For partner visa new rules are on the way. The Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016 has passed 28/11/2018. With others, a prior approval of a sponsor BEFORE a valid application is lodged.
This introduce a sponsorship framework for the sponsored family visa program. The proposed changes will:
-Separate sponsorship assessment from the visa application process
-Require the approval of persons as family sponsors before any relevant visa application are made
-Impose statutory obligations on persons who are or were approved as family sponsors and provide for enforceable sanctions if such obligations are not satisfied.
-allow the Minister to refuse a sponsorship application and cancel and/or bar a family sponsor where inappropriate use of the program or serious offences are detected, especially those involving violence and
-Improve the sharing of personal information between parties to the application and the program more generally.
Especially about the sponsorship;
Current arrangement is that the ‘sponsorship approval is dealt with as part of the visa approval process, treating the sponsor and the visa applicants essentially as joint parties to the same application. Sponsorship is part of the decision to grant or not grant the visa. It is not a separate “decision”.
Proposed arrangement: Sponsorship should be approved BEFORE visa application.
Expectations
As long as the sponsorship approval can be done in a timely manner and no concerns about character issues with sponsor. It looks ok SO need to prepare Partner visa well in advance to get the sponsorship approval BEFORE you lodge partner visa.
Contact Storyoz if you need any help for partner visa NOW.