Can I Include My Parents in a Partner Visa Application?

Why can parents not be included in a partner visa application?

Parents cannot be included in a partner visa application because the regulations limit secondary applicants to members of the applicant's family unit, and for a partner visa that means dependent children and, in some cases, their children. A parent who depends on the applicant financially still does not become a member of the family unit for this purpose. The partner visa is built around the couple, as our complete guide to partner visas explains.

How can my parents visit Australia while my partner visa is processed?

Parents can visit Australia while a partner visa is processed by applying for their own visitor visa, which is a separate application assessed on its own merits. The parents must show that they intend a genuine visit and meet the health and character requirements for that visa. Their visit can also add to the relationship evidence, because time spent with the couple's families shows that the relationship is known and accepted.

Can my parents attend our wedding in Australia?

Parents can attend a wedding in Australia if they hold a visa that allows them to travel here, usually a visitor visa applied for well before the wedding date. Invitations and evidence of the wedding arrangements can support the visitor visa application. The presence of both families at the wedding is also useful social evidence for the partner visa, as our article on partner visa relationship evidence explains.

Can my parents live in Australia permanently later?

Parents may be able to live in Australia permanently later through the parent visa categories, which have their own sponsorship requirements, balance of family test and long queues. A partner visa holder usually needs to be settled in Australia before sponsoring a parent, so this is a long-term plan rather than something that runs alongside the partner visa. Our article on the partner visa citizenship pathway explains how permanent residence and citizenship follow the partner visa.

Can my parents help my partner visa in other ways?

Parents can help a partner visa by providing Form 888 statements describing what they know of the relationship, which are supporting statements, not statutory declarations. Parents who have met the couple, hosted them or helped with the wedding are often well placed to describe the relationship. Our article on Form 888 witness statements explains who can provide one, although a parent's statement carries most weight when it describes events the parent saw personally.

What if we live with my parents?

Living with parents does not prevent a partner visa, but the couple need to show that they live together as a couple within that household, with their own shared responsibilities and finances. Many couples live with family for cultural or financial reasons, and the Department accepts this when it is explained. Our article on the partner visa while living with parents explains how to present the household evidence.

How does My Migration Lawyers advise families on parents and partner visas?

My Migration Lawyers advises families on parents and partner visas by keeping the partner visa on track first and then explaining the realistic options for the parents, so that no application for a parent puts the couple's own application at risk. The firm checks how the parents' visits and statements fit the relationship evidence. Couples can speak with our partner visa lawyers or read our page on the Subclass 820 visa.