Australian Partner Visa Refusal Reason

Every week, my team and I meet with couples who’ve fallen in love and are starting to plan their future together. They come with so many hopes and dreams, plans to buy a house, plans to start a family, career goals and financial goals. 

A partner visa is often the make or breaks to fulfilling these goals. Now, the worst part of my job as a migration agent is meeting with couple’s who’ve had a partner visa refused. A partner visa refusal is basically the undoing of all of these plans, and in some cases, it actually sees the undoing of the relationship. 

In my experience, it’s most couples’ fears when they’re heading down the partner visa journey. That’s probably why the single most frequently asked question we hear at Freedom Migration is;

Can they actually refuse our visa?

We’re in a genuine relationship.

How could they say no?

The answer is short and sweet. Of course, they can.

Now, let me explain. The process of lodging a partner visa is actually a request for Immigration to consider granting the visa. It’s not a guarantee that it’ll be granted. It’s not Immigration’s responsibility to help you secure that partner visa. Their job is to be the judge and make a decision about whether you’ve provided enough information to satisfy the legislative requirements.

So, why would the Department of Immigration refuse a visa?

Lots of reasons. One of the most common reasons for refusal is where couples have not been able to prove that their relationship is genuine and continuing.

I’m not talking about couples that some might say are “dodgy” and it’s clear they’re in a fake relationship. I’m talking about couples who’ve lodged their own application and are very much in a genuine and continuing loving relationship.

They just didn’t know how to put their application together in a way that showed Immigration this. You see, Immigration makes a decision about a visa based on laws and regulations, which means that there are certain things that they’re looking for in the application to satisfy them that you’re relationship is the type of relationship that’s suitable for a partner visa to be granted.

Could these couples have avoided a visa refusal?

In many cases, yes, through better understanding and planning how to demonstrate they meet the legislative requirements. In an effort to save money, couples often head down the partner visa journey with little to no professional advice or support. Instead, they rely on blogs and Facebook forums from people who have very little experience.

They’ve just lodged their own application!

Now, every partner visa relationship is different, and therefore the evidence and documentation need to be tailored to suit your individual circumstances. What was convincing in one couple’s situation may not be a fit for yours.

So in short, yes, a partner visa can be refused.

How do you avoid it?

Get professional advice and some level of support. Don’t risk your $7,700 and most importantly, don’t risk your future together with your partner.

Need more help? Freedom Migration is happy to lend a helping hand. For more information visit our Partner Visa FAQ and Partner Visa Pathways. Need some advice? Contact us.

IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.