Partner Visa Social Media Evidence

What is partner visa social media evidence?

Partner visa social media evidence is material from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, LINE, TikTok, Snapchat or X that shows a couple presenting themselves to other people as partners, and other people recognising them as a couple. Partner visa social media evidence usually takes the form of screenshots of profile information, posts, tagged photographs, comments and check-ins. In Australian partner visa law, it is supporting evidence of the social aspects of the relationship, one of the four matters the decision maker must consider for every partner visa.

The phrase partner visa social media evidence does not appear in the Migration Act 1958 or the Migration Regulations 1994. It is a practical description of one kind of evidence that couples now produce naturally. The Department of Home Affairs assesses it in the same way it assesses any other document: by asking what it shows, when it was created, who created it, and whether it fits with everything else in the application. Used well, partner visa social media evidence can show years of public recognition of a relationship in a few carefully chosen pages. Used badly, it can contradict the forms and create doubts that did not need to exist.

This guide explains where partner visa social media evidence fits in the law, which posts help most, how to screenshot and present them, how much to provide, how to explain an absence of social media, the risks that come with public posts, and the privacy questions couples should think about before uploading anything. It is written for couples applying for the onshore Subclass 820 visa and Subclass 801 visa, the offshore Subclass 309 visa and Subclass 100 visa, and the Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa. The Subclass 820 visa explained, the complete Subclass 820 partner visa guide and the guide to 820 visa requirements, documents and how to apply set out the wider requirements that sit around the evidence.

Why social media is evidence, not proof

Social media is a record of what a couple chose to show the world, and what the world said back. That makes it relevant evidence of how the couple present themselves socially. It does not prove that the relationship is genuine. Posts can be staged, and some genuine couples post nothing at all. A decision maker therefore reads partner visa social media evidence alongside the relationship statement, the Form 888 statements, the financial and household documents and the application forms. Its value comes from consistency with the rest of the file, not from volume. The wider evidence picture is explained in the guide to partner visa relationship evidence and in the complete guide to partner visas in Australia.

Does the Department require partner visa social media evidence?

No. There is no legal requirement to provide partner visa social media evidence, and no criterion in Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994 that asks for it. The regulations require the decision maker to consider all of the circumstances of the relationship, including its social aspects. Social media is only one way of showing those social aspects. A couple who provides no social media material at all can still satisfy the relationship requirements if the social aspects are shown through other evidence.

A common misunderstanding is that a couple without a joint Facebook page, or without photographs online, will be refused. That is wrong. The Department's policy on the social aspects of a relationship refers to declarations of the relationship to government bodies and institutions, statements from family and friends, joint membership of organisations, joint participation in social, sporting or cultural activities, and joint travel and plans for the future. Social media is not named in that policy. Partner visa social media evidence is helpful where it exists and fits the facts, but it is optional.

When partner visa social media evidence carries more weight

Partner visa social media evidence tends to matter more in some situations than others. It is often more important where the couple has lived apart for long periods, where the relationship is relatively new, where the couple met online, or where other evidence of the social aspects is limited. In those cases, posts by family members, comments from friends, and tagged photographs from events can show that the relationship is known and accepted by the people around the couple. For couples who have lived together for many years with joint finances and a long household history, partner visa social media evidence usually plays a smaller supporting role. The partner visa document checklist explains how social evidence sits among the other documents.

Where does partner visa social media evidence fit in the law?

Partner visa social media evidence fits within the social aspects of the relationship, which is paragraph 1.15A(3)(c) of the Migration Regulations 1994 for married couples and paragraph 1.09A(3)(c) for de facto couples. Under subregulation 1.15A(2), when the Minister considers an application for a Subclass 309, Subclass 100, Subclass 820 or Subclass 801 visa, the Minister must consider all of the circumstances of the relationship, including the financial aspects, the nature of the household, the social aspects and the nature of the commitment.

Those four matters exist to answer the questions in section 5F of the Migration Act 1958 for spouses, and section 5CB for de facto partners. The decision maker must be satisfied that the couple have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others, that the relationship is genuine and continuing, and that they live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis. Partner visa social media evidence is relevant because it can show, in a public and time-stamped way, that the couple have presented themselves as a couple to the people around them over a period of time. For de facto couples, the 12-month de facto relationship rule means the dates shown on social media can also become relevant to when the relationship began. The guide on whether you really need 12 months of de facto relationship for a Subclass 820 visa explains the exceptions.

