Do It Yourself (DIY) Partner Visa applications have a high risk of refusal.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department of Home Affairs in 2018 exposed a startling picture on the visa refusal rates of the offshore and onshore Partner visa, when a migration professional is not appointed; a do it yourself (DIY) application.
2015/16 financial year statistics showed 63.4% of partner visas lodged did not appoint a migration professional, while in the 2016/17 financial year it was 59.6%, and the refusal rates for the DIY applicants in the 2015/16 financial year was high at 53.8% and for 2016/17, it was only slightly less at 47%.
Just above half of all DIY Partner Visa Applications were refused on average for applicants unrepresented by a Migration Professional.
Department of Home Affairs 2018 data demonstrated that the visa refusal rate for both on and offshore partner visa applications, where a migration professional was not appointed, was disturbingly high.
The visa refusal rates for unrepresented partner visa applications are high.
There are various reasons why a partner visa application may get denied. Evidence to prove a genuine, committed relationship requires much in-depth information which a layman or laywoman may not fully understand.
Applicants who are refused a partner visa may be in a genuine relationship, however many applicants fail to prove their relationship and offer the necessary proof required by the criteria.
If there is a refusal in an application, relodging another application usually takes much time which can cause emotional stress on the couple, as the applicant would have to be overseas; as a visa refusal onshore means that another partner visa application cannot be made whilst the applicant is onshore.
In our experience, the biggest misconception for DIY partner visa applicants, is that they believe either a marriage certificate, or a relationship registration certificate for de facto relationships, is the only significant piece of proof to prove a genuine relationship. This is a fallacy.
A good migration agent assists the application by ensuring that it satisfies the criteria of the Migration Act (1957) and the Migration Regulations (1993), or alternatively provides a professional opinion that such an application has a high degree of risk associated with it.
Keystone Visa and Migration Services Specializes in Partner visa applications with a 100% success rate. (although past performance does not guarantee future success).
If you are considering a Partner visa and doing it yourself then understand that the current department application fee is AUD $7715 and a refusal will see you forfeiting this fee and also results in the applicant being subject to Section 48 of the Migration Act, significantly restricting your ability to apply for another visa whilst onshore.
If you are considering applying for a partner visa feel free to contact us.
For further assistance with applying for a partner visa, please contact us at [email protected] or through the contact us page on this website.
