Introduction
Congratulations on reaching the final stage of your partner visa journey. After holding your provisional visa, either the Subclass 820 (onshore) or Subclass 309 (offshore), it is now time to prepare for the permanent partner visa, which is the crucial next step toward securing your future in Australia.
This second-stage assessment is designed to confirm that your relationship with your partner remains genuine and continuing. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist and everything you need to know to prepare a successful visa application, ensuring you can approach this final milestone with confidence.
Stage 2 Visa Process & Timeline
The Two-Year Rule & Application Eligibility
Eligibility for the second stage of your partner visa application is determined by a critical two-year waiting period. A common point of confusion is when this period begins. The two-year clock starts from the date you lodged your initial combined temporary and permanent partner visa application, not from the date your temporary visa (Subclass 820 or 309) was granted.
To illustrate, if you submitted your combined visa application on 1 October 2023, you will become eligible for the permanent visa assessment on 1 October 2025. You can find your original application submission date in your ImmiAccount to confirm your specific eligibility date. This is the point at which the Department of Home Affairs can begin the assessment for your permanent residency.
Department Invitations & Proactive Preparation
Around your two-year eligibility date, the Department of Home Affairs will typically send an email to your ImmiAccount inviting you to submit your Stage 2 documents. While you will receive this official notification, it is strategically advisable not to wait for it to arrive before you start preparing.
To ensure a smooth and efficient process, you should begin gathering and organising your updated evidence three to six months before your eligibility date, which will help you determine if you have enough evidence to lodge a partner visa application. This proactive approach allows you to:
- Prepare a complete and “decision-ready” application
- Help minimise potential delays once a case officer is allocated to your file
Exception for Long-Term Relationships
The standard two-year waiting period can be waived if you were already in a ‘long-term relationship’ at the time you lodged your initial combined visa application. In these circumstances, the Department of Home Affairs may grant the temporary and permanent partner visas at the same time.
A long-term relationship is defined as one that has continued for at least:
- Three years, or
- Two years, if you and your partner have a dependent child of the relationship
If you met these criteria at the time of your initial application, you may have already been granted your permanent visa.
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Permanent Stage Document Checklist
Proving Financial Aspects & Commitments
To satisfy the financial aspect of your permanent partner visa application, you must provide evidence of your shared financial commitments and responsibilities. These documents should demonstrate that you and your partner are financially intertwined and have been since your temporary visa was granted.
Key documents to include are:
| Financial Document | Description & Evidence Required |
|---|---|
| Joint Bank Account Statements | Provide statements covering the entire two-year period, showing regular deposits from both partners and shared daily expenses (e.g., groceries, rent). |
| Shared Bills | Collect utility bills (e.g., electricity, gas, internet) that are in both names or addressed to the shared home. |
| Joint Assets and Liabilities | Include documents for major assets owned together (e.g., car, property) and evidence of joint loans, mortgages, or shared credit cards. |
| Superannuation Nominations | Supply forms showing that each partner has nominated the other as a beneficiary for their respective superannuation funds. |
Demonstrating a Shared Household
This area of your visa application requires you to prove that you share a household and domestic life. The evidence should paint a clear picture of your living arrangements and how you divide responsibilities as a couple.
Essential evidence includes:
| Household Evidence | Description & Details |
|---|---|
| Joint Lease or Mortgage | A copy of the current lease agreement or mortgage documents showing both partners’ names. |
| Mail Addressed to Both Partners | A collection of official mail from various institutions (e.g., banks, government) addressed to both partners at the same address, spread across the two-year period. |
| Statements on Household Chores | Details included in both personal statements explaining how domestic duties like cooking, cleaning, and shopping are divided. |
Evidencing the Social Aspects of Your Relationship
You must demonstrate that your relationship is publicly recognised by friends, family, and your community. This evidence confirms that you present yourselves as a committed couple in your social lives.
To prove the social aspects, consider providing:
| Social Evidence | Description & Requirements |
|---|---|
| Recent Photos | A selection of photos from the last two years showing the couple at social gatherings, on holidays, and with family/friends, with brief captions (dates, locations, names). |
| Joint Travel Itineraries | Documents such as flight tickets, accommodation bookings, and travel insurance policies in both names. |
| Joint Invitations | Copies of invitations to weddings, parties, or other social events that were addressed to the couple. |
| Updated Form 888s | A minimum of two new statutory declarations (Form 888) from Australian citizens or permanent residents attesting to the ongoing relationship. |
Evidencing the Nature of Your Commitment
This final pillar focuses on proving your long-term commitment to a shared life. The documents should show your future plans and the emotional support you provide to one another, solidifying the nature of your commitment since the first stage of your partner visa.
