Form 888

Form 888 is a crucial document utilized in the Australian immigration process, specifically for those applying for a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa.

This form serves as a statutory declaration made by a supporting witness who can vouch for the relationship between the visa applicant and their partner or fiancé(e).

Detailed Overview of Form 888

• The form is designed to be filled out by an individual who has personal knowledge of the visa applicant, their partner or fiancé(e), and is familiar with the history and dynamics of their relationship.
• The individual completing the form should be at least 18 years of age to ensure they are legally capable of providing such a declaration.
• Furthermore, this individual must either be an Australian citizen or someone who holds permanent residency in Australia.

Primary Objective of Form 888

• The main purpose of this form is to assist in the evaluation process of specific visa applications, namely the Partner visa categories 309/100 and 820/801, as well as the Prospective Marriage visa category 300.
• The Department of Home Affairs, which oversees immigration matters in Australia, relies on the information provided in Form 888 to delve into the social nuances and aspects of the relationship being claimed by the visa applicant.

Eligibility to Witness and Validate Form 888

A variety of professionals and individuals in authoritative positions are eligible to act as witnesses for Form 888. This includes:

• Justices of the Peace
• Medical doctors
• Lawyers
• Civil marriage celebrants or ministers of religion who are registered
• Dentists
• Registered nurses
• Optometrists
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Teachers who hold permanent positions, whether full-time or part-time, in educational institutions
• Bank officers with a service history of 5 years or more
• Permanent employees of the Australian Postal Corporation with a continuous service record of 5 years or more
• Police officers
• Public servants who have been engaged continuously for 5 years or more.

For a comprehensive list of all eligible witnesses, one can refer to the Attorney-General’s Department website.

Special Provisions for Non-Australian Residents

• For those who aren’t Australian citizens or permanent residents and are residing outside of Australia, there are specific provisions. While their statement, even if made using Form 888, won’t be recognized as a statutory declaration under Australian law, it still holds value. Such statements should be witnessed or certified as per the legal norms and practices of the country in which the statement is made.

Examples and Scenarios for Form 888

1. The form may require the declarant to elucidate how they came to know the visa applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), and describe the frequency and nature of their interactions.
2. The declarant might also be asked to provide their personal opinion on the authenticity and continuity of the relationship between the applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), substantiating their beliefs with concrete reasons.
3. Additionally, the form provides an opportunity for the declarant to add any other relevant information or anecdotes that might bolster the visa application.

Further Procedures and Information

• It’s worth noting that during the visa application process, the applicant might be asked to furnish up to three separate declarations using Form 888.
• Post submission, there’s a possibility that the declarant might be contacted for additional information, or even an interview, pertaining to the statements made in Form 888.
• In scenarios where an individual is sponsoring someone for a Partner visa, it’s imperative that the sponsor remains consistent. This means that the sponsor for a temporary partner visa should be the same individual sponsoring for the subsequent stages, and they should maintain their marital or de facto relationship status with the applicant.

In essence, Form 888 plays a pivotal role in the Australian immigration process, acting as a testament to the legitimacy and depth of relationships for visa considerations.