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A de facto or partner visa can be applied for by someone who wants to move to Australia and is not married to, but in a relationship with, someone who is already in the country. While the laws about applying for and being approved for such a visa may change over time, note some advice that you can follow about what not to do when considering such a visa for yourself or a partner, if you're not actually married.

1. Don't assume you or your partner won't be eligible

The partner or de facto visa can be applied to those who have been in a committed relationship for at least one year or longer. A de facto relationship visa may be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of your overall relationship, but don't assume that simply because you don't have a marriage certificate or have only been together for a mere year then you'll automatically be denied your visa application.

2. Don't dismiss proof of your relationship

As with not having a marriage certificate, you also don't need to assume that a shared lease or mortgage is the only proof that is accepted for a long-term, committed relationship. While this type of paperwork can be submitted to show that you and your partner have lived together for a year or longer, you can also provide shared bank account statements, utility bills, joint tax returns, and other such bills addressed to both of you at a shared address or which are in both your names. You may even be able to submit pictures showing proof of your long-term relationship.

3. Don't assume that one partner living in Australia will be seen as a separation

Even if one partner has been living in Australia for a length of time, this won't necessarily be seen as a separation between you. You may be able to provide itemized phone bills and printouts of your email inbox (not the emails themselves, but just the inbox) showing that you have been corresponding that entire time. The visa department will realise that one partner moving to Australia may be due to work or family issues and won't necessarily assume it's a breakup of sorts, even if that partner has been in Australia for some time.

Rather than get discouraged from the process of applying for a partner or de facto visa, keep these points in mind and speak with a visa agent, such as those at Fisa Pty Ltd, if you have other questions about an application.