Many people quit applying for a partner visa in Australia, not because they are ineligible, but because the paperwork and bureaucracy are just so confusing. That’s why having legal professionals like partner visa lawyers make your case instead is a good idea. However, success using this strategy requires you to work effectively with them. Here are some tips on how to do that, so you can reunite with your partner as quickly as possible.
1. Choose the Right Specialist
There are various types of immigration lawyers in Australia, and while they’ll all be able to help you to some degree, not all specialise in partner visas. Some are specialists in other areas, like working visas, while others are generalists. For the most effective working relationship, choose a specialist focusing on partner or family visas. Try to find out about their experience and success rate, and take a look at reviews or testimonials before choosing.
2. Be Honest and Transparent
You’ll need to give your lawyer the full picture of your situation in order for them to help you to the best of their ability. Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear if you can’t back it up with evidence. Partner visa lawyers, like all legal professionals, are held to strict ethical standards. Bending the truth or lying in order to secure their clients’ visas is not what they do.
3. Organise Your Documents
Helping out and organising paperwork is one of the primary reasons for using a legal practitioner during your application. However, that doesn’t mean you should just give them every vaguely relevant document you have and let them sift through it. Your application will be smoother and quicker if you get your supporting paperwork organised beforehand. Your lawyer should help you prepare a checklist of everything they need to help you.
4. Be On the Ball When It Comes To Communication
Before you begin work with your lawyer, agree on channels of communication and response times. Then, stick to them. If the authorities require more information from you, there’s usually a short deadline attached, so check regularly for messages from your lawyer and respond to them as quickly as possible. You should also update them immediately if anything changes about your relationship or circumstances, so they can update your application if necessary and avoid future conflicts.
5. Stay Calm and Composed
Partner visa lawyers act as messengers between your family and the Australian government, and there may be times when they have to report bad news about your application. Partner visa cases are often emotionally charged, and delays and problems can be devastating to hear about, but it’s important to remain calm and professional when communicating with your lawyer. You should also avoid impulsive decisions like trying to go around them to speak to officials directly.
Conclusion
Partner visa lawyers can be of great assistance during the application process for an Australian partner visa, but the key is to work as a team. They are not there to prepare everything for you, but they will ensure that the information you give them is presented to the government in the best possible light. Respecting these roles is essential for success.