What If We Have Little Social Evidence for a Partner Visa?

What if we have little social evidence for a partner visa?

A couple with little social evidence for a partner visa can still apply, provided the reason is explained and the financial, household and commitment evidence is solid. The Department assesses the relationship as a whole, so a thin social aspect can be balanced by strength elsewhere. What harms an application is an unexplained absence. Our article on a partner visa with limited evidence explains how to present an uneven evidence base.

Why might a couple have little social evidence?

A couple might have little social evidence because one or both partners recently moved to Australia, they work long or unusual hours, they are private people, family disapproves of the relationship, or the relationship has been kept quiet for safety. Each reason should be stated honestly in the relationship statement. Our articles on a partner visa without family support and a partner visa secret relationship deal with two common situations.

What counts as social evidence?

Social evidence includes anything that shows the couple being known and treated as a couple by other people. Examples are Form 888 statements, photos with friends or family, joint invitations to weddings and events, cards addressed to both partners, memberships of clubs or religious communities, joint travel and social media posts. Our article on social and household evidence gives more examples.

How can we build social evidence now?

A couple can build social evidence now by doing the ordinary things couples do, such as attending events together, being added to each other's family and friend groups, and keeping dated photos and invitations. Evidence created this way during processing helps at the permanent stage. It should never be staged for the application. Our article on partner visa photo evidence explains which photos carry weight.

Can a few Form 888 statements make up for little other social evidence?

A few detailed Form 888 statements can go a long way to make up for little other social evidence, because they are direct accounts from people who know the couple. Even one or two well-written statements from a colleague, neighbour or community member can describe how the couple presents itself. Our guide to Form 888 witness statements explains what makes a statement useful.

Does little social evidence lead to refusal?

Little social evidence alone rarely leads to refusal, but it can contribute when other aspects are also weak. Refusals for a non-genuine relationship usually involve several gaps together. A refused applicant can generally seek review at the Administrative Review Tribunal within a strict time limit. Our page on partner visa refusals sets out what a review involves.

How does My Migration Lawyers strengthen thin social evidence?

My Migration Lawyers looks for the social evidence couples often overlook, such as workplace contacts, religious or community groups and online communities, and works out who can genuinely give a Form 888. The firm writes the explanation for a small social circle into the relationship statement and shifts weight to the stronger aspects of the evidence. Couples with a small social circle can ask our partner visa lawyers which witnesses and documents will carry the most weight.