Information about Same-Sex Partner Visas in Australia
At Dowson Turco Lawyers, we often receive questions about immigration visas in Sydney for same-sex couples. The following information answers many of these frequently asked questions and provides information about Sydney immigration lawyers for those who need assistance completing the process or encounter problems with their applications.
Same-Sex Partner Visas
Before 2009, individuals who wanted to live in Australia with their same-sex partners needed to apply for an interdependency visa. However, that subclass of visas ended with the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – General Law Reform) Act 2008. This change in legislation was designed to prevent discrimination between heterosexual de facto relationships and same-sex de facto relationships in migration law. That means that same-sex partners can now obtain partner visas – there is no separate visa type for these couples.
To be eligible for a partner visa, you must meet specific criteria required by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. These requirements include being over 18 years of age, meeting character and health requirements, and showing evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing as well as proof of joint finances.
Another requirement is that you and your partner must have been in a de facto relationship for at least one year before lodging your application. However, certain exceptions to this rule exist. For example, depending on your location, you may be able to register your relationship formally, or you may be able to demonstrate special circumstances that allow the 12-month rule to be waived – such as sharing guardianship of a child. The evaluate these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Find Sydney Immigration Lawyers at Dowson Turco Lawyers
Applying for a partner visa is a complicated, time-consuming, and costly process. Application fees have increased significantly, making it more critical than ever to apply the first time correctly. There is no reason to believe that the cost of Sydney immigration visas will decrease and, in fact, these costs may continue to rise steadily as they have been for several years. That means that the smartest possible move is to apply once and get it right, avoiding having to repeat the process.
If you are unsure about which visa to apply for or your eligibility, immigration lawyers in Sydney can help. At Dowson Turco Lawyers, it’s our number-one goal to provide the LGBT community with the legal assistance they need and ensure that their rights are upheld through every stage of the legal process. At DTL, we can provide you with a highly competent immigration lawyer to help you navigate the visa application process, making sure that you comply with the law to avoid delays and ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout the process. We can also aid in the areas of family law, property, commercial, employment, criminal, wills and estates, and more.
If you believe you have had a visa denied based on your gender identity or sexuality, or if you need assistance with any other legal matters, contact DTL at once to discuss the details of your case and how we can help.