Providing altered, edited, or digitally manipulated documents, including photographs, for visa application purposes is unlawful.
As a visa applicant, you must provide genuine, verifiable and unaltered documents and information. This includes photographs, videos or audio files you provide with your application.
Do not modify or create documents using digital editing tools, artificial intelligence (AI), or any other method. Do not misrepresent the information provided to the Department.
Providing
bogus documents or information that is false and misleading may lead to refusal of your application, cancellation of your visa, restrictions on future applications, and possible legal action.
Be aware that section 234 of the
Migration Act 1958, a person commits an offence if they present, or arrange for the presentation of, false or forged documents to a person performing functions under the Act. This applies to matters about the entry, proposed entry, immigration clearance, or visa application of a non-citizen (including the person themself).
The penalty is 10 years' imprisonment or 1000 penalty units, or both. Furthermore, section 137.1 of the
Criminal Code Act 1995 provides it is an offence to give false or misleading information to a Commonwealth entity. The penalty is imprisonment for 12 months.
To avoid these unfavourable consequences always provide original and authentic documents when interacting with the Department.