Representing yourselves to others as a couple

The first part of the social aspects is whether the persons represent themselves to other people as being married to each other, or as being in a de facto relationship. A relationship status that names the partner, posts that introduce the partner to friends, photographs captioned as a couple, and shared posts about family events are all examples of a couple representing themselves as a couple. Partner visa social media evidence is particularly good at showing this element, because the representation is made publicly and is dated.

The opinion of friends and acquaintances

The second part is the opinion of the couple's friends and acquaintances about the nature of the relationship. Formally, this is usually shown through Form 888 statements, which are supporting witness statements from Australian citizens or permanent residents who know the couple. Form 888 statements are not statutory declarations. Partner visa social media evidence can support those statements by showing the same friends and relatives congratulating the couple, commenting on their photographs, or attending their events. When the person who made a Form 888 also appears in the couple's posts over several years, the two pieces of evidence strengthen each other.

Joint social activities

The third part is any basis on which the couple plan and undertake joint social activities. Event pages, check-ins at weddings and family celebrations, group photographs from community or religious gatherings, sporting club posts and travel posts can all show joint social activity. The Department's policy refers to documentary evidence of joint participation in sporting, cultural, social or other activities, and to joint travel. Partner visa social media evidence is often the easiest record of these activities that a couple holds.

Which posts make the strongest partner visa social media evidence?

The strongest partner visa social media evidence is material that was created by other people, that names or tags both partners, that is dated, and that spans the whole relationship. Posts that the couple wrote about themselves are relevant, but posts by family, friends and community members carry more weight because they show recognition from outside the relationship. The categories below are the ones decision makers most often find useful.

Relationship status and profile information

A relationship status that names the partner, and the date that status was set, is simple partner visa social media evidence of representation to others. The date matters. If a couple claims the relationship began in one month but the status was changed to "in a relationship" much later, that difference should be explained in the partner visa relationship statement. There are often good reasons for the gap, such as waiting until families were told. The problem is not the gap. The problem is an unexplained gap that the case officer notices first.

Profile information such as a hometown, a current city or a workplace should also be checked. A profile that lists a different city from the address in the application can raise a question about the household, even where the profile is simply out of date.

Tagged photos and posts by friends and family

Tagged photographs uploaded by other people are among the most persuasive kinds of partner visa social media evidence. A photograph posted by a sister-in-law from a family birthday, with both partners tagged, shows that the couple attended together, that the family recognises them as a couple, and that the event happened on a particular date. A post by a friend congratulating the couple on their engagement shows the opinion of an acquaintance in that friend's own words.

Photographs themselves are a separate subject, covered in the guidance on relationship photographs. The point here is the social media layer: who posted the image, who was tagged, what was written about the couple, and when. That layer is what turns an ordinary photograph into evidence of public recognition.

Comments and reactions from other people

Comments such as "Congratulations to you both", "So happy for my brother and his wife" or "When is the next family dinner at your place?" are short, but they are independent statements that the couple are known as a couple. A screenshot of a wedding or engagement post that shows a long list of congratulatory comments from relatives and friends can be strong partner visa social media evidence of the social aspects. Reactions such as likes are weaker on their own, but a visible pattern of the same family members interacting with the couple's posts over years can still help.

Anniversaries, birthdays and milestone posts

Posts marking anniversaries, birthdays, moving in together, engagements, weddings, the birth of a child or the purchase of a home are milestone markers. They help a decision maker match the couple's timeline to public records. Anniversary posts are especially useful because they usually state, in the couple's own words and on a fixed date, how long the relationship has lasted. That makes it essential that anniversary posts match the dates given in the forms. If an anniversary post celebrates "three years together" on a date that does not match the claimed start of the relationship, the inconsistency needs an explanation.

Check-ins, events and travel

Check-ins at restaurants, venues, airports and holiday destinations, and event pages that list both partners as attending, are useful partner visa social media evidence of joint social activities and joint travel. For couples who have lived in different countries, travel posts from each visit can help show the pattern of contact and time spent together. Check-ins should, however, be read carefully before they are uploaded. A check-in placing one partner in another city on a date when the couple claims to have been together at home is exactly the kind of detail a case officer will notice. Couples applying from a visitor visa, a topic explained in the guide to moving from a tourist visa to a partner visa in Australia, often have travel posts that should be checked against the dates in their travel history.

