How Do I Find a Partner Visa Lawyer With a High Success Rate?

Can I trust a partner visa success rate that a lawyer advertises?

A partner visa success rate advertised by a lawyer should be treated with caution, because nobody independently checks how it was calculated. A firm can produce a high figure by declining difficult matters, counting only first stage grants or leaving out withdrawn applications. Lawyers must not advertise in a way that is false, misleading or deceptive, and a bare percentage says little about how a particular couple's case will be decided. Our article on the partner visa success rate explains what published figures do and do not show.

Why does My Migration Lawyers not publish a success rate?

My Migration Lawyers does not publish a success rate because every partner visa is decided on its own evidence and law, and a percentage cannot predict the outcome of any single application. The firm takes on matters that have already been refused, matters with Schedule 3 or condition 8503 problems and matters with character issues, so any figure would compare unlike cases. Instead, the firm gives each couple a written assessment of the risks in their own case.

What decides whether a partner visa is granted?

Whether a partner visa is granted depends on whether the couple meets the legal criteria and proves a genuine and continuing relationship across the four aspects the Department assesses: financial aspects, the nature of the household, social aspects and the nature of the commitment. Health, character and public interest criteria must also be met, and onshore applicants may face Schedule 3 or section 48 issues. Our article on the partner visa refusal reasons shows where applications commonly fall short.

What should I look for instead of a success rate?

Instead of a success rate, a couple should look for a lawyer who explains the specific weaknesses in the case, sets out the evidence needed to address them and agrees the fee and scope in writing. It also helps to ask how the lawyer handles a request for information, a natural justice letter and a refusal. Our guide to choosing Australian migration lawyers lists the practical checks, including confirming that the lawyer holds a current practising certificate.

Can a lawyer guarantee that my partner visa will be granted?

A lawyer cannot guarantee that a partner visa will be granted, because the decision is made by the Department, or on review by the Administrative Review Tribunal, and not by the lawyer. A promise of a guaranteed grant is a warning sign. What a lawyer can do is reduce avoidable risk by making sure the application is valid, the evidence is complete and the answers given across forms are consistent. Our article on partner visa approval tips explains what case officers look for.

How does My Migration Lawyers reduce the risk of refusal in your case?

My Migration Lawyers reduces the risk of refusal by testing each partner visa against the criteria before any charge is paid, then building the relationship evidence around the weak points the firm identifies rather than around a standard checklist. The firm checks earlier visa applications for inconsistencies, prepares responses to every Department request and, if a refusal still happens, advises on partner visa refusals and review. Couples can read more about the firm's partner visa lawyers.