I Did Not Disclose That I Am “In a Relationship”—Can I Add My Partner as a Dependent on My Student Visa (SC 500)?

Many international students in Australia consider adding their partner as a dependent to their current Student Visa (Subclass 500) to stay together during their studies. However, a question often been brought up: I didn’t disclose my relationship status initially, can I still include my partner later?

Why Is It Important to Disclose in Visa Applications?

When applying for a Student Visa (SC500), applicants are required to provide complete and accurate information, including whether they are in a relationship and if they plan to include a partner as a dependent. Failure to disclose this information may affect future visa applications.

How Nondisclosure Can Affect Yours and Your Partner’s Visa Application?

If you did not declare to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) of your relationship status in your initial SC500 visa application and have submitted your partner’s SC500 visa application as a dependent, your current SC500 visa may be flagged by DoHA and may be at risk of visa cancellation due to Public Interest Criteria (PIC) 4020. If an applicant provided false or misleading information or bogus document(s) in their visa application, PIC4020 may apply to refuse or cancel their visa application and restrict applicants to be granted with a visa for 3 years and may increase up to 10 years.

If you attempt to add your partner as a dependent after the initial applications without prior disclosure, the partner’s visa application may be refused. The primary reason is that all relevant facts, including relationship status, must be disclosed and truthful.

What Happens if You Did Not Disclose the Relationship Status Initially?

Your partner’s SC500 visa application may be refused, which then will affect future visa applications.
Your current SC500 visa may be at risk of cancellation due to nondisclosure of your relationship status.

To avoid the risks of refusal or cancellation, consult with an experience immigration lawyer. They can advise on your specific situation, how best to proceed and whether you can include your partner without jeopardising your and your partner’s visa.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Assist

Disclosing your relationship status may seem like an insignificant information for your visa application, however, if you do have plans to bring your partner to Australia using your visa, it is something that you will have to think twice and get advice before taking any action. Consult with one of our immigration lawyers at AHC Lawyers to help you achieve your objective. Our team of immigration lawyers works together with two of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law who specialise in highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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