Can I Include My Partner or Children in My DAMA for SC482/494 Visa Later?

Planning your permanent residency (PR) visa pathway and the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) pathway seem enticing to you? Through DAMA, you can have the opportunity to live and work in specific regional areas in Australia. While this pathway is exciting, many primary applicants wonder whether they can bring their family and, if so, whether they can include their spouse/partner and/or children in their DAMA visa later?

What Is the Process to Include Family Members Later for DAMA?

DAMA allows skilled migrants to be sponsored in Australian regions with specific labour shortages. The primary visa granted under a DAMA is typically a Skills in Demand (SID) (Subclass 482) visa or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa. These visas allow eligible family members to be included.

To include your family member on your DAMA visa after your own visa has been granted, usually involves:

Your family member has to be a Member of Family Unit (MoFU); they can lodge their own visa applications, specifying that they are applying as dependents of a primary visa holder.
Ensure that each family member meets the standard visa criteria, including:
1. Relationship requirements
2. Health and Character requirements
3. Age and dependency rules
Demonstrate a valid SC482/494 visa status of the primary visa holder

Note:

What Must I Consider When Adding MoFU in DAMA Later?

Timing is important! It is often more straightforward and cost-effective to include your MoFU in your initial visa application. However, if timing doesn’t work out, adding them later involves separate applications as a subsequent entrant, which also means additional processing times and visa application charges (VAC). “When Do I Add My Family Members To My Skills In Demand (SID) (SC482) Visa?”
As the primary visa holder, you must continue to meet all visa conditions of your DAMA work-sponsored visa. Any breach could affect your family’s applications.
Be prepared to provide supporting documents of your relationship with your MoFu (partner/spouse and/or children).

Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

Each DAMA operates independently and within a specific area. Consult with a professional immigration lawyer at Agape Henry Crux on how to proceed and navigate through the process. Our team of immigration lawyers works together with two of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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