The never ending list of Partner Visa forms continues. As you would already know by now, there are lots of different forms you may need to complete as part of your Partner Visa. I’m going to talk about Form 956 and Form 956A, and who might need to complete these as part of their application.
Form 956 and 956A – what are they?
These are non essential forms (unlike the Form 47SP and 40SP), but depending on your circumstances you may need to provide one.
The Form 956A gives someone the authority to act on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs. It’s best used in situations where the visa applicant wants someone else to manage their visa application. Perhaps if you’re not great with checking your emails, aren’t confident with English language skills or just want to hand the application to someone else to manage for you then this form would be used.
I would mostly see Applicants use this form to have their sponsor manage the application, or they might nominate a friend, family member or someone from their community. By doing so, you as the applicant would be agreeing that another person (who you nominate) is going to manage all the communication with the Department of Home Affairs. It can be particularly useful if English is not your first language.
The Form 956 serves a similar purpose, but the difference is that the Form 956 is specifically for a Migration Agent or Legal Practitioner. So if you have a Migration Agent or Legal Practitioner acting on your behalf, then a Form 956 will be required. By completing this form, you are giving them legal authority to speak with immigration and liaise on your behalf.
The Form 956 is also used to withdraw an authority. For example, if you were previously using a Migration Agent or Legal Practitioner and no longer require their services.
Can I authorise my Partner to receive correspondence on my behalf?
Yes! If you are more comfortable with your Partner managing your application, then you should complete a Form 956A.
Will I need a Form 956 or Form 956A?
This is something for you to think about depending on whether you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above around nominating someone to act on your behalf.
I do normally recommend that a Form 956A is used for Applicants who may not be proficient in English and may not understand communication being sent to them by Home Affairs. In my experience, Immigration may call you and speak to you in a different language, if you have nominated on the Form 47SP that you need an interpreter, however most of the correspondence from Immigration is via email and the vast majority of communication is also by email.
Or you might just want someone else to manage the application for you because you don’t like paperwork or don’t check your emails frequently enough.
Either way, don’t forget to complete one of these forms if it applies to you.
IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.
