Partner Visa changes: When will the changes commence?
This has been the question since the Family Violence Bill was passed in 2018. We discussed in an earlier post regarding how the changes would affect those who intends to apply for an onshore partner visa.
The Australian Government announced that reforms were going to be implemented to strengthen the integration outcomes of the Partner program by December 2021. The exact date the changes would begin has not yet been disclosed by the department of Home Affairs.
Migration Institute of Australia has speculated that a possible date that the changes may begin is the 13th of November 2021.
The speculated date was determined due to the Department of Home Affairs scheduling that some of the facilities will be down on the Immigration portal from 5 November until the 13 November 2021. The portal facilities being reduced usually indicates major system changes. Those who would like to apply for the Partner Visa (820) should consider applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
What are the proposed Partner Visa changes?
- Introducing an English language requirement for permanent resident sponsors and Partner visa applicants; and
- Applying the sponsorship framework set out in the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2018 to the Partner visa program. Whereby the sponsorship will need to be approved first before the partner visa can be submitted.
Time is of the Essence
This means that partner visa applicants with limited time remaining on their current visa will be required to either lodge another visa application that will allow them to stay in Australia legally or go offshore and remain overseas until the partner visa is granted.
What should you do?
- Those who are eligible for an onshore partner visa, should look to lodge the application as soon as possible so that the changes to the law would not affect their ability to obtain a bridging visa in time.
- If you are planning to lodge a partner visa onshore, then you really should proceed as soon as possible to avoid being affected by changes to eligibility requirements at the time of visa lodgement.
Get in touch with us to plan your partner visa out. Ensure you can validly remain in Australia whilst the visa is being processed and that you have the best chance of receiving a positive outcome!
For more information on the proposed changes click here.
Source: Migration Institute of Australia
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