Hi guys, this is a question regarding the de facto status of a relationship when applying for the Partner Visa. Now I completely understand what is written on the Immi website. The couple has to live together for 12 months before DIAC acknowledges that the relationship is committed and genuine.
And I know this is to prevent cases of mail-order brides or people getting PRs under the pretext of marriages that are non-genuine.
Now here's my scenario:
I have been in a long distance relationship for 4 years. In fact I have crossed the 4th year mark. Due to a few unfortunate family matters, my partner and I weren't able to get married but we've been 100% committed throughout these 4 years. I spent 1 month in Oz with my partner in 2009, then spent 3 months in 2010, all under the tourist visa. And before and after these long-stay periods, I have also visited him for periods ranging 1-2 weeks.
Likewise, he visited me for 3 months last year, and the years before that, he's come to see me at least 2 other times for a 2-week period. In fact, we got engaged this February! And I've got this posted on Facebook (and his), with all the congratulatory comments coming in.
And to add on, I have the usual relationship evidence like photos (tons of them), emails, chat conversations, Skype calls, phone bills spanning over the 4-year period. Now for joint assets, with the exception of a joint bank account which doesn't have much in it at all, we don't have joint assets because of our long distance factor. His home is fully paid up for and under his mum's name, hence no home loans. Well same for the family car...it was bought by his brother as a gift to the mum. Utilities are paid for by the mum. So as you can see, there isn't any joint expense between us.
So what I really want to know is, can/will my 4-year relationship, supported with the above evidence, be accepted as a de facto relationship?
Thanks!
And I know this is to prevent cases of mail-order brides or people getting PRs under the pretext of marriages that are non-genuine.
Now here's my scenario:
I have been in a long distance relationship for 4 years. In fact I have crossed the 4th year mark. Due to a few unfortunate family matters, my partner and I weren't able to get married but we've been 100% committed throughout these 4 years. I spent 1 month in Oz with my partner in 2009, then spent 3 months in 2010, all under the tourist visa. And before and after these long-stay periods, I have also visited him for periods ranging 1-2 weeks.
Likewise, he visited me for 3 months last year, and the years before that, he's come to see me at least 2 other times for a 2-week period. In fact, we got engaged this February! And I've got this posted on Facebook (and his), with all the congratulatory comments coming in.
And to add on, I have the usual relationship evidence like photos (tons of them), emails, chat conversations, Skype calls, phone bills spanning over the 4-year period. Now for joint assets, with the exception of a joint bank account which doesn't have much in it at all, we don't have joint assets because of our long distance factor. His home is fully paid up for and under his mum's name, hence no home loans. Well same for the family car...it was bought by his brother as a gift to the mum. Utilities are paid for by the mum. So as you can see, there isn't any joint expense between us.
So what I really want to know is, can/will my 4-year relationship, supported with the above evidence, be accepted as a de facto relationship?
Thanks!
No house loan, no car loan...)
