Australian Visa Fee Hike For Foreign Spouses

What is the cost of an international romance? Some may look at the logistics and lack of physical contact with their better half as a major snag in any attempt to keep a long distance relationship’s fire burning.

In Australia the cost for a foreign spouse to come Down Under has risen, to a great annoyance to many in long distance relationships. What can only be described as a tax on romance has been highly criticised throughout migration agents who have identified the government’s decision to charge citizens a $7,000 fee to bring over their partners as discriminatory and unfair.

“This tax on international ­romance won’t result in any quicker processing times by the department,” Migration Solutions managing director Mark Glazbrook said.

At present there are 60,000 families in Australia who are waiting to hear if approval has been granted to bring their spouses. This figure has lead to the country’s leading demographers to demand that the system in place for family migration system to be reviewed.

The cost for onshore permanent partner visas has risen from $4575 to $6865.50.

New Immigration Fees:
Offshore Subclass 300          $4,627.50
Offshore Subclass 309/100    $4,627.50
Onshore Subclass 820/801    $6,865.50

“They are vulnerable because they have no choice, and they are emotionally vulnerable.” These are the words of Migration Institute president Angela Chan who voiced her thoughts on the situation that a lot of families find themselves in.