Changes to Public Interest Criteria for all Family Visas Stream

If you are applying for a Family Stream visa (including the Prospective Marriage visa) then you need to be aware of the new Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 being implemented. The changes will apply to you if you have applied for a Family Steam visa prior to 1 July 2013 and it has not yet been finalised, as well as to all new applications. The PIC4020 will allow a visa to be refused where a bogus document or false or misleading information is provided to the department.

This change has come about as a result of numerous instances of fraud being detected in Family Stream visa applications. In particular, false or misleading information relating to family composition, claims of partner relationships and claimed ages of applicants. The main aim of the PIC4020 is to provide a strong disincentive for applicants attempting to provide bogus, false, or misleading information in visa applications.

Visas included in the Family Visas Stream include:

  • Onshore: Partner Temporary Visa (Subclass 820) and Permanent (subclass 801)
  • Offshore: Partner Temporary Visa (Subclass 309) and Permanent (subclass 100)
  • Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
  • Parent and Child Visas

If you have any concerns relating to Family Stream visas and/or the PIC4020 changes, please contact a member of our migration team.

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