Partner Visa Evidence Checklist

MARN 1576536 · Keshab Chapagain · Print this page

Area 1 — Financial

Are the parties financially intertwined? What does that intertwining look like?

• Joint bank accounts — statements covering at least the 12 months before lodgement (showing both names as account holders, and transactions consistent with shared life)
• Joint savings or term deposit accounts
• Shared rental tenancy agreement OR jointly-owned property (title, mortgage statements)
• Joint utility accounts at the shared address (electricity, gas, water, internet — in both names where possible, or alternated bills demonstrating shared responsibility)
• Joint vehicle ownership (registration certificates in both names) OR shared vehicle insurance
• Joint insurance policies — contents, health (couple/family policy), life insurance with the partner as nominated beneficiary
• Superannuation nomination of partner as beneficiary
• Will naming partner as beneficiary or executor
• Evidence of major joint purchases (furniture, vehicle, holiday — bank statements showing payment from joint account)
• Evidence of financial support given by one to the other (transfers, loan repayments, gifts during periods of separation)

Area 2 — Nature of the Household

How is the household actually organised? Who does what?

• Statutory declaration (one from each party) describing the household — who handles cooking, cleaning, shopping, finances, family communication; division of household responsibilities
• Photographs of the shared home — exterior, interior, kitchen, bedroom, evidence the home is actually shared
• Correspondence addressed to both parties at the shared address (in the 12 months before lodgement) — bills, government correspondence, bank letters, official notifications
• Cohabitation start date and history — explanation if the parties have lived in multiple places together
• Evidence of joint household decisions — pet ownership (vet records), childcare arrangements, school enrolments for children of the relationship
• Lease/rental references from previous addresses where applicable
• If currently apart (e.g. due to work, visa status): evidence of ongoing communication, regular visits, and intention to resume cohabitation

Area 3 — Social

How are the parties perceived by family, friends, and the community?

• Statutory declarations (Form 888 for onshore Australian permanent residents and citizens, or written statements offshore) from people who know both parties as a couple — typically 2-4 declarations covering different parts of the parties' lives
• Wedding or commitment ceremony evidence — photographs, invitations, ceremony certificate, guest list (if formally registered)
• Engagement and relationship milestone photographs across the relationship's duration (not just a wedding day)
• Travel together — boarding passes, hotel bookings (jointly named), holiday photographs showing both parties
• Joint social media presence — being tagged in each other's posts, joint Facebook profile interactions, public acknowledgement of the relationship
• Joint memberships (gyms, clubs, religious community), mutual involvement in each other's families' events
• Evidence of joint involvement with the other party's family — invitations to family events, photographs at family gatherings, communication with in-laws
• Mutual involvement in each other's professional networks — workplace events attended together, business introductions

Area 4 — Commitment to Each Other

What does the future look like, and how much do the parties know about each other's lives?

• Statutory declarations covering: how the parties met, how the relationship developed, key milestones (moving in together, engagement, marriage), and future plans (where they will live, family planning, career integration)
• Communication records during separation — messages, video call logs, emails covering substantive day-to-day matters (not just a sample of "we love each other" texts)
• Evidence of mutual knowledge of each other's circumstances — family members' names and details, work histories, important dates, plans for children
• Long-term financial commitments planned or made together — mortgage applications, retirement planning
• Evidence of integration into each other's countries (for couples with international background) — language learning, citizenship considerations, family visa plans
• For de facto applicants without 12+ months living together at lodgement: registration of the relationship in a state/territory register (NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, TAS, SA) waives the 12-month requirement

Common evidence gaps to fix before lodgement

• Only one area covered well. If 80% of your evidence is financial, the officer will look for the household, social, and commitment evidence — and not finding it raises questions.
• Cohabitation dates inconsistent. Make sure your statutory declarations, lease, joint utility account start dates, and police checks (addresses) tell the same story.
• No bridge evidence during periods of separation. If the parties have lived apart for any period, dedicate explicit evidence to that period — communication, visits, intention to resume.
• Form 888 declarations too similar. Officers see hundreds of these — declarations that read like templates rather than specific personal observations are weaker than a few that demonstrate the declarant actually knows the couple.
• Old evidence only. Most categories should have evidence from the 12 months immediately before lodgement, not just from earlier in the relationship.
• No future plans articulated. Area 4 ("commitment") asks what the future looks like — applications that don't articulate future plans are weaker.

What this checklist does NOT cover

This is a general evidence framework. It does not address:

• Sponsor eligibility (citizenship status, character, previous sponsorships, sponsor undertaking obligations) — see the five-email series for an overview
• Health requirements (PIC 4007 considerations, TB screening, health waivers)
• Character requirements (police checks, PIC 4020 disclosure discipline)
• Family violence provisions where the relationship has ended due to family violence (specific evidentiary requirements apply)
• Strategic decisions — when DIY is reasonable vs when professional help adds value

If your situation involves any of the above — particularly prior refusals, health considerations, sponsor character history, or family violence — book a paid 30-minute consultation ($200 + GST) for a specific review.