Applying for a Student Spouse Visa in Australia?

Yes, you can apply for a visitor visa to Australia and later apply for a student spouse visa (subclass 500) once you are in Australia, but there are important considerations and steps involved.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

1. Applying for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600):

• You can apply for a visitor visa (subclass 600) to enter Australia as a tourist or to visit your husband. The visitor visa typically allows you to stay in Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the conditions of the visa granted.

• While you are in Australia on a visitor visa, you are generally not allowed to work or study full-time. The purpose of your visit should be consistent with tourism or visiting family.

2. Converting to a Student Visa (Subsequent Applicant):

• After entering Australia on a visitor visa, you can apply for a student visa (subclass 500) as the spouse of a student.

To apply for the student spouse visa, you must meet the following conditions:

o Your husband must be enrolled in a recognized course of study in Australia on a valid student visa.

o You must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and that you are the spouse of the student visa holder.

o You will need to submit evidence of your relationship, such as marriage certificates, joint financial arrangements, photographs, or other documents that show you have a long-term and committed relationship.

Steps to Convert Visitor Visa to Student Spouse Visa:

1. Apply for the Visitor Visa: First, you apply for the visitor visa (subclass 600) to enter Australia. Ensure your intentions align with the visa purpose, such as tourism or visiting your husband.

2. Enter Australia on the Visitor Visa: After your visitor visa is granted, you can enter Australia. While you are there, you are not permitted to work, but you can stay for the duration of the visa.

3. Apply for a Student Visa (Subsequent Applicant): Once you are in Australia and if your husband is enrolled as a student, you can apply for a subsequent entrant student visa (subclass 500) as his spouse.

o You can apply for this visa while in Australia, but your visitor visa conditions must allow you to apply for another visa while in the country. If your visitor visa has a “no further stay” condition, you may need to leave Australia and apply from outside.

4. Provide Evidence of Relationship: When applying for the student visa as a spouse, you will need to submit documentation that proves your relationship, including:

o Marriage certificate.

o Proof of cohabitation (if applicable).

o Other supporting documents like joint financial arrangements, photos, communication logs, etc.

5. Await Visa Decision: After submitting the application, you will need to wait for the visa to be processed. The processing time can vary.

Important Considerations:

• Visitor Visa Conditions: Make sure that your visitor visa does not have a “no further stay” condition, which would prevent you from applying for another visa while in Australia. If you have this condition, you would need to leave Australia and apply for the student spouse visa from abroad.

• Working While on a Visitor Visa: If you apply for a student spouse visa while in Australia, you typically won't be allowed to work until your student visa is granted, unless you get work authorization under specific circumstances.

• Processing Times: Keep in mind that applying for a student visa can take some time, so make sure your visitor visa is valid for the duration of the process.

Conclusion:

Yes, you can enter Australia on a visitor visa and later apply for a student spouse visa (subclass 500). Ensure you have the right conditions on your visitor visa (such as no “no further stay” condition) to allow you to apply for another visa while in Australia. It’s a good idea to seek professional advice from an immigration agent or lawyer to ensure the process goes smoothly.