# Limitation on approval of sponsorships—spouse, partner, prospective marriage and interdependency visas

> reg-1.20J — as in force on 2026-06-01 — F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026C00497/latest/text

1.20J Limitation on approval of sponsorships—spouse, partner, prospective
          marriage and interdependency visas
      (1AA) This regulation applies in relation to an application for:
             (b) a Partner (Provisional) (Class UF) visa; or
             (c) a Prospective Marriage (Temporary) (Class TO) visa; or
             (e) an Extended Eligibility (Temporary) (Class TK) visa; or
              (f) a Partner (Temporary) (Class UK) visa.
          (1) Subject to subregulations (2) and (3), if a person applies for a visa mentioned in
              subregulation (1AA) as the spouse, de facto partner or prospective spouse of the
              sponsor, the Minister must not approve the sponsorship of the applicant unless
              the Minister is satisfied that:
                (a) not more than 1 other person has been granted a relevant permission as:
                      (i) the spouse, de facto partner or prospective spouse of the sponsor on
                          the basis of a sponsorship or nomination; or
                     (ii) a person who ceased a relationship of a kind mentioned in
                          subparagraph (i) with the sponsor after the person, or another person
                          mentioned in the prescribed criteria for the visa, had experienced
                          family violence committed by the sponsor; and
                (b) if another person has been granted a relevant permission in the
                    circumstances referred to in paragraph (a)—not less than 5 years has
                    passed since the date of making the application for that relevant
                    permission; and
                (c) if the sponsor was granted a relevant permission as the
                    spouse, de facto partner or prospective spouse of another person on the
                    basis of a sponsorship or nomination—not less than 5 years has passed
                    since the date of making the application for that relevant permission.
        (1A) In subregulation (1):
               relevant permission means:
                 (a) in relation to an application for a visa referred to in subregulation (1AA)
                     made during the period from 1 November 1996 to 30 June 1997
                     (inclusive)—a visa; and
                 (b) in relation to an application for a visa referred to in subregulation (1AA)
                     made on or after 1 July 1997—permission (other than a visa or entry
                     permit) granted under the Act to remain indefinitely in Australia, a visa or
                     an entry permit.
          (2) Despite subregulation (1), the Minister may approve the sponsorship of an
              applicant for a visa if the Minister is satisfied that there are compelling
              circumstances affecting the sponsor.