Do Messages in Another Language Need to Be Translated?

Do partner visa messages in another language have to be translated?

Partner visa messages in another language have to be translated into English if they are to be relied on as evidence. A case officer cannot give weight to material they cannot read, and the Department requires documents not in English to be accompanied by an English translation. Untranslated messages are likely to be disregarded. Our guide to partner visa evidence translation explains the Department's translation requirements.

Who can translate messages for a partner visa?

Messages for a partner visa should be translated in Australia by a NAATI-certified translator, or, where translated outside Australia, by a translator who endorses the translation with their full name, contact details and qualifications and experience in the language. A translation by the applicant, the sponsor or a friend is unlikely to be accepted as a proper translation, even if the person is fluent. The translator should work from the screenshot itself, so the translation can be matched line by line with the original. The original screenshot and the English translation should then be uploaded together, so the case officer can see both side by side.

How many messages should we translate?

The number of messages a couple should translate is usually a small, representative sample rather than every conversation. Selected extracts from different periods of the relationship, especially periods apart, show continuity, affection and daily involvement in each other's lives. Each extract should show the date and the names or numbers of the people in the conversation. Our article on how much evidence is enough explains how to keep evidence focused.

What if we use a mix of English and another language?

A couple who uses a mix of English and another language should have the non-English parts translated, so the case officer can follow the whole exchange. A translator can translate the full extract and note which parts were already in English. Many couples communicate in a mix of languages, and it can itself show a shared life across cultures. Our article on cultural differences in a partner visa explains how these relationships are presented.

Do messages carry much weight as partner visa evidence?

Messages carry real weight as partner visa evidence when they show regular, personal contact over time, particularly for couples in a long-distance relationship. They are usually supporting evidence, best combined with financial, household and social evidence. Messages that conflict with the application, for example about dates or living arrangements, can work against the couple, so every extract should be read before it is lodged. Our article on long-distance relationships explains how communication evidence is used.

How does My Migration Lawyers manage message evidence in other languages?

My Migration Lawyers manages message evidence in other languages by choosing, with the couple, a short set of extracts that covers each stage of the relationship, checking them for anything inconsistent with the application and then arranging proper translations before lodgement. The firm, led by Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang, can consult in Mandarin, which helps couples who communicate in Chinese explain the context of their messages. Our partner visa lawyers handle this work for onshore applications and for the offshore Subclass 309 visa.