Family of the visa applicant’s de facto partner completing a form 888
When completing a form 888, the family members of the visa applicant’s de facto partner can sometimes – incorrectly – describe themselves as the visa applicant’s ‘Mother in Law’, or ‘Brother in Law’, etc.
If the visa applicant and their sponsor were legally married, this description would be correct.
However, for de facto couples, the description is incorrect – as they are not legally married.
Therefore, when in a de facto relationship, your de facto partner’s mother (for example) is best to describe herself on the Form 888 as the ‘the applicant’s de facto partner’s mother’, rather than ‘the applicant’s Mother in Law’.
Whilst this may seem a minor thing, it’s best to get it correct.
How to refer to the applicant and sponsor on the Form 888
Partner visas can only be granted to spouses (legally married) or to de facto partners.
So, people completing Form 888s should avoid referring to partners as, for example, boyfriend/girlfriend.
For married couples, refer to each of the couple as Husband / Wife.
For de facto couples, refer to each of the couple as ‘de facto partners’.
Feel free to contact me if you would like to book a consultation for more information about anything mentioned here.
Regards.
Ross McDougall.
Immigration Lawyer & Solicitor.
This information is correct on November 18th, 2024. But keep in mind that immigration law changes from time to time.
