Australian High Commission

Pakistan

High Commission address: Constitution Ave and Ispahani Rd, Diplomatic Enclave No. 1, Sector G-5/4, ISLAMABAD - Telephone: 8355 500 - Fax: 282 0112

Partner Migration – Frequently Asked Questions

This sheet provides information on matters that we are commonly asked about in relation to Partner migration applications.

How can I ensure that my application will be finalised as quickly as possible?
Before submitting your application, you should check that all relevant questions are answered, the supporting documents listed in the checklist are all attached and the Form 47SP is signed.

You will also need to provide us with an email address if you have one. This enables us to communicate with you quickly and efficiently.

If applying as a spouse, ensure that you have a valid marriage. You need to be aware of age limitations. If you are under 18 when you marry, your marriage may not be recognised as valid.

If you have a previous marriage, your divorce must be absolute before you re-marry. You must have a court-registered divorce. Statutory declarations about a divorce are not acceptable as evidence of a divorce.

Obtain your penal clearances before you lodge the application. You and any dependents aged 16 years or older must have these for all countries in which you have stayed for 12 months or longer in the last 10 years, even if you did not have a right of residence in that country. Form 47P, available from our website, will tell you how to get these. These are mandatory for all applications.

What do I need to say in my written statement about my relationship?

You must cover all key features of the relationship. A marriage ceremony alone is not a relationship. Examples of issues you should address are:

How and when you were introduced and met
What sort of marriage ceremony you had
Who participated in any marriage ceremony
Who knows about your relationship
Any shared commitments or assets
How you communicate when apart
What time you have spent living together, and if so, where and at what addresses
Whether you share the care of any children
Your future plans.

What do you need to know about any children I have included in my visa application?

You must provide us with:

Details of the mother and father for each child
Evidence of where those parents are living
Evidence of the full name and birth details for each child (birth certificate, school records, etc)
Evidence of how those children are related to you
Written permission for the child/ren to migrate if one, or both, of their parents is also not migrating to Australia.

When do I need to provide translations?

Translations must be provided for all documents that are not in English. You must provide a translation by a NAATI accredited translator. If translations are inaccurate in any way, or not from an accredited translator, it may result in delays with your application.

What if I use different names on different documents?

We must know about all of the names that you have ever used, or been known as. It is particularly important that you write down in your application any different names you may have used now or previously.

You must advise us if you had a different name before you were married.

If you do not tell us about your name changes, or about the different names that have been used, it will result in delays to your application.

What if I only use phone cards to talk to my spouse/fiancée/partner when we are apart?

Phone cards, by themselves, are not evidence of ongoing contact with your partner when you are separated.

Unless you have statements from the card company listing details of who you have called with the cards, then these should not be sent.

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