How to screenshot partner visa social media evidence properly

To screenshot partner visa social media evidence properly, capture the whole post on the original platform so that the account names, the date, the content and any comments are all visible in the same image, and do not crop, edit or rearrange anything that changes what the post shows. A screenshot is only useful if a case officer who has never met the couple can see, at a glance, who posted it, who it concerns, and when it was posted.

Make dates, names and the platform visible

Many platforms show only a relative date such as "2y" or "3 weeks ago" in the default view. A screenshot that says "2y" is close to useless, because the case officer cannot tell when the post was made or when the screenshot was taken. Where a platform allows it, open the individual post or hover over the date so that the full date appears before capturing the screen. If a full date cannot be displayed, record the date of the screenshot and the approximate date of the post in the file name and in a short covering index.

The names of the accounts should be visible, and it should be clear which account belongs to the applicant and which to the sponsor. If either partner uses a nickname, a name in another script, or a name that differs from the passport, explain that in the index and, where relevant, in the relationship statement. Partner visa social media evidence loses much of its value if the decision maker cannot connect the account to the person.

Capture the whole post, not a fragment

A screenshot should include the post, the caption, the tags and the visible comments. Cutting a screenshot down to a single photograph removes the very information that makes it social media evidence: who posted it, who was tagged, and what other people said. If a post is long, take more than one screenshot and keep them together in the same file in the order they appear.

Never edit or alter a screenshot

Screenshots must not be edited. Do not remove comments, change captions, blur parts of the content, combine images from different posts into one, or alter dates. Partner visa social media evidence is information given to the Department in connection with a visa application. A screenshot that has been altered can give a false impression even if the couple's intention was innocent. If a screenshot contains unrelated private material, the safer course is to choose a different post or to explain the issue, rather than to edit the image. The integrity issues are discussed further later in this guide.

Translations

Posts and comments that are not in English should be translated. The Department's general instruction for online applications is that non-English documents should be provided with English translations, and translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. For partner visa social media evidence, it is usually enough to translate the caption and the comments that are relied on, rather than every word on the screen. The translation should identify which screenshot it relates to.

Label each file so the case officer understands it

ImmiAccount allows documents to be attached under evidence types. Partner visa social media evidence is usually attached under evidence of the social aspects of the relationship. Name each file so the case officer can understand it without opening it, for example by platform, type of post and date range. A short covering index listing each screenshot, the date, the platform, who posted it, and what it shows makes the evidence easier to assess. If the account has not yet been set up, the guide on how to create an ImmiAccount is the starting point, and the 820 partner visa evidence checklist explains the other evidence categories.

Keep the originals

Keep the original posts online where it is safe to do so, and keep a full-resolution copy of every screenshot. The Department may ask for more information, and an interview may include questions about events shown in the couple's posts. If a post that was uploaded later disappears, the couple should be able to explain why.

How much partner visa social media evidence should you provide?

Provide a representative sample of partner visa social media evidence spread across the whole relationship, usually a small number of strong items from each period, rather than every post the couple has ever made. A focused selection that covers the relationship from its start to the date of lodgement, and that matches the timeline in the relationship statement, is far more useful than hundreds of screenshots in one file.

There is no minimum or maximum number of screenshots in the law or in the Department's policy. The right amount depends on the length of the relationship, how much the couple uses social media, and how much other evidence of the social aspects is available. What matters is coverage over time, independence from the couple, and consistency with the rest of the file.

A representative sample across the relationship

A representative sample of partner visa social media evidence should show the relationship at different stages: early posts showing the couple getting to know each other's friends, posts from when family members were introduced, posts around moving in together, engagement or marriage, and recent posts showing that the relationship is continuing. Evidence of continuity matters because the relationship must be genuine and continuing, not only genuine at one point in time.

Spreading the sample over time also protects against the impression that the evidence was gathered for the visa. A set of screenshots that all come from the few weeks before lodgement tells the decision maker very little about how the couple has been seen by others over the life of the relationship.

