Subclass 189 Hong Kong stream: Does an accompanying partner need to hold a qualifying visa for four years?
A partner included as a member of the family unit generally does not need to hold their own qualifying 457, 482 or 485 visa for four years. The primary applicant must meet the applicable primary criteria. An accompanying partner must establish the family relationship and meet the relevant secondary requirements.
Start with each person's grant notice
A worker and their partner may both have a grant notice for subclass 482. One may have met the primary criteria for that visa, while the other received the visa as a family member. Record each person's grant date, the basis of the grant and any subsequent grant separately.
If the partner who previously held a visa as a dependant now plans to be the primary 189 applicant, check their own record against the Hong Kong stream's primary criteria. Home Affairs requires a qualifying grant made on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria for the relevant temporary visa. Time on separate grants cannot be added together. The proposed primary applicant must also check their passport and the four years of usual residence immediately before application.
Evidence for a partner included in the application
Keep identity and visa records for each person. Depending on the relationship, prepare marriage or de facto evidence and records that explain your actual living arrangements. If work or caring duties meant you spent time living apart, set out the dates and reasons, and link the explanation to records from that period. Check that names and dates are consistent across originals and English translations.
Family members applying with you must meet applicable health and character requirements. If your partner or dependent children are not included, Home Affairs asks for the reason. A family member who is not accompanying you may still have to meet health or character requirements.
A change in family circumstances needs its own check
If the relationship or a child's dependency changes, record when it changed and where the visa application stands. The regulations contain separate provisions for certain people who cease to be members of the family unit. Check the relevant criteria and any obligation to notify Home Affairs, using the actual application and visa history.
For a review with 卓越移民 Premiervisa Group, prepare a short timeline showing who intends to be the primary applicant, the basis of each temporary visa grant and the family records available.
Official sources checked on 6 November 2026.
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