By preparing your documents well in advance, you can ensure that your application is organized and complete, which in turn demonstrates the seriousness of your intent to migrate and will reduce the processing time of your application. A well-organized application will not only create a positive impression on the immigration official reviewing your file, but will also ensure that there is nothing missing in your attachments.
After you have submitted your application on ImmiAccount, you can still continue to attach documents to support your case. Please note that if you are on a partner visa, knowing which documents to include after submission is important as officials want to see the progress of your relationship journey; see #14 in the list below.
1. A valid passport or travel document. If using a passport, ensure it is valid for minimum 12 months at time of application. Otherwise, have it renewed or find out how you can renew your passport after you apply, without leaving the country. Once you have received your new passport, go to ImmiAccount and update your passport information – VERY important.
2. If you married an Australian citizen or PR holder, get a marriage certificate, and find out if there is a department that authenticates the marriage certificates in your respective country. Get that document as well! The more documents to authenticate your relationship status, the better.
3. Proof of travel – we touched on this topic in the Important Information post. Your travel history and movement records are very important for the last 5-10 years. Create an Excel file with a list of all dates and countries you have travelled to. If the option exists, reach out to the border authority of your native country and request for your travel history to be emailed to you. If you have multiple identities, do this for all countries where you have a passport and/or a travel document.
4. Birth Certificate – very important. If not in English, have this translated. Translations do not expire, so you can keep your digital copy forever. You MUST use a NAATI-certified translator (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters). Find one online at NAATI Online Directory.
5. School and Tertiary qualifications are noteworthy attachments – Australia is looking for skilled migrants, so the more educated you are, the better. If not in English, please have them translated by a NAATI-certified translator.
6. National IDs for yourself – If you have any National Registration Identification, ensure you take pictures and attach in your application. Example: An Aadhaar Card for Indians, a National Identity Card for Ugandans, a Resident Identity Card for Chinese nationals, etc. Please see the following Wikipedia article for a comprehensive list of National Identity Cards by Country.
7. Passports and National IDs for your immediate family members, even if you are not applying for their visa applications. ImmiAccount asks for IDs for all your immediate family members to be input in the application. You don’t necessarily have to include these in your attachments, unless they are a part of the visa application. However, you do need this information on hand.
8. Police Clearance and Fingerprints - Get your police clearance certificates or letters from all countries you have lived in for at least 12 months, during the last 10 years. Apply online or if residing in your native country, get your fingerprints taken as well. If you are on a bridging visa and are waiting for the application to be processed, I also recommend getting an Australian National Police Certificate and attaching to your application. There is no period of validity stated on the certificate. Please see Australia Post - Police Checks to learn more.
9. Proof of English Proficiency, unless you are migrating from an English-speaking country or have tertiary education taught in English. If you think you may need to provide proof, pursue the IELTS or TOEFL certifications. Please also read our Learn English post.
10. Statutory Declarations from Australian Citizens – At least 2-3 stat decs; they demonstrate that people can vouch for your character, and provide proof of your intentions to settle in Australia.
For more information on Form 888 Statutory Declarations – see the blog post on Statutory Declarations.
11. Statutory Declarations from friends and family – They can be settled anywhere in the world. Friends and immediate family members demonstrate that your network is aware of your decision to migrate and are supportive of it. The more information the better, so try to get minimum 3 stat decs; this is in addition to those written by Australian citizens. If on a spousal or de facto visa, get stat decs from your spouse’s side as well. If your partner's family members or friends write about the nature of your relationship, and how they know the both of you, it strengthens your application.
For all Partner or Prospective Marriage visa applications, we recommend both partners filling out a stat dec for the respective region/territory and including this in your applications. These need to reflect timelines, relationship progression, and commitment towards each other, past, present, and future. To download the correct form for your region/territory, see the blog post on Statutory Declarations.
12. Resume – not required but if you feel it will strengthen your application, then by all means go ahead and attach.
13. If you have driving licences from other countries, get them authenticated by the respective driving and/or transport authorities by obtaining a letter detailing your licencing information. If they are expired, consider renewing them BEFORE applying for a licence in Australia. It is much easier to obtain your Australian driver’s licence if you have a valid licence from another country.
14. Proof that you are here to stay:
a. Bank Account Statements – if you have transferred money to Australia, take a picture or screenshot from your app, and attach. Joint bank account statements, if on a spousal or de facto visa. If you make major purchasing decisions using a joint bank account, ensure that you attach these transactions. Or, if you as an individual purchase a home or land, or make an investment, ensure you attach a financial statement displaying the transaction(s).
b. Local ID – if your application has been filed and a temporary visa granted, while you wait, Get A Local ID or more than one – a Photo Card and a Driver’s Licence. See our post on Get A Local ID.
c. Grocery receipts – perhaps attach one or two major shopping receipts from every month – compile them into a pdf file so you’re saving attachments and not boring the immigration officer with your weekly groceries 😉.
d. Local or Regional Memberships, such as gym memberships and professional associations, show that you are assimilating in the community.
e. Proof of training (employment or educational) and/or group activities.
f. For partners - Proof of trips or vacations taken together; anything that shows relationship progression and the fact that you are a "couple" is important.
If you are in Australia, please continue to the Once You Have Landed post. Else head over to Next Steps - Get A Local ID to learn more about the requirements for a local ID as well as a Driving License. Your journey has just begun - we want to help you stay on top of everything.
If you can think of anything else we should include on this list, please do email us. If we have helped you in any way, kindly Donate a Cup of Coffee to help with the long nights. If you have donated, thank you kindly for supporting migrants in their journey.