A practical sampling approach

A practical approach is to build the timeline of the relationship first, then select partner visa social media evidence for each period on that timeline. For each period, choose the items created by other people first, such as tagged photos, posts by relatives and congratulatory comments, and then add the couple's own posts where they show something new. Prefer posts that involve family, friends, community events and travel over private photographs of the couple alone. Where several posts show the same thing, choose the clearest one.

The guide to preparing evidence of a genuine relationship explains how to build the relationship timeline, and the same timeline should guide the selection of partner visa social media evidence.

What not to upload

Some material should not be uploaded as partner visa social media evidence. Large unsorted exports of an entire account are hard to read and may contain irrelevant material that raises new questions. Posts that are offensive, that include other people's sensitive personal information, or that are unrelated to the relationship add nothing. Private message histories between the partners are a different category of evidence with their own rules, and they should be selected and presented separately rather than mixed into the social media material. Couples who are unsure what to include can ask an immigration lawyer for a partner visa to review the selection, and the guide to partner visa lawyer help versus doing it yourself explains where outside review adds the most value. Screenshots of the same post taken many times over should be removed.

The partner visa social media evidence should also be checked against the Form 80, the application forms and the sponsorship before it is uploaded. Any item that appears to conflict with the forms should be examined and either explained or left out after considering whether the conflict reveals an error in the forms that needs correcting.

What if you do not use social media or keep your relationship private?

If a couple does not use social media, or keeps the relationship private online, that is not a ground for refusal, and it does not prevent the relationship from being found genuine. The couple should briefly explain the reason in the relationship statement and show the social aspects of the relationship in other ways, such as Form 888 statements, event invitations, joint memberships, declarations of the relationship to institutions and photographs with family and friends.

Many genuine couples have little or no partner visa social media evidence. Some have never used social media. Some use it only for work. Some deliberately keep their personal lives offline. The absence of public posts becomes a problem only when the decision maker is left to guess why, or when the explanation given conflicts with the rest of the evidence.

Cultural and religious reasons

In some cultures and religious communities, couples do not post about their relationship publicly before marriage, or at all. Public displays of affection may be discouraged. Families may expect a relationship to be kept private until formal ceremonies are complete. The Department's policy on the social aspects tells decision makers to take into account the extent to which the laws or traditions of the applicant's home country may discourage the parties from openly admitting the existence of the relationship. Where a cultural practice explains why there is little partner visa social media evidence, that practice should be explained and, where possible, supported by family Form 888 statements describing the customs followed.

Safety reasons

Some couples keep their relationship off social media for safety reasons. A partner may be at risk from a former partner, from family members who oppose the relationship, or from people in a home country. Same-sex couples may face legal or social danger in some countries if the relationship becomes public, which is one reason the LGBTI partner visa often needs careful handling of the social aspects. Where family violence is part of the history, the family violence provisions may also be relevant. A safety reason for keeping a relationship private is a legitimate reason, and the relationship statement can explain it in measured terms without the couple having to make their relationship public now.

Professional and personal privacy reasons

Some partners work in roles where a public personal profile is discouraged or unsafe, such as some roles in policing, defence, health, education, security, or public service. Others simply prefer privacy. A partner who has never used a personal social media account, or who closed one years before the relationship began, is not expected to create one for the visa. The explanation should be factual and short. It should not overstate the reason, and it should be consistent with any professional or public profile that the case officer may find.

How the absence of social media is explained

The explanation for having little or no partner visa social media evidence belongs in the relationship statement, written in the couple's own words. It should say whether each partner uses social media, how they use it, and why the relationship does not appear there, or appears only in a limited way. It should then point to the other evidence of the social aspects. Supporting witnesses can confirm the couple's general approach to privacy in their Form 888 statements, provided that is something they genuinely know.

The explanation must be true. If one partner says they never use social media but a public profile shows frequent posting, the explanation will damage credibility rather than help it. Each partner should check their own accounts before the statement is finalised. The guide to Form 888 example answers and common mistakes explains how witnesses can describe what they have observed.

A hypothetical example of a private relationship

Consider a hypothetical couple. The applicant comes from a family that does not approve of relationships before marriage being made public. The sponsor works in a role where the employer discourages personal social media. Neither partner has ever posted about the other. On paper, they have no partner visa social media evidence at all.

