| One of the most used and abused applications for | | | | applicant has no criminal record in the country where |
| entry into Australia is by way of a De Facto Visa. | | | | they last resided for more than twelve months in the |
| There has been much speculation and conjecture as | | | | last ten years. |
| to this kind of visa. The discussion below hopes to lay | | | | The time frame for the application process varies as it |
| to rest the many misconceptions as to the ins and | | | | can be as short as three months to as long as six |
| outs of a De Facto Visa to Australia. | | | | months. If there are issues as to the submitted |
| The De Facto visa is the country's response to the | | | | evidence or concerns about the supposed De Facto |
| ever-changing social landscape concerning relationships | | | | relationship, then the review of the application would |
| and families. Nowadays, there are many relationships | | | | take more time. If the documents are false or |
| that remain unmarried and with children. This becomes | | | | suspicious circumstances are present, then the |
| complicated when the relationship is with an Australian | | | | application would be denied and the applicant would be |
| citizen, permanent resident or qualified New Zealand | | | | blacklisted by the immigration authorities. |
| resident. This visa allows these relationships and their | | | | As previously stated, a De Facto Visa to Australia |
| children to be able to enter and reside in Australia for | | | | provides a two year period for stay in Australia. After |
| the long term. | | | | such two year period, the grantee would be allowed to |
| A De Facto visa, simply put, is the privilege granted to | | | | file for permanent residency. During the two period of |
| an individual with a proven long-standing relationship | | | | the visa, the Australian authorities would periodically |
| with an Australian national, resident or New Zealand | | | | review the status of the relationship of the citizen and |
| eligible individual. The duration of the visa is often for | | | | the visa holder. Over the past few years the |
| two years with an option for permanent residency | | | | immigration authorities have practiced a relatively open |
| once all the requirements are complied with and two | | | | door policy to attract skilled workers to the country to |
| years of residence has been duly established. | | | | fill the demands of the growing Australian economy. |
| The current De Facto Visa stipulations require that the | | | | The review is thus now geared towards seeing the |
| applicant must be in "a genuine, continuous, de facto | | | | immigrants as valuable contributors to the economy |
| relationship" with the sponsor for at least twelve | | | | rather than be a burden of the state. |
| months. The relationship must be exclusive and proof | | | | This hopefully clears much of the misconceptions |
| needs to be adduced as to the couple's time spent | | | | regarding De Facto Visas to Australia. Now, the |
| together barring only separation during the application | | | | authorities have clamped down on the fraudulent |
| for the Australian visa. The applicant also needs to | | | | applications through the many new rules instituted on |
| show proof that the relationship is genuine and not | | | | these kinds of applications. It has been advised though |
| merely a short-term arrangement or convenience. The | | | | at Australia Forum that "if you are in a genuine de |
| applicant also needs to undergo a medical examination | | | | facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian |
| that includes a chest x-ray from a duly authorized by | | | | resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen and have |
| the Australian authorities. Another important document | | | | the relevant paperwork to back up your situation then |
| that needs to be submitted is certified proof that the | | | | there should be very few obstacles in your way. |