What Happens After I Lodge a Partner Visa?

What happens in the first days after lodging a partner visa?

In the first days after lodging a partner visa, the applicant receives an acknowledgement of the application in ImmiAccount and the sponsor is invited to complete the sponsorship. The acknowledgement shows the application has been received, but it does not by itself confirm that every validity requirement was met. Our article on the partner visa online application through ImmiAccount explains the lodgement steps and what the acknowledgement means.

Will I get a bridging visa after lodging?

An onshore applicant who held a substantive visa when lodging a valid Subclass 820/801 application will usually be granted a Bridging Visa A, which comes into effect when the substantive visa ends. Applicants who did not hold a substantive visa at lodgement are in a different position and may receive a different bridging visa. Our article on the partner visa bridging visa explains each type, and our article on partner visa bridging visa work rights explains how to check work permission.

When do health examinations and police certificates happen?

Health examinations and police certificates are completed after lodgement, either when the applicant arranges them or when the Department asks for them. The Department issues the health examination referral through ImmiAccount, and police certificates are needed for countries where the applicant has lived for the required period. Our articles on the partner visa medical examination and partner visa character requirements explain both steps.

Will the Department contact me during processing?

The Department may contact the applicant during processing to ask for more documents under section 56, to invite comment on adverse information under section 57, or to arrange an interview. Each request has a short deadline that is strictly applied. Our article on the partner visa section 56 request explains how to respond.

What do I need to tell the Department while I wait?

While waiting, the applicant must tell the Department about relevant changes in circumstances, such as a new address, a new child, a change in the relationship or new criminal charges. Updated relationship evidence can also be uploaded as it becomes available. Our article on partner visa change of circumstances explains how to report changes.

What happens when the temporary visa is decided?

When the temporary visa is decided, a Subclass 820 or Subclass 309 is granted or the application is refused with written reasons. A grant starts the period before the permanent stage, which is generally assessed two years after lodgement. A refusal usually carries a right of review at the Administrative Review Tribunal within a strict time limit. Our page on partner visa refusals explains the review process.

How does My Migration Lawyers manage a partner visa after lodgement?

My Migration Lawyers manages a partner visa after lodgement as the authorised recipient, so Department correspondence comes to the firm and every deadline is tracked. The firm arranges health and police steps at the right time, prepares responses to any requests and keeps the relationship evidence current until the decision. Couples who have lodged on their own can ask our partner visa lawyers to take over the application.