The couple's relationship statement explains both reasons in two short paragraphs. Their evidence of the social aspects includes invitations to family weddings addressed to both of them, a joint membership of a community organisation, photographs taken at family events by relatives, a declaration of the relationship to their health insurer and Form 888 statements from friends who describe meeting the couple regularly. In this example, the lack of social media is explained, consistent with the other evidence and outweighed by the other material. That is a coherent case. The same couple with no explanation for the absence, and with Form 888 statements that mention seeing "all their photos online", would present a contradiction instead.

What are the risks in partner visa social media evidence?

The main risks in partner visa social media evidence are posts that contradict the application, histories that were deleted without explanation, a sudden burst of activity just before lodgement, public posts that the couple did not upload but that a decision maker may still see, and posts that suggest the relationship is not exclusive. Each of these risks can be managed if it is identified before lodgement. Each can do real damage if the case officer finds it first.

Posts that contradict the forms

The most common risk in partner visa social media evidence is inconsistency. A relationship status changed months after the claimed start of the relationship, an anniversary post with a different date, check-ins in another city during a period of claimed cohabitation, a profile listing a different home town, or a post describing one partner as "single" during the relationship can all contradict the forms. Contradictions affect more than the social aspects. A date or address that appears differently in two sources becomes a credibility problem that can affect the assessment of the whole relationship.

Many contradictions have innocent explanations. Profiles are not updated, relationship statuses are changed late, and couples post about events days after they happen. The solution is to compare the couple's social media against the forms, the relationship statement and the Form 80 before lodgement, and to explain any real difference. Where the comparison shows that a date in the forms is wrong, the form should be corrected rather than the evidence being left out. Changes in circumstances after lodgement are notified using Form 1022 where that form applies.

Deleted histories and deactivated accounts

Some couples delete old posts, close accounts or lose access to them. A partner may have deleted posts about a former relationship, closed an account after harassment, or simply lost a password. Deleting old material is not unlawful, and a deleted history is not, by itself, evidence that a relationship is not genuine. However, a history that is visibly missing, especially for the period of the relationship, can raise questions if it is not explained.

The safest approach is honesty. If posts were deleted or an account was closed, the relationship statement can say so briefly and give the reason. Couples should not delete posts in preparation for a partner visa application in an attempt to hide information. Removing material that is relevant to the application can create a far bigger problem than the material itself, particularly if it later comes to light.

Sudden activity before lodgement

A sudden burst of couple posts, new tagged photographs and a newly set relationship status in the weeks before lodgement can make partner visa social media evidence look manufactured. The Department's policy takes a similar approach to financial evidence: joint bank accounts operated over a reasonable period are given more weight than recently opened accounts. The same logic applies to social media. Recent posts are not worthless, and genuine couples sometimes become more open after an engagement or wedding. But evidence that only begins when the visa application is being prepared tells the decision maker little about the history of the relationship.

Couples should not create new posts for the purpose of the application. If the couple's social media activity genuinely increased at a particular point, such as after the families were told or after the wedding, that change should be explained by reference to the event that caused it.

Public posts the Department may see

Partner visa social media evidence is not limited to what the couple chooses to upload. The Department's policy allows decision makers to take into account information provided by the applicant or information otherwise available to them. Couples should therefore assume that anything publicly visible on their accounts, or on the accounts of people who tag them, may be seen. A public post by a former partner, a friend's photograph from a period the couple described as living apart, or a public comment about a relationship ending can all become part of the picture.

This does not mean couples should lock down or delete their accounts. It means each partner should review what is publicly visible, identify anything that might appear inconsistent, and address it honestly in the application. Where the Department relies on information that would be the reason, or part of the reason, for refusal, section 57 of the Migration Act generally requires the Department to give particulars of that information and invite comment, subject to the exceptions in that section. The guide to the s57 natural justice letter for a partner visa explains how such a letter is answered.

Posts suggesting the relationship is not exclusive

Section 5F and section 5CB of the Migration Act require a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others. Posts that appear to show one partner in a romantic relationship with someone else during the claimed relationship, dating profiles that remained active, or captions describing another person as a partner go directly to that requirement. Partner visa social media evidence of this kind cannot be ignored. If the post is old, misleading or relates to a period before the relationship, the context should be explained. If it reflects a genuine problem in the relationship, legal advice should be obtained before anything is lodged.

