What documents are needed and what happens if my application is refused?

You will need to evidence the family relationship (such as marriage, partnership, or birth certificates) and the sponsor's income, housing, and health insurance. Where parentage cannot be documented, DNA testing may be requested.

If the application is refused, the main remedy is an appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation. In some situations the Immigration Office may reconsider, or you may lodge a fresh application that addresses the reasons for refusal. There are also protective clauses for victims of domestic violence so that residence is not automatically lost.