Who Pays the Partner Visa Fee, the Applicant or the Sponsor?

Does it matter whether the applicant or the sponsor pays the partner visa fee?

It does not matter for validity whether the applicant or the sponsor pays the partner visa fee, because the requirement is that the charge is paid in full, not that a particular person pays it. A parent, relative or other person can also pay. What matters is that the payment succeeds at lodgement, which is shown in ImmiAccount once the application is submitted. Our guide to partner visa cost sets out the current charge and the other expenses to plan for.

Can paying the partner visa fee count as relationship evidence?

Paying the partner visa fee can form a small part of the financial evidence where it shows the couple sharing a major expense, but it carries little weight on its own. The Department looks at the overall pattern of financial arrangements, such as joint accounts, shared bills and support between the partners, rather than a single payment. Our article on partner visa financial evidence explains what carries weight.

What if we keep our money separate?

Couples who keep their money separate can still meet the financial aspect of the relationship, because the Department assesses the relationship as a whole rather than requiring a joint account. Separate finances should be explained, for example by cultural practice, earlier commitments or the way the couple shares costs in practice, such as one partner paying rent while the other pays bills. Our article on partner visa separate finances explains how to present this.

What happens if the partner visa fee payment fails?

If the partner visa fee payment fails, the application is not validly made, because the charge must be paid in full for the application to be valid. A failed payment can affect the lodgement date, which matters for applicants whose current visa is about to expire, because an onshore applicant must lodge while holding a substantive visa to avoid Schedule 3. Payment should be confirmed in ImmiAccount at the time of lodgement, and the payment receipt kept with the application records. Our article on the partner visa online application walks through the payment step in ImmiAccount.

Are there other costs besides the partner visa fee?

There are other costs besides the partner visa fee, including health examinations, police certificates and translations. These are paid to the providers by whoever arranges them, and either partner can pay them. The charge also tends to rise each 1 July, as our article on partner visa fee increases explains, so the timing of lodgement affects the total cost.

How can My Migration Lawyers help before you pay the partner visa fee?

My Migration Lawyers reviews the application before the fee is paid, so the couple does not pay a substantial charge on an application that is invalid, lodged under the wrong subclass or likely to be refused. The firm confirms which family members to include, because each adds a charge, and it acts on fixed professional fees agreed before work starts. Couples can speak with our partner visa lawyers before lodging.