While wishing you all the best of luck, I am frankly very surprised that your partner has been unable to find work, with the chance of earning the required amount for the visa application...which isn't a high salary here.

There is certainly no shortage of jobs in the country now.

For something so important (my family), I would be prepared to work anywhere in the country, and to do any job that I was physically capable of.

Sorry if I sound harsh (and I don't have the full facts), but he needs to try a lot harder and to stop feeling sorry for himself.