Australian Partner Visa Grant – despite COVID-19
Richard and Ray – A Permanent Partner Visa Granted
Another Partner Visa granted to Down Under Visa clients! There have actually been a lot of grants lately, both Temporary Partner Visas and Permanent Partner Visas as with Richard and Ray.
NOTE WELL! Visa applications are still being processed and Australian visas are still being granted despite COVID-19!
(Which means if you want an Australian visa for your Filipino or Filipina sweetheart, for goodness sakes don’t sit on your hands because of this wretched COVID-19 virus! Get on with it! The sooner you start, the sooner it will happen!)
But back to Richard and Ray!
They came to us in 2016 wanting a Tourist Visa at that stage. After a successful grant, they followed up with us for a second tourist visa grant. After that? They did what so many couples do when they realise they don’t want to be apart anymore! They took the next logical step and had us organise a Partner Visa for them. An onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820).
My advice has always been: If you can’t stand being apart, time to stop with the tourist visas and look at something permanent. Partner Visa time!
De Facto Relationship
So this is what we did. They also needed guidance in ensuring their de facto relationship was going to be recognised by the Department as a genuine and committed de facto relationship, so Down Under Visa gave them this guidance as well as with preparing an excellent visa application that would (and did!) produce a visa grant.
Permanent Partner Visa
The next stage was the permanent stage. When we apply for a Subclass 820 temporary partner visa, we also apply for a Subclass 801 permanent partner visa. A double application! However they want to see that you both did what you said you would do, which means that two years after the lodgement of the double-application they want some evidence from you that you are still living together in a committed shared-life relationship. Most clients opt for getting further help from Down Under Visa at this stage as did Richard and Ray.
And again, despite COVID-19 and lockdowns everywhere, the visa grant still came through in the midst of it all.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Australian Visa Applications
Richard and Ray were happy to give a testimonial video to thank Down Under Visa for making their dreams come true. But that wasn’t their only motivation. I explained to them how stressful this time was for many of our clients. Many who have applications in the system are worried that no visa processing will be done, and that the Department doors are closed. Others who have yet to get started are basically thinking the same thing, and see no light at the end of the tunnel.
Fortunately Australian is NOT America, and there is no Donald Trump at the help suggesting drinking disinfectant and shutting the doors on all immigration. The Department of Home Affairs is still functioning and life goes on. And we (Ray and Richard AND Down Under Visa) don’t want to see anyone lose hope. Love is a strong motivator, and we want to see you get together and start the next stage of your lives. Down Under Visa doors also remain open, COVID-19 or not!
So follow your hearts, and never give up! We will continue to be here to help you make it happen!
Congratulations Richard and Ray and may your future be full of love and adventure.