think that there’s something that has happened in your past that may affect your application, you need to tell us. It’s important that we are prepared with all aspects of your circumstances, so we can mitigate whatever the issue may be. It’s worst when an application is declined because of information we weren’t made aware of.

We may ask you some difficult questions but be assured that it’s only because we want the best outcome for you and to bring your visa application vision to life.

Trust that our years of experience will ensure that we collate the right documentation for your unique circumstances.

The visa application process can take upwards of 12 months. By being prepared with even the few documents outlined above, you can help to make the planning and preparation stage as smooth and efficient as possible.

If you’re looking to bring your family together in Australia with people who genuinely care about putting the best application together for your circumstances, contact Home of Visas here or apply for a free discovery call with our registered migration agent.