Australia Lists 5 Conditions Under Which Foreign Spouse May Be Denied Permanent Residence

• Australia's Department of Home Affairs outlined five conditions that could block a foreign spouse from obtaining a permanent Partner visa (subclass 801)
• The conditions cover areas including the applicant's relationship status, health requirements, and outstanding government debt
• Applicants who already hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) must generally wait at least two years before being assessed for permanent residence

Australia's Department of Home Affairs has spelt out five specific circumstances under which a foreign spouse or de facto partner may be refused a permanent Partner visa, formally known as subclass 801.

The permanent Partner visa is the second and final stage of Australia's partner migration pathway.

Most applicants must already hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) and will typically have waited at least two years from the date of their original combined application before being assessed.

An exception applies to those who were in a long-term relationship at the time they first applied.

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Reasons a partner's visa may be denied

According to the Department, the first ground for refusal is the absence of a valid eligible visa.

Anyone who does not currently hold a subclass 820 or a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) will not qualify for consideration.

The second condition concerns the ongoing nature of the relationship. If the applicant is no longer in a spousal or de facto partnership with the person who sponsored them, the application may be refused.

The Department does acknowledge exceptions, specifically in cases where the sponsor has died or where the applicant has experienced domestic and family violence.

Health standards form the third basis for refusal. If the applicant or any member of their family unit fails to satisfy Australia's health requirements, the visa may be denied.

Notably, this obligation can extend to family members who have no intention of travelling to Australia.

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Outstanding financial debt to the Australian government represents the fourth condition.

Where the applicant or a family member owes money that has not been repaid or placed under a formal repayment arrangement, the Department may refuse the application.

The fifth condition is specific to applicants under the age of 18.

In such cases, the Department may withhold the visa if granting it is judged not to be in the best interests of the child.

The subclass 801 visa is intended for foreign nationals who are partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, and who wish to live in Australia permanently.

The Department of Home Affairs advises applicants who believe they satisfy all requirements to consult the official step-by-step guide on the Home Affairs website before proceeding with their application.

Source: YEN.com.gh