TheWayOfThePony

It is one document at a time. They have different sections (evidence of the couple living together, financial aspects of the relationship, social aspect of the relationship) and you upload your documents under whatever category fits best. You don't need to upload documents for each category, as some are not relevant to your particular visa. There is also no need to upload the same document twice just because it can fit two categories. Once is enough. Be aware that there a limit to the number of documents you can provide (100 on mine, perhaps less on other visas, but your immi account will tell you that), and also a size limit (each doc mus be under 5MB).

I went for the narrative angle myself. Didn't even consider bullet points! Might help make the statement more factual and easier for the CO to digest... If you do have a lot to say, I *think* you can write a separate statement (that elaborates on the four aspects of the relationship), and in the application form just write: "see attached statement" under each of the four sections. That's what I did for my 300 and my 820 anyway, didn't seem to be a problem.

I lived at a few addresses in the UK before applying for my Aussie visa and I listed them all, yes. My understanding is that you need to provide all addresses you lived at during the given time period, even if you were there for 6 months only. Holidays homes/Airbnbs don't count obviously!

Congrats!! that is fast, and encouraging for the rest of us. Enjoy your PR (and not collecting receipts and movie tickets anymore )

Yeah, sounds to me like you two are doing the reasonable, level-headed thing by living with family and saving up for a future together... and it was not so long ago in the Western culture that generations were living together under the same roof after all! I would think that explaining that would be okay but... But I'm not an agent so I can't say what will or won't float the Immigration boat, and I wouldn't want to mislead you by saying "yes, it's fine for sure" or "no, it defo won't work"... best of luck!!

Hello! I'm finishing my 801 application (I obtained my 820 in 2018) and I'm ticking off the list of documents to provide. My question concerns the stat decs. Now with my 820 my partner (the sponsor) and I each wrote a stat dec in "free form": we did not use a form or template, we just wrote a letter explaining the relationship and focusing on the four aspects - social, financial etc - that Immigration requires. But I see there is an official form for the sponsor (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/stat_dec_sponsor.pdf) and I also read somewhere that a stat dec is not required for the applicant for a 801 (is that true?). My question is: is it better to ask my partner to fill the form rather than writing his stat dec, and do I not need to fill mine? Thank you very much!

I would wait until the relationship is dissolved to be on the safe side. The process shouldn't be too long?

I think a clear timeline (i.e. "August 2018: this" and "September 2019: that") would make it easier to work out if you meet the requirement! The main thing about the defacto partner visa is that you need to prove you have been living like a married couple for +12 months and I can't really work out if you have. You seem to have pretty good evidence to back up the fact you guys have been living together even though your name isn't on a lease, but it'll depend if you meet that 12 months requirement. And also if "second-hand" evidence (i.e. text messages implying you live together) is as good as "prime" evidence (i.e. a tenancy with both names on it) in the eyes of Immigration. That I have genuinely no idea. About finances: you don't have to be on equal footing (with both working, with a joint account etc). They only want to know whatever arrangements you have (with evidence to back it up). If you're the sole bread winner and you support her financially by mutual consent, then fine, just say that, and provide bank statements showing that you transfer money so she can buy groceries. The fact you don't have a joint account makes sense if only one is earning money, so I wouldn't worry, but do spell it out in your statement so if the case officer does wonder about it, then the answer's there (as a rule, remember that your case officer doesn't know you, so make their life easier and spell. Things. Out. ) . You are each other's beneficiary, which is good evidence! I take it you're not considering a Prospective Marriage Visa?

I'm about to lodge mine, I'll let you know how long it takes! I wonder if I need to upload another form 80? We travelled once overseas but we state that in the declaration and provide plane tickets, otherwise there is no difference from when we applied for 820.

I would give evidence of you two being in touch during the years preceding your wedding (emails, photos..). Anything to prove your relationship is genuine and not a scam.

How is Immigration being rude here? Because they flagged you for fraud? Seriously?

We were in a long distance relationship and used the following as evidence: plane tickets and hotel bookings to show we were meeting as often as we could afford; photos of us, and with friends and family to show we were socially accepted as a couple; screencaps of emails and text messages, with date showing up, to show regular contact. That kind of thing. The crucial difference is that we were applying for a PMV, with less evidence required than for a full partner visa. I'm curious, since you have an agent who must have advised you on the best course of action - what argument did they give you in favour of a partner visa vs. a PMV?

Yeah I get that there are abuses and scams but that's probably the case for any type of visa. That aside it's a bit unrealistic to expect people who come and live here for 2-4 years not to form actual, meaningful relationships... I wouldn't talk about "weak visa rules" when it comes to the partner visa either, it has a notoriously big proportion of rejections!

