Group and family application strategies

For Australian visa 600 applications: 1. Passport scans: Submit copies of the current passport and any previous passports containing visas. You do not need to scan every blank page; focus on pages with identity info and travel stamps. 2. Unused visas: It is recommended to include copies of visas even if they weren't used for entry, as they demonstrate travel history. 3. Group applications: When applying for family, create a group in the ImmiAccount and list family members as accompanying travelers.

When filling out the Australian visa application, if you are traveling with colleagues or individuals whose details were provided in sponsorship letters or other supporting documents, it is advisable to list them in the application form. This ensures consistency and can be particularly relevant if you share a common travel purpose, such as attending a marathon.

In the Australian visa application form, the section 'Non-accompanying members of the family unit' is typically for dependents like spouses or children who will not be accompanying the applicant. If you are single and have no dependent children, you should answer 'No' to this question.

When applying for a family visa (e.g., parent and child), it is highly recommended to submit the adult's application first. The applicant will need the parent's application or Group ID to link the child's visa application, which ensures synchronized processing.

While Form 54 (Family Composition) can be included in an Australian visa application, it is not always mandatory. Focus on ensuring all other required documents supporting family ties are accurately submitted.

To prove the genuineness of your relationship for an Australian partner visa when not living together: 1. **Document Shared Activities:** Compile evidence of joint activities, such as travel itineraries, hotel bookings, event tickets, and photos. 2. **Social Media:** Use publicly visible relationship statuses on platforms like Facebook, including posts that depict your relationship. 3. **Witness Testimonies:** Obtain completed Form 888 ('Statutory Declaration') from two individuals who can attest to the genuine nature of your relationship. These declarations usually need to be witnessed by an authorized person (e.g., police officer, chemist in Australia). 4. **Communication Records:** Provide evidence of ongoing communication, such as chat logs or emails.

When applying for an Australian visa as part of a group, if a companion later withdraws their application, it's generally not necessary to submit a formal amendment. Visa officers will likely proceed with the application based on the provided information, and the visa may still be granted.

If you indicated a travel companion during the visa application process before payment, it's ideal to submit as a group. If payment has already been made, and you did not initially apply as a group, individual applications are necessary. For companions with different citizenships (e.g., Estonian citizen traveling on an Estonian passport), research the appropriate visa subclass (e.g., eVisitor 651 or Visitor visa 600) and requirements for their specific nationality. Dual citizenship does not negate the need for the correct visa based on the passport used for entry.

For Australian visa applications, an unmarried couple can be recognized as 'de facto partners'. This status should be declared within the visa application form, where each applicant can nominate the other as their de facto partner. This declaration is generally accepted by visa officers as evidence of a genuine relationship for application purposes.

For an Australian tourist visa (subclass 600), if you are traveling with an unregistered partner who has a high income and savings, you can opt for sponsorship. Indicate 'de facto partner' in the application if your relationship meets the criteria. Your partner can sponsor your trip, and this is generally accepted even for unregistered relationships. Clearly state the nature of your relationship and provide evidence of cohabitation if possible. If you choose the 'self-funded' option, ensure your own financial documents (including savings) are robust.

When applying for an Australian visa concurrently with a travel companion, it is not mandatory to explicitly state the companion's details in your individual application. However, indicating the companion in the application form or a cover letter can provide context. Each applicant must submit their own complete application.

In the Australian visa application, the 'family unit' typically includes spouse/partner and dependent children. While including extended family like aunts, uncles, or cousins is not strictly necessary, it's better to check the specific definitions provided by the immigration department to avoid omissions.

When applying for a visa for a newborn baby whose parents already have a visa, a new, separate application must be created for the child. The child is considered a full applicant, similar to an adult, and will need to provide biometric data. This new application is created within the parent's existing account.

If a group application was intended, but one member holds a non-Russian passport (e.g., Estonian), they may need to apply for a different visa subclass (e.g., eVisitor 651 if eligible, or Visitor visa 600) based on their citizenship. Even with dual citizenship, the visa must be obtained based on the passport used for entry into Australia. Check specific eligibility criteria for each visa type.

In Australia, visa application for parents of citizens is possible. Previously, a new visa could only be applied for after the expiry of the current one. Now, applications can be submitted before the current visa expires. For parents of Australian citizens, there is a possibility of obtaining a 3-year visa, especially on repeat applications. First-time applicants are typically granted a 1-year visa. Visa regulations often change at the beginning of the financial year.