Hutcho

If you have never lived together, you have virtually no hope of being accepted as her de facto partner. There is considerable flexibility when live in partners are separated for work or travel reasons or if the law in their country prevents cohabitation but as a general rule, they must have established a home together and must be able to prove it.

http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/35relationship.htm Teh One-Year relationship requirement for de facto couples. On a 457 visa, only 6 months is required.

 

The fact that you have an Australian citizen brother makes not the slightest difference.

Thanks a lot for your reply Ozmaniac, sadly I suspected that would be the case. Serious rethink needed I guess.

Hi, I'm struggling to find definitive information on the topic of de facto partners acquiring visas.

Basically, my girlfriend plans to move to Australia to be a nurse, so she'll have no problem getting a visa all being well however, we're wondering if I'll be able to join her.

I'm 35 (so no possibility of working holiday visa) and my occupation isn't on the desired skills list so I'd have to apply as her de facto partner I believe - unfortunately though we don't yet live together. We've already been together over a year and have some proof of that but no joint bank accounts or anything associated with living together.

Is it absolutely necessary to live together to gain such a visa or is there some flexibility? Does the fact that my brother is now an Aussie citizen with a family etc help in any way? I can't seem to see an exact answer on the official immigration website and they don't reply to email questions.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer