Examples of false statements and bogus documents

As a continuation to the issue of making false statements and the consequences (ie. PIC 4020, and 3 year bans), here are a few of the things we at Down Under Visa have had to deal with lately. No names mentioned, and to anyone who recognises themselves please understand that we’re trying to educate and to prevent others from doing these things.

 

 

Jobs and tourist visas

We had a case where we realised the applicant had lodged a previous tourist visa and claimed she had a job to make herself appear more stable. That’s what that expression “material particular” means (see previous post HERE), ie. that the false statement could influence the decision.

We were about to lodge another application when we realised that she actually was never employed. That meant a false statement was made before, and when they compared the previous application to the current one (which there was a high chance that they would), we had to delay the lodging of the new application until a year has passed since she held the visa.

We had another where she was worried that a short stint at bar-work would make them think badly of her. Fortunately in this case the applicant DID ask me, and I was able to assure her it was not an issue to be concerned about. Caught it before it became a problem!

 

Children

Had another one similar to the above where we discovered when preparing a partner visa application that the applicant had lodged previous tourist visa applications and stated that she had no kids when in fact she did have them. We don’t know for certain whether this was due to thinking they would frown on her as a single mum or because someone had advised her against it. In some cases applicants have tried to hide kids from their sponsor too. In this case it’s meant a long wait before being able to apply.

 

False information on birth certificates

We discovered today that a birth certificate for a child had been submitted with the father’s name omitted, and the details of her marriage omitted. She was married when the child was born, but estranged when the birth was registered (registered very late). She probably thought it was OK because the father was probably not in the picture, however it’s still a false statement. We can’t submit it like that.

 

Can Down Under Visa “look the other way”?

No, definitely not. We have a Code of Conduct for Registered Migration Agents that we work within, and we are required to always act within the law. And we are also required not to knowingly support false statements. Our Registration = our livelihood. We may be very fond of our clients, but we can’t and won’t risk our ability to feed our kids for anybody.

And honestly, even if we were included to “look the other way”, the Embassy are remarkably smart about things like this. And they have agreements with various government departments that allows them to make checks about personal details. Visa application forms contain a box where you give them permission to do this if they feel they need to, so never think you can outsmart them.

 

False statements and bogus documents on visa applications

 

False statements and bogus documents in Australian visa applications are something we come across far too often at Down Under Visa.

Public Interest Criteria 4020 is part of the Migration Regulations (Cth) 1994, and is the law that covers:

• False or misleading statements or information
• Bogus documents

 

Mistakes in your visa application documents? The wrong way!

At Down Under Visa we take mistakes in documents very seriously. We have to! Our job is to manage your Australian visa application, and to see you get a visa grant and be on your way to Australia. Mistakes in documents can lead to serious delays, or worse! If the Case Officer in the Australian Embassy in Manila considers you have made false statements or submitted bogus documents (fake documents) then your visa application may be refused! You may also face a 3 year ban, or even a 10 year ban if they cannot establish your identity.

 

Filling in visa application forms

“We’ve already filled in the forms.”

We at Down Under Visa sometimes hear this from clients, and I have a truthful way of responding. Not very diplomatic, I agree, but truthful all the same. I tell them I’ve never once seen a client complete the application forms for an Australian partner visa application properly.

And are the application forms (40SP and 47SP) the main part of the application? No, not at all. I would say about 5% only. Gathering the correct information and gathering correct supporting documents and solid evidence of your committed relationship, this is where most of the work is done. And this part of the process doesn’t come with written directions that you can download, nor can you get anything of value from the “advice forums” on the web.

And I’ve also never once seen a client come in to the Down Under Visa office with a complete set of documents and relationship evidence either!

False documents in the Philippines – How it usually works

I think you’ve all read my few articles on the Down Under Visa BLOG Page about the risks in making false statements and submitting bogus documents (PIC 4020). Any logical person knows that this is fraud, and especially knows that Australian Government Departments take a dim view of this. Some countries have a fairly relaxed attitude and a certain “moral flexibility”, however Australia is not one of those countries. And the Immigration people are no exception.

One of the problems in the Philippines is that it is difficult for the average Aussie to get their head around bogus documents, because Aussies are not used to this. We’ve seen movies where forgers are men in long coats who hold their meetings in dark alleys. If your Filipina wife or fiancée did not have a meeting down by the waterfront in a dark alley, then the paperwork must be just fine! She got it from the Government office, so surely it must be the real deal!