Preparing a timeline of significant events that have occurred in the relationship
An important step before facing the Tribunal as a part of your partner visa appeal includes preparing a detailed timeline of significant events that have occurred during your relationship. In fact, this type of evidence is one example of what the Tribunal consider to be one of the most helpful pieces of information to give to them. [1]
What significant events do I include?
Give some thought to what makes your relationship unique or that really demonstrates that you see your relationship as genuine and continuing. What can you provide to the Tribunal that coincides with the significant events on your timeline? Maybe you have an increase in spending. You may have medical records to show the emotional support you have provided to one another throughout your relationship.
Keep in mind the Tribunal will also have on file all the evidence you provided to the Department when you applied for the visa. Useful information to include in your timeline, especially if this is not clear to the Department, could include:
Intro: How you came to meet
How the relationship developed
An explanation about when the relationship become a commitment
What significant events occurred during the timeline of your relationship
Any difficult moments that you have encountered personally or as couple during the timeline of your relationship.
In preparing your timeline of significant events, you may find that you remember many celebrations, occasions and one-off experiences you shared together. Any evidence and documentation you may have that helps to present that information to the Tribunal will be beneficial.
It is not uncommon for relationships to have periods that involve; living apart from one another or periods where you haven’t been able to communicate as frequently, that led to a lack of evidence about your regular communication. Sometimes explaining these gaps is just critical as providing evidence of other important aspects of your relationship.
If you need assistance to explain the ins and outs of your relationship, the ups and downs, highs and lows then book an appointment to speak to an experienced partner visa lawyer.
