ANZVAC Don Watson Visas : Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are all applications by Filipinos processed in Manila?

A. No, for example, Skilled Migration Visas are processed in Adelaide and Brisbane, and Parent Visas are processed in Perth. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. In a Partner Visa (spouse, fiancee, de facto spouse), must the partners have met personally?

A. Yes, the partners must have met personally. This is one of the requirements for a Partner Visa. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. In a Partner Visa, does the sponsor have to disclose his income?

A. The sponsor must be able to prove that he can support a partner for two years without access to public funds. He will need to submit documents to prove this.
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Q. In a Partner Visa, does the assurer, if needed, have to pay a bond?

A. No. The assurer will only need to apply for a Discretionary Assurance of Support but does not have to pay a bond. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. In a Partner (de Facto) visa, do the parties have to be cohabiting for 12 months immediately prior to application?

A. The cohabitation factor is only one of many considerations in this visa. The Migration Regulations require that the RELATIONSHIP has already existed for at least 12 months at the time of application. With regard to the COHABITATION, the Regulations state that the parties should be living together, or not apart on a permanent basis. Partners who are not living together may be required to demonstrate at a high level of proof that they are not living separately and apart on a permanent basis. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. I am a Filipino citizen, in a "same sex" relationship with an Australian citizen, can this relationship be the basis of migration to Australia?

A. Yes, provided the relationship meets the criteria for the Partner Visa (subclass 309), you will be granted a visa. As with all other visas, we need to meet you personally to assess how your circumstances match the visa criteria. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. Can a fiancee work in Australia?

A. Yes. He/She can seek employment in Australia. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. Can errors on a Birth Certificate be corrected?

A. Some errors can be corrected through the Local Civil Registrar, however some corrections can only be made by a Court Order. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE
DETAILS.

Q. Is it true that all members of the family unit must meet medical requirements, even if they are not migrating to Australia?

A. Yes! The applicant and all her/his family members should satisfy the health requirement. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. What is the average processing time for a Partner Visa?

A. As the Philippines is considered a high risk country, processing of a Partner Visa may take up to 10 months, if lodged outside Australia. This is indicative only as this can vary, according to the workload of the Embassy, and the quality of the documents presented. DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. If a child is legally adopted in the Philippines by an Australian, can he have a visa for Australia?

A. Not automatically. Even if the child is adopted legally in the Philippines, the criteria of the Adoption Visa must be met. Our advice is not to begin an adoption case until you have discussed the visa requirements. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Q. In a Family Sponsored Visitor visa application, does the assurer need to pay a bond?

A. Yes. The assurer needs to pay a bond which is an added assurance that the applicant will comply with his visa conditions. There are refunds once the applicant leaves Australia. GO DIRECT TO DON FOR MORE DETAILS.