For many international couples in Australia, the hidden pressure in their relationship is not love itself, but the fear of losing the life they have built together. Australia’s Partner Visa fees have been rising in recent years, meaning couples are navigating a years-long immigration process marked by financial stress, emotional exhaustion and the constant uncertainty of whether their future in Australia will be approved.

Australia’s partner visa application fee now exceeds $9,300, according to the Department of Home Affairs. Once applicants factor in health examinations, police checks, document certification and legal assistance, the total cost can climb well beyond $10,000.

For Aman Singh, a 28-year-old who moved to Australia from India in 2018, the process became more than just paperwork. It became tied to the future of his relationship and whether he could continue building a life in Australia after years of uncertainty.

Singh met his partner in late 2021, shortly after Melbourne emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns. At the time, he had already been considering returning to India permanently after losing work opportunities during the pandemic.

“During lockdown, I didn’t have a job,” he said during a face-to-face interview with Dscribe. “I was planning to go back to India forever.”

But meeting his partner changed that decision.

“When I met my partner, I told her I was planning to go back,” he said. “A few months into it, we were like, okay, I actually want to stay here with you now.”

Singh and his partner after deciding to build their future together in Melbourne. Photo provided by Singh.

Singh and his partner after deciding to build their future together in Melbourne.
Photo: Supplied by Singh.

But what began as a personal commitment soon became a financial one. “My main concern was how much you have to pay for it,” he said. “At the time, the Partner Visa cost around $9,000 to $10,000.”

He described the process as “a big hustle” that demanded significant emotional and financial sacrifice.

Applicants must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs through a strict four-part assessment covering finances, household arrangements, social recognition and long-term commitment. Couples are often required to submit photographs, joint bank statements, travel records, messages and written testimonies from family and friends.

For Singh, one of the hardest parts of the process was turning a naturally private relationship into legal evidence.

“We are the type of couple that doesn’t really take so many photos,” he said. “We are both introverted kind of personalities, so it was a bit harder for us.”

The long waiting period also added strain to the relationship itself. Singh admitted the uncertainty could make ordinary arguments feel heavier because so much money and emotional investment were tied to the visa outcome.

Still, he believes surviving the process requires patience rather than impulsive decisions.

“You give yourself time,” he said. “And if it’s meant to be, it will work out.”

While Singh struggled primarily with the financial burden and uncertainty, Kathleen Solihorn, 27, faced a different challenge: public perception.

While the paperwork itself did not overwhelm her, she feared being judged by people who assumed the relationship existed for migration purposes.

“I didn’t want people to think I was just using my boyfriend for the visa,” she said.

According to Solihorn, stereotypes about migrants from developing countries can create an additional emotional burden for couples already navigating a demanding immigration process.

“There’s this mentality,” she said. “People think you’re trying to use them.”

Despite the financial burden and emotional scrutiny, both Singh and Solihorn said the process ultimately strengthened their understanding of commitment.

“No matter what the outcome of the visa, I know our relationship will still be strong,” Solihorn said.

For Singh, the experience reshaped his understanding of love itself.

“Love is not just about feelings,” he said. “You have to actually show up and work it out.”