An Australian citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring your family members to live with you permanently in Australia? The Australian Family Union Visa might be the solution you need. This type of visa allows eligible family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live and work in Australia permanently. In this article, we will explore the visa class, eligibility requirements, the application process, and the processing time for the Australian Family Union Visa.
Visa Class
The Australian Family Union Visa falls under the category of Family Visas. There are several sub-classes of Family Visas, including:
- Partner Visas (subclass 820/801 and 309/100)
- Child Visas (subclass 101, 102, 117, and 802)
- Parent Visas (subclass 103, 804, 173, 143, and 864)
- Other Family Visas (subclass 114, 115, 116, 835, 836, and 837)
The Australian Family Union Visa falls under the Other Family Visas category and is further divided into two subclasses:
- Subclass 461: New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) Visa
- Subclass 836: Carer Visa
- In this article, we will focus on Subclass 461 Visa.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Australian Family Union Visa, you must be one of the following:
- A partner or spouse of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- A dependent child of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- A parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is settled in Australia and is willing to sponsor you
- A relative of an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is settled in Australia and is willing to sponsor you
- In addition to the above criteria, you must also meet the following requirements:
Relationship Requirements
For partners or spouses: you must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your Australian citizen or permanent resident partner or spouse
For dependent children: you must be under 18 years old, or between 18 and 23 years old and dependent on your Australian citizen or permanent resident parent, or over 23 years old and unable to work due to a disability
For parents: you must be the biological or adoptive parent of your Australian citizen or permanent resident child and meet the balance of family test
For other relatives: you must be a relative of your Australian citizen or permanent resident sponsor and meet the balance of family test
Sponsorship Requirements
Your Australian citizen or permanent resident sponsor must be willing to provide you with accommodation and financial support for the first two years of your stay in Australia.
Health and Character Requirements
You and your family members who are included in your visa application must meet health and character requirements. This may involve a medical examination and a police clearance certificate.
Application Process
To apply for the Australian Family Union Visa, you must follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather Documents
You must provide various documents to support your visa application. These may include:
- Your passport
- Your sponsor’s proof of citizenship or permanent residency
- Evidence of your relationship with your sponsor
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination results
- Proof of financial support and accommodation
Step 2: Lodge Your Application
You can lodge your application online or by mail. You must pay the visa application charge when you lodge your application.
Step 3: Wait for a Decision
The processing time for the Australian Family Union Visa varies depending on various factors, such as the number of applications received and the completeness of your application. The current processing time for the Subclass 461 Visa is around 12 to 15 months.