Key documents include:
| Commitment Evidence | Description & Key Elements |
|---|---|
| Updated Wills | Copies of wills that name each partner as a beneficiary, serving as strong evidence of long-term intentions. |
| Evidence of Future Plans | Details in personal statutory declarations about shared goals, such as buying a home, starting a family, or career plans. |
| Communication Records | If any time was spent apart, a sample of communication (e.g., call logs, message history) showing contact was maintained. |
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Crafting Compelling Statutory Declarations
Structuring Your Applicant & Sponsor Statements
Both the applicant and the sponsor must provide new, detailed statutory declarations for the second stage of the partner visa application. These personal statements are crucial as they provide the narrative context for all the documentary evidence you submit, detailing how your relationship has evolved since the temporary visa was granted.
To ensure your statements are clear and cover all necessary aspects, it is highly effective to structure them with headings that align with the four pillars of a genuine relationship. Consider using the following structure:
| Suggested Section Heading | Content to Include |
|---|---|
| Our Life Since the Provisional Visa Grant | Describe significant milestones and how your commitment has deepened. |
| How We Share Our Finances | Detail your joint financial arrangements and management of day-to-day expenses. |
| Our Household and Daily Life Together | Explain your living arrangements and how you share domestic responsibilities. |
| Our Social Life as a Couple | Discuss how you present as a couple to friends, family, and the community. |
| Significant Events in the Past Two Years | Detail major life events, such as moving, career changes, or mutual support through challenges. |
| Our Future Plans Together | Articulate your shared vision and long-term goals to show the enduring nature of your commitment. |
Securing Strong Form 888 Witness Statements
You must provide at least two new statutory declarations from supporting witnesses on Form 888. While two is the minimum, submitting four to six strong declarations from a diverse range of people, such as family and friends, can be more effective.
A strong Form 888 provides specific, personal observations rather than generic statements. Witnesses should be Australian citizens or permanent residents who know both you and your partner and can comment on the development of your relationship.
Key elements of a compelling Form 888 include:
| Component of Form 888 | Description |
|---|---|
| How the witness knows the couple | An explanation of when and how they met both partners and the frequency of their contact. |
| Why they believe the relationship is genuine | Specific, personal examples the witness has observed (e.g., interactions at family events, holidays). |
| Proof of identity | Certified proof of the witness’s Australian citizenship or permanent residency (e.g., passport, birth certificate), which is mandatory. |
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What to Expect After Lodging Stage 2 Documents
Step 1: Lodgement & Acknowledgement
Once you have submitted your Stage 2 documents through your ImmiAccount, you will receive an immediate, automatic confirmation. This acknowledgement confirms that:
- The Department of Home Affairs has received your information
- Your application has moved into the processing queue
It is important to save this confirmation for your records, as it marks the official start of the final assessment phase for your permanent partner visa.
Step 2: Initial Assessment & The Wait
After lodgement, your application will be placed in a queue to be assigned to a case officer for an initial assessment. This waiting period can vary significantly, and it is common to not hear anything for several months, which often leads applicants to wonder if patience is a virtue when waiting for your permanent partner visa grant.
Processing times for the permanent stage can range from a few months to over a year. It is essential to set realistic expectations for this waiting period. Current estimates suggest that processing times can be anywhere from 8 to 26 months from your eligibility date, depending on:
- The complexity of your case
- The Department’s current workload
Step 3: Responding to Information Requests (RFIs)
During the assessment, a case officer may issue a Request for Further Information (RFI) if they require additional documents or clarification. It is crucial to respond to any RFI promptly and completely to avoid unnecessary delays in your visa processing.
You are typically given 28 days to provide the requested information. Failing to respond within this timeframe or providing an incomplete response can:
- Pause the assessment of your application
- Significantly extend the overall processing time
Step 4: The Grant Notification
The final step in the process is receiving the grant notification for your permanent partner visa. This confirmation, often referred to as the “golden email,” will be sent to your ImmiAccount and officially confirms that your Subclass 801 or Subclass 100 visa has been granted.
This email marks the successful conclusion of your partner visa journey, granting you permanent residency in Australia.
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Conclusion
Successfully navigating the second stage of your permanent partner visa requires proactive preparation and comprehensive evidence to prove your relationship remains genuine and ongoing. This involves understanding the correct timeline, meticulously documenting the four pillars of your relationship, and crafting detailed statutory declarations to secure your permanent residency in Australia, the final step before becoming eligible for Australian citizenship.
To ensure your visa application is decision-ready and meets all departmental requirements, contact Moya Migration Law’s experienced Partner Visa lawyers in Adelaide for specialised guidance. Our team’s trusted experiencedise can help you confidently navigate this final, critical step and secure your future in Australia.