Can partner visa social media evidence lead to a refusal?

Yes, partner visa social media evidence can contribute to a refusal if it contradicts the application, if it undermines the claim that the relationship is genuine and continuing, or if altered or misleading material is provided. It is rarely the sole reason for a refusal. More often it is one of several inconsistencies that together lead the decision maker to find that the relationship has not been established.

Inconsistency and credibility

Most refusals connected with social media are about credibility rather than about the posts themselves. The decision maker compares the couple's account with the documents, and social media is one of the easiest places to find a date, a location or a name that does not fit. The guides to why partner visas get refused and the most common Subclass 820 refusal reasons explain how credibility findings arise.

PIC 4020 and false or misleading information

Public Interest Criterion 4020 in Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations 1994 is engaged where an applicant has given, or caused to be given, a bogus document or information that is false or misleading in a material particular in relation to the application. The Department's policy explains that information is false or misleading in a material particular if it is false or misleading at the time it is given and is relevant to any of the criteria for the visa. It also explains that a refusal under PIC 4020 requires purposeful falsity, and that an innocent mistake that the applicant can explain does not fail the criterion.

For partner visa social media evidence, this means a screenshot that has been altered, a post created after the event and presented as if it were made at the time, or an account created in another person's name would be a serious problem. Ordinary inconsistencies caused by an out-of-date profile are a very different thing, and can usually be explained. The warning on Form 888 also reminds witnesses that it is an offence under section 234 of the Migration Act to make a false statement in connection with a visa application.

Requests for more information

Where the Department has concerns, it may ask for more information under section 56 of the Migration Act, or invite comment on adverse information under section 57. Both are opportunities to explain partner visa social media evidence before a decision is made. A response should deal with each concern directly, provide context and further evidence, and stay consistent with the rest of the file. The guide on responding to a section 56 request explains the process.

Privacy considerations for partner visa social media evidence

The main privacy consideration for partner visa social media evidence is that it usually contains information about other people as well as the couple, so couples should upload only what is needed to show the relationship, should avoid uploading other people's sensitive personal information, and should think carefully before changing the privacy settings of their accounts. Information given to the Department is handled under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Department's privacy policy, and the Department's forms refer applicants to its privacy notice.

Other people's information

A screenshot of a family celebration may show the names, faces and comments of relatives and friends who have not agreed to have their information sent to a government department. That does not prevent the couple from using it as evidence, but it is a reason to choose the screenshot that shows what is needed and no more. Posts involving children, medical information, or other sensitive details about third parties should be avoided unless they are genuinely necessary.

Account settings and safety

Couples sometimes ask whether they should make their accounts public before applying. There is no need to do so, and for some couples it would be unsafe. Partner visa social media evidence is presented through screenshots attached to the application. It does not depend on the case officer being able to view the account. Couples who have kept their accounts private for safety reasons should keep them private.

Login details

The Department does not need, and couples should never provide, passwords or login details to social media accounts as part of a partner visa application. Evidence is presented through screenshots and documents, not through access to the accounts themselves.

Partner visa social media evidence at the permanent stage and on review

Partner visa social media evidence remains relevant after lodgement, because the relationship is assessed again at the permanent stage and, if a refusal is reviewed, by the Administrative Review Tribunal. The Department's policy for the Subclass 801 visa describes a fresh assessment of the relationship based on the evidence before the decision maker at the time of decision. The Subclass 820 vs Subclass 801 guide explains the two stages.

Keeping social evidence current

At the permanent stage, updated partner visa social media evidence can show that the couple continues to be recognised as a couple: new family events, travel, anniversaries and milestones since lodgement. The same rules apply. Choose a representative sample, keep dates and names visible, and check every item against the forms. Couples waiting for a decision can read the guide on how long a Subclass 820 visa takes onshore and the guide to bridging visas in Australia, which explains the status most onshore applicants hold while they wait, and the guide on work rights while waiting for a Subclass 820 visa covers day-to-day life during processing. If the relationship ends during processing, the guide on what happens if the relationship breaks down applies.

