What Should a Good Partner Visa Lawyer Do for Me?

What should a good partner visa lawyer do before lodgement?

Before lodgement, a good partner visa lawyer should confirm that the applicant and sponsor meet the criteria, choose between the onshore and offshore pathways, and check for anything that could make the application invalid or lead to refusal. That includes the applicant's visa status, any condition 8503, the section 48 bar, Schedule 3, sponsorship limitations and earlier visa answers that could conflict with the relationship history. Our article on partner visa eligibility explains the criteria tested at this stage.

How should a lawyer prepare the relationship evidence?

A lawyer should prepare the relationship evidence so that it 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. The lawyer should help the couple write one clear relationship statement, which may be written jointly or with contributions from each partner, and should check that the Form 888 statements from friends and family support it. Our article on the partner visa four pillars explains each aspect.

What should a lawyer do while the application is processing?

While the application is processing, a lawyer should act as the authorised recipient for Department correspondence, answer every request for information under section 56 and every natural justice letter under section 57 within the deadline, and tell the client about changes they must report. The lawyer should also prepare the permanent stage evidence, which is generally assessed two years after lodgement. Our article on partner visa section 56 requests explains how these responses are prepared.

What should a lawyer do if the partner visa is refused?

If the partner visa is refused, a lawyer should immediately confirm the deadline for review, explain the reasons for refusal in plain language and advise whether review at the Administrative Review Tribunal or a new application is better. For a Subclass 309 refusal, the visa applicant applies for review in their own name. The firm's page on partner visa refusals explains the review work.

What should a lawyer never do on a partner visa?

A lawyer should never guarantee a grant, lodge information they know is false, leave a Department request unanswered or hide the state of the application from the client. Any of these can harm the case, and false information can lead to refusal under PIC 4020 with lasting effects. The client can always import the application into their own ImmiAccount to check it. Our article on partner visa PIC 4020 explains the consequences of false information.

How does My Migration Lawyers carry out this work on a partner visa?

My Migration Lawyers carries out this work by assessing validity and risk first, then building the application and evidence around the issues it finds, managing every Department request through to decision and advising promptly on review if needed. Advice and the fixed fee are confirmed in writing before work starts, and the firm works by video and email under Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang. Couples can read more about the firm's partner visa lawyers.