- Home
- About us
- Visas and migration
- Travelling to Australia
- Services for Australians
- Doing business with Australia
- Study in Australia
- Bilateral cooperation
- Media
- About Australia
- Events
Partner Migration Visa questions
What can I expect when I lodge my application?
Once the application is lodged your assigned Case Officer from the Visa and Immigration Office at the Australian Embassy Bangkok will write to you in acknowledgment that your application is received within 7 days. You will also be advised to provide further documents such as the police Clearance Certificate and to undertake health examination if required. You may also be requested to contact the Case Officer to make an appointment if an interview is required.
On receipt of any outstanding documentation, and if applicable, after an interview, your application will be considered against the related criteria of the visa class and you will be advised of the decision in writing. You may be asked for further documentation through out the processing of your visa.
Important: you should provide the requested information and documents within the time limit given and the due date is mentioned in the letter from the Embassy. After this date, a decision may be made on the available information on your file.
What if I wish to speak to someone to find out how our application is progressing?
When you lodge your application, you will be given a file number and the contact name and telephone number of the officer assessing your application. Due to the large number of application, the normal processing time for Partner Visa applications is 4 months. You should keep your inquiries to the minimum within this period after the application is lodged. You will be fully advised of any likely delays in processing your application for more than the 4 months.
What can I do to expedite processing of my application?
You should submit a complete application by referring to client information provided on the Embassy website about Partner Migration Visa and Booklet 1, Partner Migration.
Why can it take a number of months to process my application when I have already submitted all papers?
The processing of your application may be delayed for a number of reasons which may include character issues relating to previous immigration history or criminal convictions, child custody issues, or if further medical checks are required. You will be fully advised of the reason for any delays.
It has been some time since we lodged our application in Bangkok yet there are cases that are approved in much shorter periods. Why is our case taking so long?
The law and procedures are applied consistently for every application. However, each application presents different issues and that usually determines the processing time. Whilst not exhaustive, the following issues can affect the processing time to finalise an application:
• whether a complete application has been lodged
• whether all the requested documents have been promptly submitted
• whether the documents are in accordance with the format acceptable by the Embassy, for example, documents in another language have not been translated into English
• any past record of you previous visits to Australia;
• any past record of previous applications at this or another DIAC office.
We applied for a prospective spouse (fiancé) visa but are now contemplating marriage in Thailand. How does this affect the processing of the fiancée application?
It is possible to change a prospective spouse (fiancé) visa application to a spouse visa application if you marry after making the application. You should contact your case officer directly to inform us if you are planning to get married before the prospective spouse visa is finalised. After you have married, you must notify us in writing and send your marriage registration certificate and an English translation.
Note: You should not marry outside Australia after the fiancée visa is granted.
For more information, please see the department's website: http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/partners/prospective/300/obligations-applicant.htm
My spouse has children from a previous relationship but they are not migrating to Australia at this stage. Why are they required to undergo medical examination?
Under law, non-migrating dependents are required to undergo medicals. This is to ensure that the status of their health, should they wish to migrate later, would not compromise Australia's health care system.
I arrived in Australia from New Zealand a long time ago and have resided in Australia since then. Why am I now advised that I need to undergo health and character checks for my partner's application to be processed in Bangkok?
Under the Trans Tasman Agreement between New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand citizens did not need a permanent visa (some changes apply from 27/2/2001) to enter and stay in Australia. Therefore, they do not undergo health and character checks as all other migrants do. Whilst this has been acceptable for their own entry, sponsoring a person from a different country places certain obligations on them. In order to be consistent with sponsorships from persons who first obtain a permanent visa for Australia, New Zealand citizens are required to meet these requirements when they choose to sponsor someone.
people our business