It is a requirement for the grant of a Prospective Marriage visa that you and your fiance(e) have met in person – before the visa application is lodged.
If you cannot prove to the Immigration Case Officer who is deciding on your application that you have met in person at least once, and that both of you were aged 18 years or older when you last met in person and before the visa application was lodged, the visa application is very likely to be refused unfortunately.
How to prove you have met in person?
There are a number of pieces of evidence that you could potentially use to prove this, including:
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Photographs of the two of you together.
The Importance of photographs
Case Officers are increasingly reluctant to approve Prospective Marriage visa applications without seeing photographs of the couple together – in addition to seeing other types of evidence that the couple have met in person.
So, when you are together, even if it is only once – take photographs! You can use them later as evidence.
Should you meet more than once before lodging the application?
Yes, if you can. However, it is not strictly necessary.
Feel free to contact me if you would like to book a consultation for more information about anything mentioned here.
Regards.
Ross McDougall.
Solicitor / Immigration Lawyer
www.rpmlawyers.com.au
Tel: 08 8528 9187
This information is correct at January 21st, 2022. But, keep in mind that immigration law changes from time to time.
