Is the Permanent Partner Visa Stage Included in the Application Charge?

Why does one charge cover both partner visa stages?

One charge covers both partner visa stages because the temporary and permanent visas are applied for together. When the couple lodges the Subclass 820 and 801 or the Subclass 309 and 100 application, the Department treats it as one combined application, and the charge paid at lodgement covers the whole process through to the permanent decision. Our article on the partner visa two-stage process explains how the stages connect.

What costs can arise at the permanent partner visa stage?

Costs at the permanent partner visa stage come from the documents the Department asks for, not from a further application charge. These can include new police certificates, translations of new documents and, in some cases, further health examinations. The couple pays these costs directly to the provider. The amounts are modest compared with the application charge, but police certificates from some countries take months to obtain, so they are best requested as soon as the Department asks. Our guide to partner visa second stage documents lists what is usually requested.

Is the charge different for Subclass 300 holders?

The charge is different for Subclass 300 holders who marry and then apply for the Subclass 820 and 801 in Australia. They pay a lower charge for that application, because they already paid the prospective marriage visa charge when they applied for the Subclass 300. That lower charge also covers both the temporary and permanent stages. Couples on this pathway can read about our work on the Subclass 300 visa.

What happens to the charge if the temporary partner visa is refused?

If the temporary partner visa is refused, the charge is generally lost for both stages, because the permanent visa cannot be granted without the temporary visa first. A new application requires a new charge, and an application for review carries its own fee. Review is often the better option where the refusal turns on evidence that can now be supplied, because the original lodgement date and charge are preserved if the Tribunal sends the matter back. Our article on partner visa ART fees explains the review cost.

Does a refusal at the permanent stage mean paying again?

A refusal at the permanent stage does not mean paying a new application charge if the refusal is reviewed and the Tribunal sends the matter back to the Department. If the review fails and the couple must lodge a fresh application, a new charge applies. Our article on partner visa second stage refusal sets out the options.

How can My Migration Lawyers help you get full value from the charge you pay?

My Migration Lawyers prepares the combined application so the single charge carries the couple all the way to the permanent visa, not just to the first decision. The firm builds a record of the relationship at lodgement that can be updated easily at the permanent stage, and it acts on fixed fees agreed in advance. Couples can speak with our partner visa lawyers before paying the charge.