How Do We Explain Differences Between Our Relationship Statements?

How do we explain differences between our relationship statements?

Differences between the partners' contributions to the relationship statement are explained by setting out, for each difference, which version is correct, what evidence confirms it and why the other account differed. A partner visa has one relationship statement, but each partner often contributes their own account to it, and those accounts are naturally written from different perspectives. Our article on partner visa conflicting statements explains how case officers treat inconsistency.

Are small differences between partners' accounts a problem?

Small differences between partners' accounts are not usually a problem, and identical wording can itself look rehearsed. Two people will remember a first date or a family visit differently, describe their feelings in different words and focus on different events. The Department expects some variation. What matters is that the core facts agree. Our guide to the partner visa relationship statement explains what each partner's account should cover.

Which differences need an explanation?

The differences that need an explanation are those on facts the law relies on or that the Department can check. These include when the couple met, when they began living together, the date of marriage or engagement, periods apart, previous relationships and the addresses where they lived. A conflict on these points can lead a case officer to doubt the relationship as a whole. Our article on non-genuine relationship refusals shows how this happens.

How do we fix differences before lodging?

Differences found before lodging are fixed by comparing both partners' accounts against the documents, agreeing the correct facts and revising the relationship statement so it reads as one consistent account. The forms, the timeline and any earlier visa applications should be checked at the same time. Our partner visa application review article describes the kind of check worth doing before lodgement.

What if the differences are already in a lodged application?

Differences already in a lodged application are best dealt with by providing a short written explanation and the correct supporting documents through ImmiAccount, rather than waiting for the Department to find them. If the Department has already raised them, the response should address each point directly. Our articles on the section 57 natural justice letter and the section 56 request explain how these requests work.

Can differences between interview answers and the statement be explained?

Differences between interview answers and the relationship statement can be explained in the same way, by identifying the correct fact and the reason for the different answer, such as nerves, a misheard question or a question that was unclear. Explanations should be specific and consistent with the documents. Our article on partner visa interview questions explains how interviews are run.

How does My Migration Lawyers resolve inconsistent relationship accounts?

My Migration Lawyers reads both partners' accounts side by side with the forms, travel records and earlier visa applications, lists every point of conflict and works out with the couple which version the documents support. The firm then redrafts the relationship statement or prepares a written explanation that deals with each difference honestly and in plain terms. Couples can raise inconsistencies with our partner visa lawyers before the Department does.