Personal Statements

for Partner Visas

As at 2024, partner visa personal statements remain vital documents that hold significant importance in the visa application process. These statements offer individuals an opportunity to provide details that the documentary evidence might not, and tie all their supporting documents together.

Crafting a genuine personal statement can really strengthen your application, emphasizing the authenticity and strength of their relationship as well as the couples’ commitment to building a life together. Partner visa personal statements hold great importance in presenting a comprehensive picture of the relationship, ultimately enhancing the likelihood of a successful visa outcome.

FAQs

What is a personal statement for a partner visa application?

A personal statement for a partner visa application is a written document that applicants submit to demonstrate the authenticity and commitment of their relationship with their Australian partner.

This statement provides a detailed account of the couple's relationship history, how they met, their current circumstances, and future plans. It serves as a critical component of the visa application, helping immigration authorities assess the genuine nature of the relationship.

You may also hear this referred to as a Partner Visa Relationship Statement; a relationship statement; a partner visa statement; a relationship history; de facto relationship summary; marriage history; etc.

Do I need to refer to every document I am providing with my application, in my personal statement?

The personal statement should complement the supporting documents, providing context and a personal narrative. While you don't need to provide a detailed reference to every single document, it can be helpful to mention and briefly explain the key pieces of evidence that support your claims in the personal statement - especially if a piece of evidence doesn’t explain itself. For example a joint account used regularly would be self explanatory, but an invoice for a piece of furniture might not be so clear so it is best to explain how the furniture/invoice is relevant to your applciation.

What is the best format? Should it be a written statement or statutory declaration? Should it be handwritten of typed?

It can generally be any format - whichever you are most comfortable with as this will help to create a well thought out statement (eg if you are a slow typer, hand write the statement so you don’t get sick of typing and quit early).

For second stage partner visas, the DHA require a statutory declaration from the sponsor so we often suggest both applicant and sponsor provide a statutory declaration for ease and to avoid confusion. However, for the first stage application this isn’t necessary so unless there is something important that needs to be confirmed in statutory declaration format, a signed and dated relationship statement is usually perfectly fine and a statutory declaration is not necessary..

Can we write a combined statement or can I write both and just have my partner sign theirs?

In our opinion, the applicant and sponsor should each provide a statement in their own words. The best statements are those that are genuine and paint a clear picture of the relationship that is consistent with the other evidence provided. You can nearly always tell when one partner has written both statements and it comes of as disingenuous. A disingenuous statement wouldn’t add any strength to your application (it may even detract from it) and is generally a waste of the writers time and a lost opportunity for your application.

What do I write in a personal statement?

The personal statements always seem daunting, but getting started is the hardest part. Once you get started, it gets easier as it is a topic (we hope) you should know plenty about - you’ve lived it after all.

Tell the reader how you met, your first dates, when you moved in, the engagement story, the ups and the downs.

Below is a sample template that can be used as a great starting point. The prompts may seem simple, but by breaking it down into these sections it makes it so much easier to provide the relevant information and lay it out clearly for the case officer..

The length of each section will differ depending on the circumstances of the couple..

Remember that the personal statement is a critical part of your partner visa application, so take your time to provide a clear, detailed, and honest account of your relationship. If you have specific questions or concerns, consider seeking guidance from a migration agent or lawyer who can provide tailored advice for your unique circumstances.

SAMPLE GUIDE/TEMPLATE

Personal Statement

Our Relationship

Explain how you met and the development of your relationship. Include details of when you decided to get married or move in together.

Our Household

Provide a description of your domestic life together. Outline any joint responsibility for the care and support of children, your living arrangements and sharing of the responsibility for housework. If you aren’t currently living together, you should explain this (we would encourage you to get a professional advice, especially in situations where you are living apart).

Financial Responsibilities

In this section, you can outline how you have combined your financial responsibilities. There are many arrangements that are dependant on the circumstances of the couple. If this has changed throughout your relationship, describe the changes and how you have supported each other.

Social aspects of our relationship

Detail how you present yourselves as a de facto or married couple, and how that is recognised by your friends and family. Detail what you like to do together socially and any holidays or travels you have taken together.

Our commitment to each other

Outline your commitment to each other, including any future plans and any challenges you may have faced as a couple.

Be sure to include your full name, date of the statement and signature.