How Long Are Police Certificates and Health Checks Valid?

How long is a police certificate valid for a partner visa?

A police certificate for a partner visa is generally treated by the Department as valid for 12 months from the date it was issued. If the application is not decided within that time, the Department may ask for a new certificate from the same country. Certificates from countries that take a long time to issue should be ordered with this in mind. The 12-month figure is a general practice rather than a fixed rule in the regulations, and the case officer can ask for a newer certificate where there is reason to do so, for example after a long stay in another country. Our article on the partner visa AFP police check explains how the Australian certificate is obtained.

How long are partner visa health checks valid?

Partner visa health checks are generally treated by the Department as valid for 12 months. Where a decision is delayed beyond that, the Department may ask the applicant to complete the examinations again. A change in the applicant's health, a pregnancy or a new medical issue can also lead to further tests. Our article on the partner visa medical examination explains what the examinations involve.

Should I get police certificates and medicals before lodging?

Getting police certificates and medicals before lodging can make a partner visa application ready for decision sooner, but there is a trade-off, because both may expire if processing is long. Many applicants provide police certificates at lodgement and complete health examinations when the referral appears, so the results are fresh when the case officer begins assessment. Our partner visa checklist explains what to include at lodgement.

Do I need new police certificates for the permanent stage?

New police certificates are commonly needed for the permanent Subclass 801 or Subclass 100 stage, because that stage is generally assessed two years after lodgement and the earlier certificates will have expired. The Department usually tells the applicant what to provide when it invites them to complete the permanent stage. Our guide to the partner visa second stage documents lists the usual requests.

What if I cannot get a new certificate in time?

An applicant who cannot get a new police certificate in time should tell the Department before the deadline, explain the steps taken and provide evidence of the application to the police authority. A long wait for a certificate is a common source of delay, as explained in our article on partner visa processing delays. Character concerns that arise from a new certificate are a separate issue, covered in our article on partner visa character requirements.

How does My Migration Lawyers time police certificates and health checks?

My Migration Lawyers plans the timing of police certificates and health examinations around the stage of the partner visa and the likely processing period, so documents are current when the case officer needs them and clients are not paying for the same check twice without reason. When the Department asks for updated documents, the firm tells the client exactly which certificates are needed and from which countries. Couples can speak with our partner visa lawyers about planning these steps.