Warning for Skilled Migration Applicants: The Hidden Danger of Not Declaring a Marriage

If you’ve applied for an Australian Skilled Migration visa (Subclass 491, 189, or 190), here’s something you must read carefully. Many applicants are falling into a serious trap that can cost them their visa — and possibly their future migration chances.

When you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in Skill Select, you claim points for your circumstances at that time — including your relationship status. Applicants who declare themselves single receive 10 additional points. However, if you get married or enter a de-facto relationship after receiving your invitation, things become very complicated.

Here’s where the problem lies:

• If you inform Home Affairs after lodging the visa application that you are now married, your visa will most likely be refused, because the 10 points you claimed for being single are no longer valid.
• If you don’t inform Home Affairs, and the Department later discovers your marriage, your visa will be refused under Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020) for giving false or misleading information. This can also lead to a three- to ten-year visa ban.

The Department of Home Affairs has advanced systems to detect undisclosed information — including data matching, social media reviews, and record cross-checks. It’s simply not worth the risk.

If you have already applied for a skilled visa and your relationship status has changed, you should immediately seek professional advice before taking any action.

At our agency, we’ve seen how one uninformed decision can undo years of effort. Honesty and timely communication with your migration agent are essential to protect your eligibility.

Bottom line: If you’ve claimed single points, remain single until your visa is granted — or get expert advice before making any life changes.

Transparency today can save your migration dream tomorrow.

From

Owlet Migration & Education Consulting