Dating since 2017, de facto since 2026: will this help or hurt my partner visa?
Hey everyone, hoping for some advice on a complex situation.
My partner and I met at uni in 2017 and have been together ever since. We're now applying for a de facto partner visa, but our cohabitation only started in February 2026. Here's why:
- I was on a Student Visa (500) from 2017–2020 for my undergrad
- Then a Temporary Graduate Visa (485) from 2021–2023
- In 2023 I left Australia for a fully funded education opportunity overseas
- I recently returned on a new Student Visa (500) after receiving a fully funded PhD offer
- We moved in together February 2026 and will register our relationship after our wedding in July 2026
My concerns:
1. Does an 8-year relationship before cohabitation look suspicious?
The gap is explained by the pandemic, long distance across multiple cities and countries, and cultural expectations around living together before a proper engagement. But I'm worried it looks odd on paper.
2. No documentary evidence before 2020
We were broke students lol. Trips and joint financial activity only really started from 2020 onwards. We do have three friends in Australia providing stat decs who've known us as a couple since 2018 though. We also have a lot of social media posts, daily whatsapp conversations, photos, etc.
3. We told our families officially in August 2025 (i.e., he asked for my hand)
Together since 2017 but only told our families last year. Cultural reasons - both families expected the announcement to come at a point of stability. Does this raise red flags?
4. I declared "never married" on my new student visa
Technically true - we're not married. But I want to make sure this doesn't look inconsistent now that I'm describing a relationship since 2017. The form didn't ask specifically about de facto partners, but flagging it just in case. And we were not de facto at the point when I lodged the new student visa.
5. Does my visa history look opportunistic?
500 → 485 → left Australia → 500 again. I came back for a legitimate fully funded PhD, not to lodge a partner visa. The PhD offer is independently documented. But I want to make sure the timing doesn't raise questions. Tbh, this is the only way we could close the distance that we were both happy with.
What we do have going for us:
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint credit card
- Three friends giving stat decs, known us as a couple since 2018
- Four international visits documented during long distance (he flew to me three times, I flew back once)
- Lots of doordash and gifts while we were long distance
- Shared household contributions, daily routines, family integration
- Wedding planned this year with both families travelling internationally to attend
- Relationship registration with NSW Government planned post-wedding
Has anyone been through something similar — long relationship, late cohabitation, complex visa history? Would love to hear how it went.