KEY POINTS
- Check each family member’s eligibility and intended application timing.
- Prepare relationship and parental-responsibility evidence where relevant.
- Budget and check granted conditions for each person separately.
Identify who is applying
Start with a clear family list: relationship, date of birth, current country, passport and current visa. Eligibility depends on the family relationship and applicable requirements, not simply on travelling together. Adult children, dependency questions and blended families warrant early attention. Tell your adviser about family members even where they do not intend to travel immediately.
Prepare relationship and care evidence
A partner’s application may need evidence beyond a marriage certificate. Organise records of the relationship and shared life that reflect your actual circumstances. For children, consider birth certificates, parental responsibility and any consent or court documents relevant to travel and migration. If a document is unavailable, flag the issue before assuming another family record will be sufficient.
Coordinate the family’s timing
Decide whether applications will be made together or at different stages and check the sponsor-related requirements for that plan. Budget for additional application charges, health examinations and insurance. Confirm each person’s granted conditions individually rather than assuming they match the primary applicant’s work restrictions. Schooling and insurance arrangements should be researched for the intended location and household.
Hypothetical example
A worker plans to travel first while their partner and child remain overseas for a school term. The family checks the subsequent-entrant process and gathers relationship and parental-consent evidence before separating the travel arrangements. A later application is planned as its own process, rather than treated as an automatic addition.
Official sources
Information on this website is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Visa requirements and government charges can change. Obtain advice specific to your circumstances.