In partner visa applications, if the sponsor obtained Australian permanent residency through a Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143/864), special attention must be paid: for sponsors granted a 143/864 visa on or after July 1, 2009, if they were already in a married or de facto relationship with their partner before visa grant, they must wait 5 years from the grant date before sponsoring a partner for a partner visa.

Policy Key Points:
If the relationship was established before the 143 visa was granted: a 5-year wait is required.
If the relationship was established after the 143 visa was granted: the 5-year wait can be waived.

Today we are sharing a successful partner visa case where the 5-year waiting period was waived!

Ms. Z and her sponsor first met in 2012, but the crucial point is that their romantic relationship was only established after the sponsor was granted the 143 visa on October 17, 2022. They confirmed their relationship in February 2023 and were officially married on June 26 of the same year. It was precisely this key timing—“relationship established after the 143 visa grant”—that enabled them to avoid the 5-year waiting period restriction.

Ms. Z lodged her Subclass 820 partner visa application on June 28, 2024, just 1 year and 8 months after the sponsor’s 143 visa approval! Although the Department of Home Affairs requested additional documents on November 18, 2024—such as Form 80, police clearances for both parties, birth certificates, and the death certificate of her former spouse—the overall application process went smoothly. In the end, the visa was granted on August 8, 2025, meaning it took only 1 year and 1 month from lodgment to approval!

Conclusion

This case was in fact highly challenging. Both Ms. Z and her sponsor had previous marriages and each brought children into the relationship, a complex family background that usually attracts heightened scrutiny from the Department of Home Affairs. Yet, to our surprise and delight, the visa was approved in just 1 year and 1 month—faster than many newly married young couples.

If you are facing a similar complex situation, or if you have questions about partner visa applications, we welcome you to consult with us. Leave the professional work to professionals—let us help you avoid unnecessary detours and reunite with your loved ones sooner!