Adding Girlfriend to 457 Visa Application

[ejonesy]

Hi all,

 

I'm in the fortunate position that the company I work for in the UK has agreed to transfer me to either the Melbourne or Sydney office on a 457 visa.

 

I'd like to add my girlfriend of 2 years as a de facto. I've been reading up on the forum and the Aus government website about the requirements, which seems to suggest you need to prove you have been together for over 12 months and are in a serious relationship.

 

http://www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/35relationship

 

Only slight stumbling block I can see is my girlfriend hasn't previously lived with me..............however it does state on the government site that

 

"the one year relationship criterion does not require the couple to have physically lived together for the entire 12 months, but rather to have been in a de facto relationship for that period."

she is moving in next week though :jiggy:

 

Along with a written statement about the history of our relationship, I plan on getting the following evidence ready in preparation:

 

 

 

• Photo's of holidays/events we've been to together in the 2 years
  
• Statements from our parents/friends confirming we are in a serious relationship
  
• Going to open a joint bank account that she'll pay her rent into, and I'll use that account to pay for food/bills
  
• Going to get her to change her correspondence address of her phone bill etc to my house
  

 

 

Does this seem reasonable?

 

Anything else you think would be useful to support the application?

 

Many thanks

 

Ed

[MaggieMay24]

It's not a requirement that you've lived together, but then you will need to provide enough other solid evidence to show your relationship was at the de facto level vs. just girlfriend/boyfriend. It may be worthwhile having a consultation with a migration agent either before or after you collect your evidence to get an assessment of whether you have enough for a strong application.

 

You may also need to answer why you haven't lived together. If it's a "reasonable" reason such as living/working in different cities, religious grounds, etc. then that may be acceptable to DIBP.

[VERYSTORMY]

You would need a very good reason why you have not lived together for at least 6 months. A de facto means that she is in effect your wife in all but the piece of paper.

[Bungo]

The 12 month requirement is for permanent visas, for a 457 they look for six months of history. I don't think moving in or opening a bank account the week before you apply is going to help very much, if at all. You would need to demonstrate why you are de facto - which means you are all but married - but not living together, as man and wife typically share a house. Reasons to be living apart might be due to work or lack of visa to live in each other's country. If you have been living within a few miles of each other, perhaps one with parents then it will be hard to justify.

[ejonesy]

ok t

[ejonesy]

thanks all for the reply!