Heartbroken German woman, 23, begs for special exemption to see her model Australian boyfriend of four months - saying the separation during coronavirus lockdown is giving her 'anxiety and panic attacks'
- Sophia Natter, 23, and Stephen Walker have seen each other in at least a month
- The personal trainer asked border forces to let her in on compassionate ground
- But the application was denied because they only lived together for four months
- Australians are not allowed to leave the country and tourists have been banned
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A heartbroken German woman has begged border forces to let her see her Australian boyfriend after coronavirus travel bans forced them apart.
Fitness instructor Sophia Natter, 23, and Stephen Walker, who works as an actor and model in Perth, have not been able to see each other for almost a month since Australian borders were closed to all non-residents in May.
While the couple appealed to the Australian Border Force Commission for special exemptions on compassionate grounds - claiming the separation had brought on anxiety and panic attacks - their application was knocked back.
Desperate for help, Ms Natter issued a final plea to social media users in a private Facebook group asking for advice.
Sophia Natter, 23, and Stephen Walker have not been able to see each other in almost a month since Australian borders were closed to all non-residents in May
Sophia Natter issued a final plea to social media users in a private Facebook group asking for advice
'To everyone with an Australian boyfriend/girlfriend,' she wrote.
'Australia offers an application for an exemption based on different reasons. One of the reasons is that you live in a de facto relationship with an Australian.'
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Ms Natter explained the couple provided chat histories, letters, photos, shared bank account details and declarations from friends and family in their application to try prove the authenticity of their relationship.
She also included letters from doctors and psychologists stating that the pair were each suffering 'decreasing mental health' due to the separation - but it wasn't enough.
Ms Natter explained the couple provided chat histories, letters, photos, shared bank account details to try prove the authenticity of their relationship
'Australian Border Force Commission [said] the documents aren't sufficient ... and that our massively decreasing health (anxiety, panic attacks) are also not sufficient to to get approved [on] compassionate grounds.'
Ms Natter included a screenshot of the rejection email from Australian border forces.
'I am not satisfied that you are an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident or that your circumstances are compassionate or compelling to warrant further consideration at this time,' the letter read.
'Therefore, you will not be able to travel until travel restrictions are lifted.'
Concerned Facebook users jumped to her aid, but many pointed out that the government requires couples to have been living together for at least two consecutive years to be considered de facto.
'Do you have a current/valid Australian visa? How long have you lived together in a relationship?' one woman asked.
The couple, who share a dog, have only lived together for four months. Australian laws require de facto couples to live together for at least two years
'Unfortunately not. And the other sad part is we have only lived together for four months in total. We are aware that this minimizes our chances but wanted to try it anyway,' she replied.
'As there is no marriage and no children involved, unfortunately it would be you go to the back of the queue as far as priorities go. Maybe he needs to apply to go to you and see how that works out,' another suggested.
Ms Natter explained marriage was a long term plan for the couple, but that they hoped to at least see each other again in the short term.
Another user suggested hiring an immigration lawyer, while someone else added a link to the hookup app Tinder.
While the couple plan on marrying in future, they hope to see each other again beforehand
On Wednesday, Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said national borders won't open to tourists until next year.
'Having international border restrictions in place has probably been the most important decision we took to keep Australia safe from COVID-19,' Mr Birmingham told Today.
'In terms of letting tourism and travel just open up freely again, I think that's quite some way off.'
Australians have also been banned from leaving the country without an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
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