Already got mine but thought I'd add my timeline for statistics purposes Applied in February 2018 (on the back of a PMV) Granted June 2018. Now waiting for my 801 eligibility! Good luck to all!!

A prospective marriage visa is the way to go for long distance relationships as it doesn't require the living together/paying bills type of evidence. Do note that this is an OFFSHORE visa, you'll have to apply from the UK and while you can go visit Australia while you wait, you will need to be back in the UK when the visa is ready to be granted (they will notify you in advance). You will still have to provide at the very minimum - evidence that you've met: photos together, bookings together (hotel, flights etc) - evidence you are in a continuous relationship: phone log, screenshots of emails or chats (just to show you're in regular contact, no need to provide all correspondence! ) - evidence you are considered a couple by your social circle: photos with families and friends, statements from friends - evidence you are commited to a future together: proof you intend to marry (definitely find a celebrant and have a wedding date set, even if the date changes later), discussions about the future (buying house), life insurance, will, etc - I'm not an expert but I think you need the official paperwork from family court that you have permission from the dad to relocate your child. If you can't afford an agent to look after your case, I would most definitely at least have a consultation with one for advice. Some do it for free, some for a small fee, but when a case is not 100% straightforward it's best to get qualified advice. Partner visas are notoriously tricky, with a lot of rejection, and there are so many variables I wouldn't just get advice from a forum, where everybody's case is different and what worked for me might not work for you. Just make sure the agent is registered (MARA). There is a dedicated thread on prospective marriage, to give you an idea of waiting time etc :

I was wondering - you don't have work or study rights but would you be eligible for volunteering? Heaps of places rely on volunteers and it's a great way to get out of the house, meet people and help the community! It also provides some local experience & contacts, which can prove very useful when it's time to apply for jobs.

Thank you @wrussell , that's very helpful

Hello! I hold a 820 visa and in 6 months it'll be 2 years since I applied for it - meaning I can move on to the 801/permanent stage. My question is, when do I start uploading my evidence? Do I do it in one go in 6 months? Or can I start now, adding bills, pictures etc as I go for the next 6 months? I also understand it's a continuation of 820 so I don't need to upload the proof of ID, marriage certificate and everything else I provided for my 820 (bills, tenancies etc), is that correct? Thank you

You can't be on the dole or get any benefits on a partner or prospective marriage visa (bar medicare which you can get on a partner visa). This is something that comes with the permanent residency. And unless this has changed, they don't ask for the sponsor's proof of employment or wages.

First of all, congrats Now, question 1 - you have to treat 820 as a new application, so you have to re-upload all your PMV evidence (proof of ID, chats, pictures, police checks etc), plus all the new evidence: bills, wedding certificate, wedding pictures, new friends statements etc Not sure about question 2 as I applied for my 820 a week before my PMV expired!

I think we can all understand the need to reunite with your partner as fast as possible but do give the PMV some thoughts. It is an extra step yes, but if your relationship is "recent" (a year or two old rather than, say, a decade) it might be the better option as the criteria are a bit more attainable (no need to live together etc), and unlike the visitor visa/820 it is a 100% legal path. Some people have done the visitor + 820 thing and succeeded, but I have also read stories of people being turned back at the airport. So there is a risk. The PMV adds some extra time, true, but preparing a move to Australia takes time and those months waiting for the grant really fly by!

It is confusing! Could be read as two documents though? 1 being evidence of your marital status and 2 being your partner's docunent from the RBDM Both my partner and I (a then-UK resident) were divorced (from other people! Not each other! ) when we applied, so we supplied our decree nisi, but not sure what to do if you're not divorced...

Nothing wrong with selfies as they prove you have met in person, but I think it's good to also have a few pictures of you and your partner with friends and family so you can prove you are accepted as a couple by your loved ones

I remember a blog post about the 820 that was really handy, I'll try and find it for you - it was very handy to see what documents I needed to provide. 820 is a separate application from 300 so you'll need to provide the same evidence again (ID, photos, shared bills, etc etc), plus evidence that you got married (photos, invites, receipts rom venue etc, and most importantly the wedding certificate- apply for it as soon as you can after the ceremony, it can take weeks to get it) and that you now live together permanently (bills, tenancy etc). You are entitled to medicare, yes, because although 820 is technically a temporary visa it is "packaged" with a permanent one (801). I used an agent for my 300 but not for my 820 as our case was straightforward. It's not hard, but you need to be thorough and organised.

Depending on where you are in your relationship, you may want to look into the Prospective Marriage Visa (visa 300). You don't need to be living together to qualify (hence why long distance couples often go down that route), but you do need to want to get married! Once granted you have nine months to move to Australia, get married, and apply for a partner visa (at a discounted rate, mercifully - a PMV fee is around $7000, the subsequent partner visa fee is around $1300).