Partner visa lawyers helping Canberra couples.
You do not need to be in Brisbane to work with a partner visa lawyer. Salvo Migration supports couples in Canberra by phone or video, with a clear pathway, evidence plan and fixed-fee scope before you decide whether to engage us.
Separate ACT recognition from federal visa eligibility.
An ACT civil partnership can be relevant relationship evidence, but Home Affairs applies federal migration law. The certificate, the couple's complete evidence and the applicant's visa position need to be assessed as separate questions.
ACT civil partnership
Access Canberra says eligible adult couples can register where at least one partner has lived in the ACT for more than three months. Registration may be relevant to the usual 12-month de facto issue, but couples may still need more than the certificate to demonstrate the relationship.
Interstate and overseas postings
Work assignments, study, deployments or family responsibilities can produce periods at different addresses. The application should explain the reason, duration, communication, visits and shared commitments rather than leaving an unexplained gap.
Onshore eligibility is separate
Living in Canberra does not by itself make an 820/801 application valid. Current visa status, conditions, previous decisions and location at lodgement should be checked before the couple relies on an onshore pathway.
Check the current Access Canberra civil partnership guidance and Home Affairs onshore partner visa overview. Sources checked 15 July 2026.
Need the nationwide overview? Compare pathways, legal support and locations in our Australian partner visa lawyers guide.
Focused on partner visas—not every visa category.
Salvo Migration assists couples across Canberra and the ACT by phone and video from its Brisbane office. Our published service focuses on Australian partner visas, including onshore, offshore and prospective marriage pathways.
Pathway and eligibility review
Consider which partner visa pathway may fit the circumstances and identify visa status, timing or location issues needing individual advice.
Relationship evidence plan
Organise genuine evidence across the financial, household, social and commitment aspects of the relationship.
Applicant and sponsor preparation
Clarify responsibilities and keep forms, statements and supporting documents consistent with the couple's actual history.
Complexity assessed early
Previous refusals, schedule 3, character issues or a possible section 48 bar may require individual legal advice.
Every partner visa pathway, handled by lawyers.
Partner Visa 820/801
For eligible couples applying in Australia — begin with the temporary stage and progress to permanent assessment.
Learn more → Offshore✈️Partner Visa 309/100
For partners applying from outside Australia — the temporary 309 brings your partner here while the permanent 100 processes.
Learn more → Engaged💍Prospective Marriage 300
Travel to Australia and marry within the visa period — then move onto the partner visa pathway.
Learn more →Choose help that matches the legal complexity.
Australian immigration lawyers and registered migration agents can provide immigration assistance within their professional authority. Salvo Migration offers a lawyer-led service focused on partner visas and related legal issues.
Free strategy call
The initial call covers the proposed pathway, professional fees and next steps. Detailed legal advice or document review may require a separately agreed scope.
Canberra service, Brisbane office
We assist Canberra clients remotely and do not claim to have a Canberra office. Appointment times are confirmed in local time, including when daylight-saving differences apply.
Keep one relationship history across every posting and address.
Couples who move for work or spend time interstate or overseas can still document a genuine relationship. The task is to make the timeline, shared decisions and continuing commitment understandable from the records.
Map every address and period apart
Create one chronology showing where each partner lived and why. Leases, official correspondence, travel and employment records can then be selected to support that history instead of appearing as contradictory addresses.
Show how the household continued
Financial support, shared expenses, belongings, visits and practical decisions may help explain how the couple managed the household during temporary separation. The evidence should reflect the real arrangement, not force it into a standard template.
Explain professional confidentiality carefully
Where a role limits the records that can be shared, do not upload restricted material. Use lawful, ordinary evidence and explain any genuine gap without disclosing protected information.
Keep forms and statements aligned
Applicant and sponsor answers should use consistent dates for meeting, commitment, cohabitation and separation. Differences should be resolved or explained before lodgement, not hidden under a larger upload.
Evidence you can inspect
Review published visa approvals and, when you choose, load current Google reviews before deciding whether Salvo Migration is right for you.
Published approval examples
See recent published outcomes with pathway and grant-date context. Personal details are redacted.
Inspect published approvals →Current Google reviews
Load the review source when you want to inspect recent client feedback.
Past outcomes and client reviews do not predict or guarantee the outcome of another application. Every matter is assessed on its own facts and decided by the Department of Home Affairs.
No Visa, No Fee — for eligible matters.*
If your application is not approved and certain conditions are met, we'll refund our professional fees. Eligibility and conditions are confirmed in writing before engagement.
Book your free strategy call →*Applies to eligible partner visa applications where guarantee conditions are met.
Common questions, answered by lawyers.
How long does a partner visa take?
Processing times vary depending on the visa type and complexity of your case — current times change with the pathway, application and Department caseload. Check Home Affairs before relying on an estimate.
Can I apply in a de facto relationship?
The 12-month rule generally concerns the duration of the de facto relationship immediately before application, not simply a lease period; registered relationships and other exceptions can apply. We assess the facts before you rely on an exception.
What if my application is refused?
Review rights and deadlines depend on the decision, the applicant's circumstances and where they were when the application was made. Get the decision checked promptly and read our partner visa refusal guidance.
Is the first Canberra partner visa call free?
Yes. The initial strategy call covers the proposed pathway, professional fees and next steps. Detailed legal advice or document review may require a separately agreed scope.
Can I include my children in the application?
Yes, dependent children can be included. You'll need to provide evidence of their dependency and meet specific requirements.
Do we need to meet you in person?
No. Salvo Migration does not claim a Canberra office. Canberra clients work with the Brisbane-based team by phone or video and exchange documents through the agreed channels.
Make Canberra home — together.
Book your free strategy call: eligibility, pathway, fees and next steps for your partner visa in Canberra.
Prefer to talk now? 1300 644 788