Can a Lawyer Help With a Partner Visa for an Arranged Marriage?

What does a lawyer do on a partner visa for an arranged marriage?

A lawyer on a partner visa for an arranged marriage confirms that the marriage is valid for Australian purposes, identifies risks in the couple's history and prepares an application that explains how the relationship began and how it has grown. That includes the relationship statement, Form 888 supporting statements and evidence across the four aspects the Department assesses. Our page on partner visa lawyers explains the firm's partner visa work. The lawyer also advises whether the offshore Subclass 309/100 or the onshore Subclass 820/801 suits the couple, and manages every request from the Department until the decision.

Why do couples in arranged marriages engage a lawyer?

Couples in arranged marriages engage a lawyer because the usual signs of a relationship, such as a long courtship or years living together, may not be present, and the evidence has to show commitment in a different way. Case officers may be unfamiliar with the customs involved. Our article on cultural differences in a partner visa explains how cultural practice is presented to the Department. A lawyer can also identify where the families' involvement, such as the engagement and the wedding arrangements, becomes useful social evidence rather than something to downplay.

How does a lawyer explain an arranged marriage to the Department?

A lawyer explains an arranged marriage to the Department by describing, in plain terms, how the families introduced the couple, how each partner freely chose to marry and how the relationship has developed since. The explanation must be factual, not a general essay on culture, and every point should be supported by documents or statements. Our article on a short relationship explains how the Department treats a limited courtship. Both partners should be able to describe the same events in the same way, so the lawyer works through the history with each of them before anything is lodged.

What issues can make an arranged marriage application complex?

The issues that can make an arranged marriage application complex include a ceremony that was not civilly registered, little time spent together, long periods apart after the wedding, earlier visa applications that did not mention the spouse and one partner's previous marriage. Our article on a long-distance relationship covers periods apart, and our articles on an unrecognised overseas marriage and on complex partner visa applications explain how the other issues arise.

Can a lawyer help if an arranged marriage partner visa is refused?

A lawyer can help if an arranged marriage partner visa is refused, by assessing the decision and advising whether review at the Administrative Review Tribunal or a new application is the better path. For an offshore Subclass 309 refusal, the visa applicant applies for review in their own name within a strict time limit. Our article on partner visa refusal reasons explains common grounds for refusal.

How does My Migration Lawyers work with couples from arranged marriages?

My Migration Lawyers works with couples from arranged marriages by taking the time to understand the families' roles, the customs followed and the couple's own decisions, then setting those facts out for the Department in a clear and respectful way. The firm, led by Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang, can consult in Mandarin and acts for sponsors across Australia and spouses overseas by video and email, on fixed fees agreed before work starts. Couples can describe their situation through the form on this page.