What Tribunal decisions show about the social aspects

Tribunal decisions show that the social aspects of a relationship are examined closely on review, alongside the other three matters. The cases below are remittals: in each, the Tribunal sent the matter back to the Department to reconsider. They are described only by the issues recorded for each decision, and a remittal does not mean that any later decision was a grant.

In Tang (Migration) [2023] AATA 4625, a Subclass 820 matter, the issues recorded were that the parties saw their relationship as a long-term commitment and that the social aspects of the relationship were consistent with a de facto and married relationship. In Koroma (Migration) [2026] ARTA 200, a Subclass 309 matter, and Marcos (Migration) [2023] AATA 103, the recorded issues included limited financial, household and social aspects of the relationship while the couple lived in different countries. In Bonini (Migration) [2019] AATA 2441, the issues recorded included evidence of the financial and social aspects of the relationship and a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others. In Hoang (Migration) [2021] AATA 2853, the issues included detailed and consistent evidence of the financial, household and social aspects and the nature of the commitment. These decisions show why consistent evidence of the social aspects matters, whether it comes from social media or elsewhere. The guide to what to expect at an ART review explains the review process, and the partner visa refused appeal options guide explains the choices after a refusal. A visa appeal lawyer can assess whether a refusal is worth taking further. Review deadlines are short and strictly applied, so a refusal should be read and acted on immediately.

How My Migration Lawyers helps with partner visa social media evidence

My Migration Lawyers helps couples select, present and explain partner visa social media evidence so that it supports the social aspects of the relationship without creating new questions. The firm acts in many partner visa matters where social media is part of the evidence, and it regularly deals with complex cases, including couples who met online, couples living in different countries, couples who keep their relationship private for cultural or safety reasons, and couples whose social media contains posts that need to be explained. It is capable of handling these matters from the first review of the evidence through to the permanent stage and, where needed, review.

What the firm does with your social media evidence

First, the firm takes instructions on the history of the relationship and builds a timeline with the couple. Second, it reviews the social media material the couple already holds and identifies the posts that best show representation to others, recognition by family and friends, and joint social activities across each period of the relationship. Third, it checks every selected item against the application forms, the sponsorship, Form 80 and the relationship statement, so that dates, addresses and names line up. Fourth, it identifies anything on the couple's accounts that may look inconsistent, and advises how it should be dealt with honestly. Fifth, where a couple has little or no social media, it reviews the couple's own explanation in their relationship statement and the other evidence of the social aspects, and the couple correct and confirm their own account. Sixth, it organises the partner visa social media evidence with a clear index, so the case officer can understand each item quickly.

Where the Department raises concerns about social media material, the firm prepares the response to a section 56 request or a section 57 letter. Where a partner visa has already been refused, it reviews how the social aspects were assessed. The firm also advises on related issues that often arise in the same application, such as Schedule 3 waivers, the Schedule 3 criteria for applicants who are unlawful, sponsorship limitations and partner visa refusals.

When couples come to the firm

Couples come to My Migration Lawyers at different points. Some want their partner visa social media evidence reviewed before they lodge. Some lodged themselves and want the file checked, which is covered in the guide to hiring an immigration lawyer after lodging your own application. Some want a second opinion from an immigration lawyer. Others come after a visa refusal, including couples considering a partner visa after a visa refusal. Where the firm is appointed to act, it lodges Form 956 so the Department corresponds with the firm. The guide to booking an immigration lawyer consultation explains what happens at the first meeting.

Who handles your matter

Partner visa work at My Migration Lawyers is led by Weiwei Zhang, Principal Lawyer. My Migration Lawyers is an Australian immigration law firm, and more about its approach is on the About My Migration Lawyers page and the partner visa lawyers page. The firm acts for couples across Australia, including partner visa clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart and Parramatta, with consultations by video. Couples comparing firms can read the guides to what a partner visa lawyer does, what an immigration lawyer does and choosing the best partner visa lawyer in Australia, and the factual comparison of a migration agent and an immigration lawyer.

Book a consultation about your partner visa social media evidence

If you are unsure which posts to use, how to explain a private relationship, or whether something on your accounts could be read against you, the right time to get advice is before lodgement or before responding to the Department. Book a Consultation with My Migration Lawyers to have your partner visa social media evidence reviewed alongside the rest of your relationship evidence. You can also call 1300 040 300.