Partner visas - no limit
Letter to the Editor - Daily Telegraph
13 August 2004
Dear Sir/Madam
Contrary to your claim that 33 000 spouse visas go unfilled, (Why love's no match for the law, 12 Aug 2004), there is no limit on the number of partner visas that can be granted - the category is demand driven.
During 2003-04, the program granted approximately 32 350 visas under the partner category and it is expected that a similar or higher number will be granted this financial year.
The partner visas are available to people who meet the criteria and for people who satisfy the criteria, there is no shortage of places available.
It is completely inappropriate to suggest that the department should ignore the law when considering applications for partner visas in order to increase the number of these visas granted.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA